AC Repair College Station

AC Repair College Station: Understanding Refrigerant Leaks

One of the most damaging and costly air conditioner malfunctions is the loss of refrigerant. A tiny leak is all it takes to cause the loss of all the refrigerant. Here is how it happens:

• The air conditioner compressor squeezes the refrigerant gas to about 400 psi. This causes the gas to heat very quickly.
• When the pressure is released, the gas cools rapidly. Warm air from the home blows over the tubes containing cool gas, resulting in cooler air returning to the home. 
• However, when gas begins to leak from the closed loop of refrigerant, the compressor motor continues to squeeze the gas. Since the amount of gas is lessened, the compressed gas becomes much hotter, hot enough to damage the compressor motor. When the compressed gas is released, it becomes much colder than normal, causing ice to form from water that typically condenses and drains away.
• Not only will replacing the compressor motor be very expensive, but the refrigerant gas is also very expensive. In some cases, the gas may not be available at all, requiring the entire system to be replaced.

A “tiny leak” can have major consequences, so it is important to make repairs before the small problem becomes a large problem.

AC Repair College Station: What Causes Refrigerant Leaks?

There are three major causes for refrigerant leaks.

• Poor or improper installation. These problems usually happen soon after installation and the loss of refrigerant is often rapid.
• Vibration or movement. When objects impact the tubes that carry refrigerant, it can loosen joints or damage the tubes. Movement can create obvious damage, but it can also create microfractures at the joints.
• After years of air conditioner use, wear and tear can create tiny leaks in joints or in components that carry the refrigerant, such as the evaporator coil or condenser.

AC Repair College Station: Best Practices to Prevent Leaks

The two best steps to avoid refrigerant leaks are:

• Purchase high-quality equipment and insist on high-quality installers. This makes sure the installation is done correctly.
• Schedule regular (annual) maintenance by trained professionals. When a leak is detected early, it can be repaired before the loss damages major components.

AC Repair College Station: Repairing A Refrigerant Leak

When a tiny leak is detected in time to prevent the loss of all of the refrigerant, the repair steps are rather simple and predictable.

• The leak is detected when a drop in refrigerant gas pressure is noticed during regular maintenance or repair.
• The location of the leak must be found. If the gas is still leaking, the process is easier. If all the gas has leaked away, finding the leak is a little harder.
• The leak can be repaired with a special sealant, a patch to the tubing, or the repair of soldered joints. Leaks in components, such as the condenser or evaporator coil might be difficult.
• When the technician is assured that all leaks have been repaired, the system is vacuumed to ensure gas purity, and the system is recharged with fresh gas.

AC Repair College Station: Keep Your Cool by Preventing Costly Leaks

A refrigerant leak might start small, but as we’ve seen, it can snowball into a major headache for your AC system and your wallet. From damaging your compressor motor to necessitating a complete system replacement, the consequences of ignoring a leak can be severe. The best defense against costly refrigerant leaks is a good offense: investing in high-quality equipment and installation and, crucially, scheduling annual professional AC maintenance.  Early detection can save you from a complete system breakdown and ensure your College Station home stays cool and comfortable. 

Don’t wait for your AC to completely give up; proactive AC Repair College Station care is the key to a long-lasting and efficient cooling system.

For more information about R.M. Mullinix and our AC Repair College Station services, schedule an appointment or visit our AC repair and maintenance information page.