3 Signs to Know You Are Low on Freon

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Several processes occur for the air conditioning system to cool or heat your house. For a successful cycle, many components are required to function correctly. One such component is the condenser. This unit is responsible for supplying condensed refrigerant from the compressor by heat transfer to cool indoor air. This shows that the refrigerant, or Freon, is a critical component that should always be in top-notch condition.

R-22, R-12, and several others are examples of these refrigerants. Freon is a brand name that acts as an umbrella to these different types of refrigerants. Given the importance of Freon, a leak or contamination will have adverse effects on the AC system. But how can you tell if the AC has leaked off or is tainted?

Why Low Freon Is a Big Problem

As the Freon undergoes cycles between liquid and gaseous states, it should remain at a constant level referred to as the Freon charge. Freon does not get used up, but its level can reduce due to leakages. A low refrigerant charge could be a predecessor to bigger AC problems. 

A low Freon charge can lead to compressor damage and overall inefficiencies of the air conditioning unit. This problem happens when the low refrigerant causes freezing on the evaporator coils. Eventually, the ice build-up leads to the insulation of the coils and slows the cooling process. As a result, the compressor uses more effort to compress air, which damages its motor.

Given that the compressor is considered the most crucial component of the AC system, its damage means a setback to air conditioning. However, this doesn’t mean you will need to replace your air conditioning unit entirely. After looking at what causes Freon leaks, we will learn how to prevent compressor damage.

Causes of Refrigerant Leaks

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Several problems usually cause freon leaks, and the age of the AC is one of them. As the compressor unit ages, the evaporator coils tend to get rusty on the assembly joints. Subsequently, the coolant will leak when flowing through these coils. Also, a naturally occurring acid called formic develops on the coils’ outer surface, thereby destroying the tubing with pinholes. Freon escapes through these pinholes leading to a low Freon charge. Over time, an AC that runs on low Freon will utilize more power, attracting high utility bills.

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Signs That Your AC Is Low on Freon

Basic AC troubleshooting skills are necessary to help you diagnose the unit and avoid huge repair costs. Equally, knowing when the Freon is low will help you take the desired action fast and avoid secondary AC problems. 

Although not always guaranteed, there are common signs that reveal when the Freon is low or contaminated. Let’s look at them in more detail.

1. Your AC is blowing hot instead of cold air

AC units perform optimally when the required Freon charge is kept constant. If the level drops, cooling will not occur, forcing the air vents to blow room temperature air into the house. Even though several reasons can cause this problem, low Freon largely contributes to it. So, before concluding that it’s due to low Freon, check thermostat settings, air filters, and registers. 

2. The coils are frosting over, and you hear dripping

As we saw earlier, low refrigerant causes heat insulation when cold air gets frozen on the condenser coils. This happens because the compressor lacks enough refrigerant to compress, leading to cold refrigerant. The cold Freon attracts moisture which freezes up. The dripping you hear occurs when Freon temperatures rise, and the frozen air starts forming liquid water.

3. Hissing sounds from the refrigerant line 

This one is pretty obvious. The hissing sounds are a result of the gaseous Freon escaping the system. These sounds could be low or high depending on your proximity to the system and the leakage level. One on hand, the leaking is confirmed, and, on the other hand, it’s alarming and requires swift action.

How to Handle Freon Leaks

Although approved Freon compounds are not dangerous, they need special handling from certified and experienced HVAC technicians. These specialists will assess the situation and come up with the best cause of action. Remember that Freon is an expensive compound, so you wouldn’t want to take chances. Are you experiencing the above signs? At Anthem Air, we deal with cases like low Freon leaks regularly. Therefore, we have the experience and capability to handle coolant leaks and other AC problems. Contact us, and we will be happy to help you.

Why Is My Air Conditioner Blowing Warm Air?

Why is my AC blowing warm air?

