A Guide to Air Conditioner Refrigerant

You rely on your AC to keep your home cool when temperatures rise, and your air conditioner relies on refrigerants. As a homeowner, what should you know about AC refrigerants? In this blog, the HVAC experts at Blanton’s Air, Plumbing & Electric explain how refrigerant works and how to know if there’s an issue.

Happy Customers Choose...

Triangle

(919) 298-2105

Fayetteville

(910) 822-2866

Schedule Now

What Is AC Refrigerant?

AC refrigerants work within air conditioning units to absorb and release heat. The refrigerant evaporates and condenses repeatedly while transferring heat from inside the house to the outdoors, creating a cooling effect inside your home. Essentially, if there’s an issue with your refrigerant or your AC uses the wrong type of refrigerant, it can’t cool your home effectively.

For decades, air conditioners used R22 refrigerant, commonly known as Freon, before it was phased out in most countries due to its environmental impact. R410A is a newer refrigerant that doesn’t contribute to ozone depletion and has become the standard for residential AC units.

If you have an older system that still uses R22, a licensed HVAC technician can help you switch to the much more eco-friendly R410A. Making the switch doesn’t just help the planet — R410A is much cheaper than freon, so it’ll save your wallet, too!

Does AC Refrigerant Need To Be Replaced?

If you’re like most homeowners, you probably don’t give your AC refrigerant much thought. The good news is that your AC will never “use up” all of its refrigerant because it is continuously cycled and reused.

However, you might have to replace your refrigerant if there’s a leak — an experienced HVAC tech can check your AC’s refrigerant level and handle the replacement.

How Do I Know if I Have a Refrigerant Leak?

There’s no simple, straightforward way to know if your AC has a refrigerant leak other than scheduling a refrigerant level test. But there are a few signs to look out for:

• Poor cooling in your home
• Higher-than-usual levels of humidity
• Long AC run times to maintain indoor temperatures
• Ice on the evaporator coil, which is located inside your home near the AC’s air intake

Let an HVAC technician know if you notice any of these issues. A refrigerant level check is also part of your AC tune-up, so you’ll catch a leak if you stay on top of AC maintenance.

Problems With Having Too Much or Too Little Refrigerant

Refrigerant levels can significantly impact your air conditioner’s safe and efficient operation. Learn more about what it means to have too much or too little AC refrigerant below:

Too Much Refrigerant

Your AC might have too much refrigerant, usually because it’s been overfilled. Look out for these signs:

• Strange noises: One of the most obvious signs that your AC has too much refrigerant is if it makes high-pitched whining noises. Excess liquid circulating inside the compressor is called “slugging liquid.” Your AC will work for a while, but eventually, it will break down and need service.
• AC blowing hot air: With too much refrigerant, your AC can’t transfer enough heat outdoors to do its job. As a result, it might blow hot air, or you’ll feel warmer in your home while it’s on.

Not Enough Refrigerant

If you’re dealing with a refrigerant leak, it’s more than likely that your AC doesn’t have enough refrigerant. Issues that can result from low refrigerant include:

• Icy evaporator coils: Low refrigerant affects the pressure within the refrigerant lines, causing the external temperature of the evaporator to plummet. This results in the telltale ice on the coil.
• Broken compressor: If your AC doesn’t have enough refrigerant, the compressor — which controls the temperature and pressure of the vapor refrigerant that escapes the evaporator coil — can overheat and burn out. This is a serious issue that can cause your AC to break down.
• Increased indoor humidity: Your AC removes excess moisture into your home while it cools. If it’s low on refrigerant, it can’t do that, and you’ll feel the effects.

Choose Blanton’s for AC Repair Services

If you suspect issues with your AC’s refrigerant levels, turn to Blanton’s Air, Plumbing & Electric. For over 70 years, Blanton’s has been a go-to choice for AC services in Fayetteville and the Triangle region. We’re always available to answer the phone 24/7 and offer comprehensive AC maintenance service that can catch refrigerant leaks and other AC issues early.

Call us in Fayetteville at (910) 822-2866 or in the Triangle at (919) 298-2105 to schedule AC service today.