What Is Refrigerant Used For?

Refrigerant is used in air conditioning to absorb heat and cool air before it is recirculated back into the home.

R410A is the refrigerant used in air conditioning systems and it is a hazardous pollutant. R410A is more efficient that other refrigerants such as R-22 and more environmentally friendly.

Checking for a Leak

A qualified engineer will have a variety of tests they can carry out to identify if there is a refrigerant leak and where in the system it is. Specialized equipment is often used to assist in the task.

In the first instance the engineer will do a visual inspection. An electronic leak detector can also be used and a bubble test may also be carried out. A bubble test involves soap solution being placed over the suspected leak. If refrigerant is leaking it will form bubbles in the soap solution.

Symptoms of a Refrigerant Leak

1. It may take a long time to cool your home. If there isn’t enough refrigerant to absorb the heat from inside your home, then it will prolong the length of time it takes to bring the temperature down.
2. There is warm air coming out of the vents even when the thermostat is set to cool. Lack of refrigerant prevents cool air from being produced. It may be a gradual decline in performance, and it may not be noticeable at first. When you notice the change, you may have had a leak for some time, so act as soon as you identify a problem.
3. You can hear a hissing sound, which you may be able to hear in your home or near the condenser unit. A leak is probably caused by a puncture in the refrigerator lines, this can cause a hissing sound.
4. The evaporator coil is frozen over. If there isn’t enough refrigerant in your air conditioning system, the evaporator coil won’t be able to absorb as much heat. Condensation will build up and the coil will freeze over.

What to Do if You Suspect a Leak

If you have noticed any of the above symptoms, don’t ignore them. Not only will your air conditioning be costing more to run, a leak will place stress on your compressor which can lead to an expensive repair.

Our refrigerant services include identifying and repairing leaks in your air conditioning systems.

Under no circumstances should unqualified individuals handle or come into contact with refrigerant as it will evaporate in contact with air and can cause breathing problems. We are experienced in managing refrigerant leaks and carrying out refrigerant recovery safely if necessary.