Signs That Your Central AC Unit Has Developed A Coolant Leak

If you have a central air conditioning system, then you are likely getting the AC unit up and running right about now. The spring months are the perfect time to see if the AC system is running correctly. This means that you should turn on the cooling system after inspecting it to make sure that the harsh winter months have not damaged the device. When you turn the unit on, there are some things you should watch out  for to see if the coolant lines are leaking refrigerant.

Hissing Sound

If you have a newer AC unit, then the device likely contains one of the newer coolants. These new coolants were designed to reduce environmental concerns if the device develops a leak. The coolants are used to replace harmful Freon coolants that are damaging to the ozone layer. 

While the vast majority of newer coolants work as well or better than Freon to cool the home, some varieties must be placed under a great deal of pressure to work properly. This can place some stress on the coolant lines that run through the system and leaks can develop. If a leak develops, then you will hear a high pitched hissing sound as the pressurized coolant releases from the system. 

Listen closely for a hissing sound as the unit turns on. If you hear a noise, then contact your air conditioning repair specialist so the leak can be located and patched. Sometimes the leak will be inside the compressor, so seals may need to be replaced to stop the problem. Otherwise, one or several of the coolant lines are likely causing the issue. 

Constant Running AC Unit

If your air conditioner has a coolant leak, then the device will simply not perform well. The air conditioner will run almost constantly as it tries to cool the home. If you notice this and also notice that warm air is being released from your cooling vents, then this is a clear sign that there is not enough coolant to chill the air that is forced through the ducts of your house.

There may be a few other explanations for this that you should investigate before contacting your AC professional. The problem may be linked to a dirty air filter. Investigate, clean, or change the filter to see if your system works better. Also, you should look to see if the coolant coils inside both the indoor and outdoor AC units are dirty. If they are, they should be thoroughly cleaned. Dirty coils can disrupt the exchange of heat that make the unit function properly. 

If the filter is clean and the coils are clean as well, then contact your AC professional so a coolant leak assessment can be completed. 

For more information, contact a company like Classic Air and Heating.