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Your AC blowing warm air on a hot summer afternoon is one of the most common air conditioning challenges. It happens at the most unexpected times, and it can be a precursor to a much bigger AC problem. Therefore, it should not be ignored. Better yet, you should strive to prevent it from happening in the first place. If it does happen, you need an urgent solution that is inexpensive and effective. While it’s possible to fix AC not blowing cold air by yourself, it’s always recommended to consult with an HVAC technician. But first, let’s first look into what’s making the air conditioner struggle to blow cold air. 

Reasons Why the Air Conditioner Is Blowing Warm Air

There are many reasons why your AC is blowing warm air,  but there are a few basic situations that lead to this problem. These are: the AC is running but not cooling the house, the AC is running but blowing warm air, or the AC is not running at all.

Scenario 1: The AC Is Running but Not Cooling the House

For air conditioning units that contain an outdoor unit, this scenario occurs when the unit is blocked or clogged. Since the unit is sucking air from the sides, it tends to suck up the surrounding materials. This is what leads to blockage. Subsequently, the clog prevents the condenser fan from drawing air into the condenser, pulling heat from the interior. This process is essential and works to lower the temperature of the air circulating in the house.

How To Fix This:

In this scenario, the condenser is usually clogged with dirt, leaves, or debris. As you might have guessed, the obvious solution is cleaning. Mild dirt and debris can easily be cleaned with flowing water and a hose. First, switch off the power supply from the switch located near the condenser. Then proceed to spray water from the inside out until the condenser fins are free of the clogging material.

Scenario 2: The AC Is Running but Blowing Warm Air

The primary function of an air conditioning unit is to regulate the indoor air temperature of the room. In most cases, this regulation involves cooling indoor air when the temperature is too high. It gets to a point when the AC is blowing warm air instead of cold, raising the heat inside your home. Unless you have a reversible air conditioner that provides heating and cooling solutions, you don’t want this to happen. But when it does, there are several reasons. These are:

  1. Incorrect thermostat setting. A manual thermostat usually requires adjusting when there is a temperature change. When these settings aren’t toggled appropriately, it can mess up the AC cycle. 
  2. A power problem. At times, cables get unplugged, and switches get flipped. 
  3. Low refrigerant. Refrigerant is responsible for the cooling properties of your entire AC unit. When it’s low, it causes pressure in the evaporator coils to drop, thus forming ice on the coils.
  4. Dirty air filters. Air filters found on the air vents accumulate all sorts of foreign material that eventually limit airflow in the house.
  5. Blocked air registers and return vents. When there is not enough air flowing inside the house, the AC will blow in hot air.

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How To Fix This:

Adjusting temperature readings and modes on the thermostat is a good place to start. Alternatively, you can switch from a manual to an automatic thermostat that will adjust itself accordingly. Also, make sure connectors and switches are turned on. Then, change the air filters regularly and keep return vents open when needed. Last, call a qualified technician to fix the refrigerant leak and inspect other causes of the AC blowing hot air. 

Scenario 3: The AC Not Running Completely

This is another cause of the AC not blowing cold air. Where this is a more uncommon scenario, it can happen for a number of reasons. Your AC might be experiencing a maintenance problem that requires inspection, or it could be a switch that’s turned off. It’s also worth noting that most of the reasons we discussed above can lead to the complete failure of the whole unit. But don’t panic.

How To Fix This:

If you have basic AC troubleshooting skills, you could solve the issue of the AC not running at all. Otherwise, you might have to contact an HVAC technician to come and inspect the problem and possibly provide a fix. All in all, the issue of AC units not supplying cold air can be easily and permanently fixed. 

Conclusion

Weather conditions continuously make air conditioning systems essential household appliances. Therefore, when something is not working right, it robs you of peace of mind. Consider the issue of the AC unit not blowing cold air. Situations like these require prompt action to prevent further damage. As you have seen, with the right approach, it can be fixed. More importantly, we understand that problems like these can be intimidating. That’s why we are always ready to help. Are you feeling stuck? Contact us today.