How To Know If Your Refrigerant Is Low

If you experience poor air conditioner performance, you might wonder how to know if refrigerant is low. Refrigerant is the most essential element of your AC system, so if you have low refrigerant, you can’t properly cool your home.

Frozen Evaporator Coil

A frozen evaporator coil is an obvious sign you don’t have enough refrigerant in your system. The coil collects the hot air and disburses it outside, but when you’re low on refrigerant, the pressure drops and significantly lowers its temperature. Whether you notice ice buildup on the indoor evaporator coil or the outdoor unit, subpar refrigerant levels remain a common cause.

Lack of Comfort

If your air conditioner becomes low on refrigerant, you’ll experience a significant decrease in comfort.

Refrigerant leaks can manifest in the following ways:

Inability to blow cool air
Longer cooling times
Reduced or low airflow
Constantly running without reaching your desired indoor air temperature

An HVAC professional can repair or refill refrigerant lines and help keep your home cool.

Related article: Why is My AC Running but Not Cooling?

Higher Air Conditioner Bills

If you wonder how to know if refrigerant is low, keep an eye on your electric bills. When your air conditioner is low on refrigerant, it may still cool your home to a comfortable temperature, but it must work harder to do so.

Increasing bills don’t always mean your AC unit needs more refrigerant. However, it does mean you need an AC technician to determine the exact nature of your air conditioner problems.

Concerning Air Conditioning System Noises

When air conditioners make a hissing or bubbling noise, it means you have a leak in your air conditioner’s refrigerant line. Only an HVAC technician can repair refrigerant lines, as it requires special training to find and repair. Refrigerant also contains dangerous toxins, so you need a professional to handle it properly.

Short Cycling

When your air conditioner turns on and off quickly, experts call it short cycling. It can indicate any number of problems, including a low refrigerant level.

Short cycling occurs when your system encounters a problem, shuts off, and then turns back on when the problem resolves itself. Low refrigerant levels can cause the lines to freeze or the system to overheat. Once the temperature levels off, the device turns on until the problem occurs again.

Water Leaks

If you notice a water leak beneath your AC unit, one likely cause is low refrigerant. If you notice water pooling beneath your device, call for help immediately.

The evidence may not manifest in such an obvious way. For example, you may notice condensation on your device rather than a large pool of water. You may also notice leaking refrigerant, which can smell like sugar water or nail polish remover.

Call Fast Response Heating & Cooling for Reliable HVAC Services

Now you understand how to know if refrigerant is low. Whether you have a refrigerant leak or want to upgrade your device to a heat pump, Fast Response Heating & Cooling can do it all efficiently and for a competitive price. Contact us today to keep you safe and comfortable even in the most extreme summer heat. We proudly serve homeowners throughout Dallas including DeSoto, Waxahachie, Plano, and the surrounding areas!