How Do I Know if My AC is Leaking Refrigerant?

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AC Refrigerant Leaks Are Common, Just Not Obvious

If you’re experiencing any of these things, it could be a sign of a leak:

A Sudden Increase in Your Electric Bill – A refrigerant leak makes your AC run less efficiently. This causes it to work harder, which equals more energy consumption.
Takes a Long Time to Cool Your Home or Office – A refrigerant leak causes your AC unit to lose some of its cooling potential.
High Humidity – Another sign of an AC unit not running at peak efficiency…which can be caused by a refrigerant leak.
Strange Hissing Sounds – Cracks or holes in the components of your AC, specifically the coils, will create a refrigerant leak and occasionally a hissing noise as the fluid leaks out.

A Note About R-22 Refrigerant

R22 refrigerant, (also known as R22 Freon and HCFC-22 Freon) is a chemical used in both air conditioners and heat pumps to create cold air. In 2020, the U.S. EPA banned the production and importation of R22 because of its harmful impact on the ozone layer. Some California homes and businesses still use R22-type AC systems today and should prepare for both the high cost of maintaining these systems (R22 is now very expensive to procure) as well as the eventual and necessary transition to a new system. We advise our customers with these older systems to begin the planning and budgeting process of installing a new AC system today.

Refrigerant Leaks Are Dangerous!

Please don’t attempt a DIY repair on a refrigerant leak. Exposure to this coolant chemical can cause dizziness, shortness of breath, loss of coordination, frostbite, chemical burns, allergic reactions or worse.