Most of us may have never heard about Freon, or maybe you have but do not know much about it. It is a chemical being used for around 70 years now in air conditioning and refrigeration systems. If you have a house, it’s highly possible that your home appliances at least once were serviced by a technician who uses this chemical to fix the AC system in case if there happens a leakage. What exactly is Freon? How does it affect your life? Are we safe from its consequences? I will answer all these questions in the following passage so just sit tight because everything that you need to know about Freon leak is right here!
What Is Freon Leak?
There are many different chemicals used in refrigeration systems. One of the earliest is Freon 12. It was found out that this chemical is not flammable, unlike other chemicals being used at that time.
This is an opportunity for Freon 12, which is more available than other chemicals used at the time. Other chemicals were not as safe and might be flammable. Manufacturers started using chlorodifluoromethane instead of methyl chloride because it was safer and easier to get than other options.
Nowadays, there are different kinds of air conditioners. They all use a chemical called Freon 12. But there is a problem. Freon 12 is not good for the environment so it needs to be replaced with something else that does the same thing.
Freon 12, which is used in air-conditioning systems, was banned because it harms the ozone layer. It was not used anymore after the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was signed. The countries which sign this agreement will not use Freon 12 or any other substance that could harm the ozone layer.
Many countries continued to use chlorofluorocarbons until very recently. Some countries have now banned the chemicals. Some people are still using old air-conditioning units, but they are being phased out because of Freon.
Reasons Behind Freon Leakage
There are many reasons why Freon is leaking from your air conditioning unit. It may a result of wear and tear or as a result of an intentional attempt to gain money by selling the refrigerant at a scrapyard.
The phenomenon of leakage can also be attributed to how some technicians handle these machines during installation and replacement. In fact, it is important to note that there are different types of leaks that people associate with a duct-based system depending on where they occur. There are two main categories—high-pressure side leak and low-pressure side leak.
In addition, you have leaks. This means if there is leaking from the high-pressure side or low-pressure side of your system, at joints or fittings. The last kind of leak is when it comes from the outdoor unit. It usually happens when someone taps into a hard line. The tapping is done in order to install a service port or service valve for future use.
It is not common for leaks to come from the ducts of your system. The most common type of leakage is due to a problem with the parts or tools that had been mishandled during installation or replacement.
A Dirty Air Filter Alone Can Cause Freon Leakage
There are many instances where technicians do not correctly handle these machines during installation and replacement, resulting in leaks, especially around the joints and fittings. They also fail to check whether there are any pinhole leaks at copper tubing after installing new parts on them. If this happens, the chances are high that you will lose this valuable gas.
You should install a filter in your system. This is because it helps remove dust and dirt from the air before it enters your home. If those particles go into the evaporator coil, they will turn into water. The water will drip back down to the furnace or A/C unit and make it corrode.
Do not take the condensate drain line out of its original position without cutting it away from the base sheet metal first. And make sure to seal it with self-tapping screws after you move it or put it below your air conditioner indoors. Otherwise, you might end up losing Freon Leak.
If you have a leak of Freon gas, you should call a professional right away. The leaking gas will make your fridge stop working. It is important to take care of this problem before it gets worse and more expensive to fix.
Wear and Tear Can Also Cause Freon Leakage
Loose screws and coils can affect your AC. But over time, if you use low-quality parts, wear and tear can also cause a Freon Leakage. This will make a leak in the Freon which will make your AC stop working. If this happens, you need to call someone again to fix the Freon Leakage.
Pin Hole Leak
Small pinholes in the hose can cause a Freon Leakage. Most leaks happen before anything serious happens. Most leaks happen because of installation problems, and this includes wrong screws and clamps and bad hoses and connections. Your AC or fridge might stop working completely because of a leak if you do not fix the problem early. You should always use equipment that came from reliable manufacturers, so they will work safely for longer periods of time without getting any damage.
If you hear strange noises coming from your AC, or if it starts to shake, then you should call a professional right away. If this happens and you don’t fix it, then there might be bigger problems later on.
Hiring Professional Air Conditioning Repair Services
If the air conditioning unit has a Freon leak, you should call someone. They can fix problems for you and they are not expensive. If the color of the unit has changed because there is no refrigerant, then it is time to call in the experts.
You can call Le High HVAC Repair to find out more information about air conditioning repair services. They have been providing great service for years and they can help you too! If you notice any problems with your AC unit, don’t hesitate to call a professional right away. This will save you money in the future.
