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Air conditioners rely on refrigerants to cool the air and expel warm air from the room, making them a key component in any cooling system. In Singapore’s tropical climate, where temperatures often soar above 30°C, refrigerants are essential for maintaining comfort at home or in the office.
On the other hand, a Freon leak is a big problem! It won’t only damage your air conditioner but also poses health risks. Check out the common signs of a Freon leak, so you can spot it early!
Why is a Freon Leak Dangerous?
Freon, which is the brand of coolant turned synonymous with refrigerants, is a flavorless, odorless, and colorless gas that can cause your organs to shut down when inhaled or ingested as a liquid. The coolant can bar oxygen from getting into your organs, causing them to shut down in extreme cases.
However, the most common effects of Freon on the skin are mild, especially when contact is limited. Most refrigerant manufacturers place additives in their coolants so homeowners can easily detect a leak. Freon, specifically, smells slightly sweet and chloroform-like, while other brands may smell like skunk spray, rotten eggs, or other odors.
A common misconception is that Freon eventually evaporates or dissipates over time, which is untrue. Freon is cycled around the air conditioning system, turning from gas to liquid and back to gas. None of it is used up. If the Freon levels are low, it means you have a leak in your AC unit.
What Are the Most Common Signs of Air Conditioner Freon Leaks?
Sign #1: Air Conditioner Blow Warm Air
The first sign of a Freon leak would be an air conditioning system that blows warm or room temperature air instead of cool air. The fan may be running, and pumping out air flow, but the air coming from your AC unit isn't cold. This indicates that your air conditioner cannot properly cool the air, and is usually the first sign of an AC refrigerant leak.
Sign #2 Lengthy Cooling Cycles
If your air conditioner is taking longer than usual to cool your space, this is often also the first sign of a Freon Leak. With Singapore’s warm climate, most AC units should cool a room efficiently, however, when there is a refrigerant leak, the system struggles to reach the desired temperature, resulting in extended cooling cycles and potential strains on the compressor.
Sign #3: Air Conditioner Short Cycles
If your air conditioner constantly turns on and off, or completely shuts down, then you may have problems with AC refrigerant leaks, particularly if you notice other symptoms as well: blowing warm air, hissing sounds, or your AC system freezing up. The low refrigerant levels are causing your aircon to overwork, thereby short cycling.
Sign #4: Frozen Evaporator Coils
A refrigerant leak can cause condensation around the evaporator coils to freeze, causing your AC unit to malfunction as a result. As the Freon leaks out of your system, it freezes any condensation that may have gathered around coils, and even around the air filter.
Sign #5: Chloroform Smell
Freon is an odorless and colorless gas, which is why many refrigerant manufacturers add special scents to indicate a refrigerant leak. Refrigerant leaks may smell like chloroform, with a subtle sweetness that is specific to the coolant.
Sign #6: Hissing Sound
A hissing, bubbling, gurgling, or similar sound is most likely caused by refrigerant leaks as the leaking Freon escapes through a narrow opening in the evaporator coil or refrigerant lines. A hissing sound would indicate a Freon leak.
Sign #7: Overheating System
Without adequate Freon due to refrigerant leaks, your air conditioning system works overtime to cool the air in your room to the desired temperature. This causes your air conditioning system to overheat as it grinds to function properly. Your system may overheat as a result, and would eventually cease to work.
Sign #8 Noticeable Water Leaks
Freon leaks can sometimes cause ice buildup on the evaporator coils, which then melts and leads to water pooling around your AC unit. Many homeowners in Singapore mistake this for condensation, but excessive water leakage could signal a refrigerant issue that needs immediate attention.
Sign #9 Increased Energy Bills
A sudden spike in electricity bills is also one of the indications of a refrigerant leak. This is because when a leak happens, it means that your AC unit has to work harder to cool your home due to the less Freon—this will cause the AC to consume more energy. In Singapore, where air conditioning is used frequently, even a minor efficiency loss can lead to noticeable increases in electricity costs.
What Are the Main Causes of Air Conditioner Freon Leaks?
There are lots of issues that can happen due to freon leaks—from inefficiency, and higher energy bills, to costly repair. But, have you ever wondered what are the causes of the leak? Here are the main causes of freon leaks in the aircon.
- General Wear and Tear: The components of an air conditioner can degrade due to constant use. In Singapore, where air conditioners often run daily, natural wear and tear can lead to small cracks that allow freon to leak.
- Lack of Maintenance: We always remind our clients about the importance of regular aircon servicing in Singapore’s climate. Without proper maintenance, dirt buildup and corrosion can weaken the refrigerant lines and increase the risk of leaks.
- Physical Damage: In Singapore, some high-rise buildings are exposed to environmental elements like rain and salt air, which can corrode AC components. Additionally, rodents or insects can sometimes damage refrigerant lines, leading to leaks.
- Poor Installation: Improper installation is another common cause of Freon leaks. If an AC unit is not installed correctly or the connections are not properly sealed, refrigerant leaks may occur.
Always hire an experienced and reputable aircon installation service in Singapore to ensure the system is set up correctly!
What to Do if You Suspect a Freon Leaks?
Tip #1: Shut Off the Air Conditioner
The first thing to do when you suspect AC refrigerant leaks is to shut the air conditioning system down. Freon leaks are notoriously hazardous to your health, and to the environment, so you would want to stop your AC unit from circulating this gas as much as possible. Shut your unit off, and unplug the appliance to prevent accidents.
Tip #2: Ventilate the Area
As Freon is a toxic gas, it is important to ventilate the area when suspecting a Freon leak. If inhaled, it can cause a variety of health problems, including dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and difficulty breathing. In severe cases, Freon exposure can even lead to death. Ventilating the area helps to disperse the Freon gas and reduce the risk of exposure.
Tip #3 Call Luce for AC Repairs and Maintenance
You should never attempt to fix freon leaks by yourself. Instead, let our expert technicians at Luce handle it for you. Our trusted repair service will inspect your unit, detect leaks, and repair AC refrigerant issues safely and professionally.
Regular aircon maintenance is just as important in preventing refrigerant leaks. We recommend scheduling a cleaning every 4-6 months. Routine maintenance helps detect weak points in your AC’s refrigerant lines before they become major leaks, saving you from costly repairs.
Tip #4: Go to Accredited and Reputable Aircon Repair Companies
Always look to accredited and reputable aircon companies when looking to have your unit maintained. Low-quality refrigerant or Freon can damage your AC unit, leaving you to deal with expensive repairs later on. Accredited aircon companies like Luce Aircon use only legitimate coolants, so you can be sure of the quality of service we provide.
Freon Problems?
Need a top-up of Freon or other high-quality refrigerants? Luce Aircon has got you covered! We are known as Singapore’s air conditioning expert, which will make aircon maintenance easy for you.
Check out our article on aircon refrigerant leak.
