Working as a Heating Professional Can Lead to Success

3 Unusual Signs Of A Refrigerant Leak

21 November 2022

Abbie Wade

Your air conditioner can't run without refrigerant, but this critical fluid can behave unusually. HVAC technicians spend significant time and effort learning about the refrigerant cycle because diagnosing refrigerant problems isn't always straightforward. Unlike the fluids in your car, you can't simply check a dipstick to determine if your air conditioner needs more refrigerant.

A frozen evaporator coil is the most common symptom of a refrigerant leak, but this obvious sign isn't the only indication of trouble. If you think your home's air conditioning system may be leaking, keep an eye out for these three unusual signs of refrigerant loss.

1. Tripping Breakers

Home air conditioning systems typically work on their dedicated circuit, so you can usually be sure that your air conditioning system is to blame if its breaker trips. However, there are numerous reasons why an AC breaker may trip, ranging from wiring faults to failing compressors. Surprisingly, refrigerant leaks are another potential cause.

When refrigerant pressure drops, liquid refrigerant is likely to return to the compressor. Since the liquid refrigerant is incompressible, the compressor will struggle and may draw excessive current before its safety triggers and shuts down. As a result, the breaker for your air conditioner's circuit may trip. With refrigerant leaks, the breaker will most likely trip after the system has been running for a while.

2. Odds Sounds or Odors

Refrigerant exists as either a liquid or a vapor within your refrigerant lines, but most refrigerants will enter a vaporous state once exposed to typical atmospheric conditions. Since liquid refrigerant will vaporize as it exits through a leak in the line set or a coil, you may hear a slight hissing as it escapes. A noticeable hissing often indicates a significant refrigerant leak.

Odors are another potential symptom of refrigerant, although it's unlikely your system will release enough refrigerant to be detectable anywhere except close to the leak. If you can smell an unusually sweet odor close to your AC equipment (you won't smell it near your vents), that's likely to be a sign of a major refrigerant leak.

3. Cold, Humid Air

While low refrigerant levels will reduce your system's ability to keep your home cool, reduced refrigerant pressure actually decreases the temperature at the evaporator coil. This reduced temperature will eventually cause the coil to freeze and the compressor to shut down or trip a breaker. However, it can also briefly reduce temperatures at your supply vents.

In addition to creating a briefly colder supply of air, you may also notice increased humidity due to ice build-up on the evaporator. Short cycling, accompanied by cold and damp air, is a solid indication that your air conditioning system is suffering from a refrigerant leak.

For more information on air conditioning repair, contact a professional near you.

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