If you’ve inspected your air-conditioning unit and found it has a leak, it is critical to know what to do when your air conditioner is leaking refrigerant. As HVAC specialists in Mississauga, Brampton and Oakville we know the damage it can causes, and all the causes—and fixes—of leaking refrigerant—and the most common offenders. If you suspect you have a leak you need to visually inspect the unit for the tell-tale fluid stains or use a leak detector.
Once you know that your air conditioner has a refrigerant leak you need to correct them immediately or they will allow air and moisture to penetrate your cooling system, waste expensive coolant and damage the ozone layer should they leak into the environment due to the CFCs that they emit. Even more importantly leaks can reduce the overall efficiency of your air conditioner, could freeze the evaporator coil and otherwise permanently damage the unit.
Running an air-conditioning system with leaks will increase your electric bill and increase repair bills down the road as the leak(s) continue to damage the unit. As HVAC specialists in Mississauga, Brampton and Oakville we have seen first-hand the permanent damaged caused when an air conditioner is leaking refrigerant.
What to Do When your Air Conditioner is Leaking Refrigerant
If you’ve discovered that your air conditioner is leaking fluid you will need to address the source—and remedy it like a mechanic fixes a faulty transmission. But first you need to find the cause of the leak:
- Manufacturer Defect
If the refrigerant is leaking due to a manufacturer’s defect like a poor welding job, incorrectly aligned joint or lack of seal then it is the manufacturer’s responsibility to fix it under the warranty of the device. To fix it you simply need to find an authorized technician that can fix it for the manufacturer.
Normal Wear and Tear
Any machine with moving parts will naturally have wear and tear over the years. This includes things like rust- and acid-caused leaks in the tubing and joints and leaks caused from worn rubber seals. These are easily remedied by a professional with the necessary parts—but we don’t recommend over-the-counter products available at Home Depot-like stores as they often don’t properly seal the leak and can void the unit’s warranty.
So, what to do when your air conditioner is leaking refrigerant? Call us at Furnace King, your HVAC specialists in Mississauga, Brampton and Oakville—we will fix the leak and assess any damage done by the leaked refrigerant.