Are you experiencing nausea or shortness of breath? Is there a sweet smell in your house?
A faulty AC could be to blame. If you have an AC freon leak, it can cause damage to your physical health and the environment.
Learn some of the common signs of a leak and how to detect them. Once you’ve discovered a problem, call an AC repair company to protect your family’s health. This is a contributed post.
Understanding Freon Leaks
Freon is a kind of coolant used in air conditioners. While it is incredibly effective at cooling homes, freon is gradually getting phased out because of its impact on the ozone layer. If you notice signs of an AC freon leak, you should get professional air conditioning repair services before you start using your equipment again.
An AC freon leak can damage your family’s physical health in many ways.
● Breathing problems
● Vomiting
● Fainting
● Skin irritation
● Organ damage
Identifying the Smell of Freon
What does freon smell like? You may have an AC freon leak if you notice a sweet smell like chloroform. Some people also say the freon leak smell is like the scent of radiator fluid.
It’s important to identify this smell quickly because chronic freon exposure can be dangerous. Because freon is heavier than air, the scent may rapidly disperse as it sinks to the ground. Once you notice the scent of freon, it’s important to get AC repair services right away.
Common Causes of Freon Leaks
Unfortunately, many different problems can lead to freon leaks. If you notice a freon leak smell, it may be due to one of the following causes.
● Wear and Tear: There are rubber seals on your AC’s valve stems that can become worn and leak freon.
● Improper Installation: If the AC isn’t installed properly, you may need emergency air conditioner repair services to fix a freon leak.
● Corrosion: The metal can become corroded over time, which can lead to small, pinpoint holes.
● Factory Defects: Sometimes, leaks happen because something wasn’t installed, manufactured, or tightened properly at the factory.
● Leaky Evaporator Coils: The evaporator coil is a very common cause of freon leaks. Typically, small leaks start to develop because of corrosion.
How to Detect a Freon Leak
If you think you might have a leak, you should call an AC repair company right away. An HVAC company can perform an inspection and air conditioner repairs at your home. More importantly, they have special tools they can use for detecting a leak.
To detect a leak on your own, use the following checklist.
● Do you notice any hissing sounds?
● Is there ice buildup on the evaporator coils?
● Does your air conditioner stay on longer to keep your home cool?
● Is the air conditioner blowing warm air?
● Can you smell a chloroform-like, sweet odor?
● Is the cooling efficiency lower?
If you notice any of these signs, you may need the help of an air conditioner repair company. You can confirm the presence of a leak by mixing dish soap with warm water in a spray bottle. After spraying it on the AC’s refrigerant system, look for bubbles. The presence of any bubbles means there is a leak.
Immediate Actions to Take When a Leak is Detected
Breathing freon is dangerous, so you shouldn’t run a unit that has an AC freon leak. Instead, turn off your AC and unplug it. You should get children and pets out of the house. Open windows to let the gas escape.
Once you have made sure your family is safe, turned off the air conditioner, and ventilated the area, call an HVAC company for professional emergency air conditioner repair services. Until the AC has been completely repaired, it can’t be used.
Why Professional Repair is Essential
Professional air conditioner repair is important for your family’s health and safety. If a freon leak isn’t repaired properly, it can end up damaging your health and well-being.
A DIY repair attempt may not fix the leak properly. Additionally, there may be more than one leak. When pinpoint leaks are involved, finding each leak’s location can be challenging.
Because of this, you should never try repairing your AC on your own. A faulty repair or missed leak can lead to major health issues, so you should always reach out to an HVAC technician for help. Other than preventing damage to your health or the AC, you need an HVAC technician because they’re able to handle freon properly.
Preventing Future Freon Leaks
In the future, there are a few steps you can take to prevent a freon leak.
● Routine Maintenance: Through regular maintenance, you can protect your AC from damage.
● Timely Repairs: Additionally, your HVAC technician will inspect the AC for signs of wear and tear, so you can fix your AC instead of waiting for it to break down.
● Quality Components: To avoid repair issues, choose quality components for any repair work.
● Refrigerant Charging: Call an HVAC technician to recharge your refrigerant levels. When the level is too high or low, it can damage your system.
Get Help With AC Repairs
If you notice signs of an AC freon leak, it’s important to call for AC repair services quickly. You don’t want an ongoing leak to harm your family’s health and safety. Through air conditioner repair services, you can keep your AC in top condition.