Most people think about the late sunsets, ice creams, outdoor plays and beach images when the hot season comes. What about a functional air conditioner? Nothing hurts more than having an air conditioner that won't cool the rooms during the hot season. If the airflow is good and fans are blowing but the unit can't cool your rooms, then its refrigerant could be leaking. Whether your air conditioner uses R-410A or R22 refrigerant, it won't cool the home if it's leaking. That cooling effect is created when the refrigerant expands or vaporises.
If the refrigerant of your air conditioner is leaking, here are the AC components to check:
Condenser Coils
Refrigerant could also leak if the condenser coils aren't in good shape. If the coils are defective, the refrigerant may leak through the U-tubes found at the end of the condenser coil. When the air conditioner vibrates, the U-tube rubs against the tube sheet, causing refrigerant leaks. Damaged condenser coils can be repaired but you may have to replace them if the air conditioner is old or it the coils are damaged beyond repair. Most HVAC technicians don't use heat when repairing condenser coil leaks because it makes other parts of the condenser coil loose and set for more leaks.
Heat Pump Accumulator
If your air conditioner has refrigerant leaks, check the accumulator in the heat pump. Accumulators in most air conditioners are made of steel and they can rust with time. If the rust goes unchecked, the refrigerant might leak out through the rust holes formed. Before you budget for a new heat pump accumulator, contact an HVAC technician to see if they could repair it to stop refrigerant leaks. If you see rust on the accumulator, spray some paint on it to extend its lifespan and prevent the formation of rust holes.
Capillary Tube
If the air conditioner isn't well maintained, the refrigerant may leak through the capillary tube. These tiny copper tubes rub against other metal pieces when the system vibrates. If holes form on the capillary tube, the refrigerant may leak through them. Locating a leaking capillary tube isn't easy because the unit has to be disassembled first. Once the technician has identified a refrigerant leak, they cut the capillary tube and ream the hole. They then solder the larger copper tubing over the capillary tube.
Other defective AC components that could cause refrigerant leaks include the line set, filter dryer, flare connections and Shrader valve. Refrigerant leaks may cause health issues such as seizures, unconsciousness, mental fatigue, fluid build-up in the lungs, irregular heartbeat and laboured breathing among your family members. Handling refrigerant leaks yourself could be dangerous; you should contact air conditioning repair services to diagnose the refrigerant leaks and fix them.