Signs Your Air Conditioner Needs a Refrigerant Charge

Your air conditioning system provides numerous benefits, none more important than keeping your home cool and comfortable and controlling indoor humidity levels. When it experiences a big issue, you might feel uncomfortable and at a loss about what needs to be done. Fortunately, there are many possible solutions to AC problems, and one is to recharge them.

R.A. Biel Plumbing & Heating is your trusted contractor for your cooling system replacement and  air duct cleaning  needs, explains what a recharge is and the signs your AC system may need one.

Recharging your AC doesn’t involve using electricity to power the unit back on so you can feel comfortable again. It has something to do with the refrigerant, which is considered the “blood” of the cooling system. It is a chemical compound that moves through the coils inside the equipment to facilitate heat transfer and is responsible for the cooling process.

While your AC system is in operation, a refrigeration cycle occurs. It starts with the fan blowing air over the coils where the refrigerant turns into gas. The cool air produced by this process is then distributed throughout your home via the air ducts. The refrigerant, meanwhile, turns into liquid as it moves to another set of coils. As this happens, it absorbs heat from the indoor air. Another fan located on your outdoor unit blows air over the heated coils, expelling the warm air outside.

Contrary to popular belief, the refrigerant doesn’t run out like gasoline used to power cars and other motor vehicles. In other words, it should be good for the lifetime of the cooling system. That said, an AC system may need a recharge. A thorough  HVAC maintenance  check can help uncover a leak within the system, which the technician will fix before topping up with new refrigerant. It is also likely that the refrigerant levels are already low, which means the AC unit was undercharged during installation.

Determining whether or not your air conditioner needs to be recharged can be tricky. The signs can also indicate other types of issues that the system might have. If your AC unit has low refrigerant, you have to be on the lookout for the following signs:

Your AC might be running low on refrigerant if you have been dealing with an increase in your energy bills over the past few months and you haven’t made any significant changes to your home’s temperature. Since there’s not enough inside your cooling equipment, it won’t get rid of the indoor heat required for the refrigerant cycle. It will have to work longer and harder than necessary, consuming more energy. This, in turn, translates to higher energy bills.

An in-depth inspection by your  HVAC repair  technician can help determine if the low refrigerant levels are indeed the cause of your spiking energy bills. This issue, however, may also be indicative of other problems. It could also mean your AC is nearing the end of its life span or is not the right size for your home. Poor maintenance can also be a contributing factor. Ignoring your dirty air filters prevents the AC from ensuring consistent air circulation, which affects your home’s energy expenditure.

Your AC unit blows cool air into your living spaces via the supply vents. However, it will require a recharge if it isn’t absorbing as much heat as designed, causing the air to feel warmer than it should. It’s also likely not enough air coming from the supply vents.

Before you call your  HVAC repair  technician to have your cooling system recharged, consider troubleshooting it first. Is the filter filled with too much dirt? It could be the reason why the system isn’t pulling enough warm air. If you’ve cleaned or replaced the filter and the problem persists, your AC is due for a recharge.

Hearing these strange noises from your air conditioner is an indication there’s a refrigerant leak. These sounds, which are very similar to what you’d see and hear from a leaking gas pipe, are produced as the refrigerant escapes from either a joint or tiny crack or hole along the lines. Hissing means the refrigerant is escaping in its gas form while bubbling means it is escaping in its liquid form.

As soon as you hear faint bubbling or hissing noises from your AC system, turn it off right away and call your HVAC technician to give it a look. Catching the leak on time can save you a significant amount of money on frequent but costly repairs.

Recharging your AC is usually a viable option to fix the problem of a low refrigerant, but  HVAC maintenance  experts may recommend replacing the unit altogether instead. The decision, however, will depend on a variety of factors, including:

Homeowners in Farmington, NM, and the surrounding communities continue to trust R.A. Biel Plumbing & Heating for their air conditioning needs. From recharging your current AC with refrigerant to finding a more suitable replacement for your unit, you can count on our team to get the job done efficiently. We also specialize in  air duct cleaning  and sheet metal fabrication. Call us today at (505) 327-7755, or fill out our  contact form  to schedule an appointment.

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