After you have an HVAC system installed in your home you usually don’t think about refilling the refrigerant in your system. In fact, most people never have to worry about it even if they may occasionally need air conditioning repair. This is because units are designed so that the refrigerant initially included should last many years in your HVAC system. However, certain circumstances such as leaks may change this, resulting in your AC needing a refrigerant refill. Warm air blowing through your ducts can be one indication of this, but there are other indications as well.
Simply refilling the HVAC system however is not really effective and you probably need your air conditioner repaired. If you refill your unit but do not fix the issue that caused low refrigerant in the first place you will just end up in the same spot again once it leaks back out. Unsure if this is the issue in your home? The following are a few tell-tale signs that you need to have a leak in your system. If this is the case, you will need a professional that is skilled and licensed in air conditioning repair to come to address the issue.
Air Vents Are Blowing Out Room Temperature Air
Have you been hearing the AC run but still don’t feel like your home is any cooler? Next time it is cycling, walk over to a cooling vent and stick your hand over it. If all you feel is warm air coming out of the vent or air that is about the same temperature as the rest of the home this could be a sign that it is time to refill your AC. Don’t call for air conditioning repair right away though. Give your air conditioning system at least 15 minutes first to see if the air starts to cool. Sometimes systems blow out warm air for a minute or two before the compressor kicks in and cooler air starts to circulate. Also, check your thermostat and make sure that the setting is on AC and not fan before doing anything.
Thermostat Reads a High Temperature
Whenever the air doesn’t feel right in a home most people turn to the thermostat. If you see a really high temperature compared to what you actually set it at, this can mean one of two things. It could mean that your thermostat is broken, or it could mean that your AC is no longer able to keep up with the heat which could indicate that you are in need of air conditioning repair. So how can you tell the difference?
If you happen to have another thermometer in the house, or maybe a humidity checker that also checks the temperature then place it near your thermostat. The number should be the same if the thermostat is correct, but if the numbers differ then it is likely that your thermostat needs replaced. Replacing your own thermostat is not a complicated task, but if you are unsure of it you can call for air conditioning repair and they can take care of it for you.
However, if you discover that your thermostat is reading correctly, then there is a good chance that your refrigerant needs to be checked. Even more so if the air is constantly blowing in your home and it is still hot. Another trick to help discern whether it is your thermostat or refrigerant is to simply hike your thermostat up. Crank it up to 90 or so degrees, and then after 20-25 minutes turn it back down extremely low to 60-65 degrees. Now, wait for 20 or so minutes. If the AC turns back on then your thermostat is working correctly. If the air blowing out remains warm it is highly likely that you have a refrigerant leak.
Frost Is Building on the Unit
Your outside unit should look the same at all times. During the summertime all you should hear is the gentle hum of the machine and you shouldn’t visibly see anything different. If you walk outside and look at your unit and see any signs of frost this is a clear indication that you probably have a refrigerant leak and are in need of air conditioning repair. Take a close look at the connectors, hoses, fans, or any visible part of your AC unit. Frost should not be present on anything associated with your air conditioning unit at any time.
The reason this occurs is because of the leaking coolant. The type of coolant that is used in home HVAC systems freezes any elements that it touches when it is not properly stored. Frozen elements that are located on your AC unit indicate that the coolant is leaking somewhere and coating these areas. This is a clear sign that something is wrong. Not only will your coolant probably need to be refilled, but you need an air conditioning repair expert to take a look at the system and determine where the leak is occurring. This way they can fix it before the leak gets larger or the parts of your unit it is leaking onto are damaged.
Schedule Air Conditioning Repair in St. Paul, MN
Have you noticed one of these signs in your home? Or does it feel like your air conditioning system is simply not cooling your home right? Blue Ox Heating & Air is a St. Paul, MN HVAC company that specializes in air conditioning repair and is run by fully licensed, certified, and experienced HVAC specialists. We are happy to schedule a time to come out and take a look at your unit. If you are sure that your refrigerant is leaking, we offer emergency service so we can correct the issue before it causes extensive damage. Give us a call today and get your unit back to its previous efficiency.
