Updated: April 3, 2024
You’ve come across an unfortunate dilemma: your air conditioner stops cooling. You then call your HVAC contractor for air conditioning repairs in the Atlanta Metro area to easily solve the issue until he says your unit is low on refrigerant. In many cases, low coolant is due to a leak. What’s your best solution here?
The heating and cooling experts from Precision Heating & Air break down what to expect if your air conditioner has a refrigerant leak.
Common Refrigerant Leak Signs
First, it’s always good to know for sure if a refrigerant leak is the source of the problem.
Here are some signs indicating the problem:
- Your house takes a long time to cool off
- Water has accumulated on the floor by your furnace
- Expensive electricity bills
- Ice has built up on copper lines
Temporary AC Fix
After further inspection, you have weighed the options and established there is indeed a leak. A technician could use sealant and then add more refrigerant. While sealant can be effective for small leaks, this is usually a temporary fix and will not help long-term. Sealers can also create openings and blocked passages in the system, so this is not the ideal course of action.
Age of AC Unit
The age of your system needs to first be considered when deciding if it’s time for a new air conditioner replacement. The average unit lasts about 10 years. If this applies to your system, investing in repairing or replacing parts is not the best option as it could be more expensive over time. The older your system is, the more cost-effective it will be to repair it.
Refrigerant Types
The type of refrigerant your AC uses is also important to note. This depends on the age of your air conditioning unit. If your unit is older, it likely uses R-22. This refrigerant is extremely expensive and is currently being phased out for R-401A, a more environmentally friendly refrigerant. Adding the older R-22 refrigerant as a temporary fix is so expensive that it typically makes more sense to replace your old AC unit with a newer and more efficient system.
When to Replace Your AC
Overall, if your unit is over 10 years old and it has a leak, replacing it at that point is the best alternative.
Along with unit age and refrigerant leaks, here are some other signs that can help you determine whether it’s time to replace your system:
- The unit is running longer than it should achieve a comfortable temperature in your home. This can also result in expensive electricity bills.
- The unit is making unusual noises. This could be due to inside parts breaking down or a problem with the duct system and/or indoor coil.
- The unit is getting recurring repairs.
AC Repair & Replacement in Atlanta Metro Area
Any problem with your unit, like refrigerant leaks, should never be ignored as this can cause damage to your unit as well as to the environment.
To put your mind at ease, contact us the team at Precision Heating & Air to schedule an inspection and to help you determine if your AC system needs to be replaced. Your technician will examine the unit and ensure that the chosen solution matches your needs.
