As the temperatures rise outside in Victorville, California, the last thing you want is the temperature rising in your home while you’re running your HVAC system. Although a refrigerant leak isn’t common, it could be the reason your HVAC system isn’t cooling your home this summer. When it comes to finding the problem, these are strategies the pros use:
Risks of a Leaking HVAC System
When you notice your air conditioner is running but has stopped cooling, call the experts. Although HVAC system leaks might start out as pinhole leaks due to damage, factory defects, or improper installation, they can become a bigger problem if they aren’t diagnosed and repaired properly.
These leaks are important to repair quickly, not just for your own comfort, but also because of the impact of refrigerants on the environment and your health. Refrigerants are a toxic substance that can be fatal if inhaled, and they damage the environment by depleting the ozone layer.
How Professionals Detect Leaks
While refrigerant leaks are commonly observed in the evaporator coils, they can happen elsewhere in the system — even with proper maintenance. Here are a few ways HVAC professionals might identify leaks in your system.
- Soap bubbles. Soapy water applied to the suspected refrigerant leak will bubble up and give the location away.
- Ultraviolet (UV) dye. Dye is added to the refrigerant, and a special UV light is used to find leaks. While this method is effective, the dye may affect the future performance of your HVAC system.
- Electronic leak detectors. This is one of the most popular methods, due to the high degree of accuracy that well-calibrated devices deliver.
Whatever the cause of the refrigerant leak in your HVAC system, one thing is certain: You need the help of a trained professional to locate and repair the leak. Our experts at Clemmer Services Heating & Air Conditioning can have your system up and running before you break a sweat. Call us at 760-208-4930 today for an appointment.
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