{"id":2700,"date":"2021-07-22T05:48:28","date_gmt":"2021-07-22T05:48:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jacklehr.com\/?p=2700"},"modified":"2025-12-28T07:26:16","modified_gmt":"2025-12-28T12:26:16","slug":"signs-your-refrigerant-is-leaking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jacklehr.com\/blog\/air-conditioning-service\/signs-your-refrigerant-is-leaking\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Signs You Have a Refrigerant Leak"},"content":{"rendered":"

Nothing\u2019s worse than a hot room when the air conditioner\u2019s broken. The refrigerant in an AC unit is what cools the air, and when there is a refrigerant leak, your AC won\u2019t function properly. But how can you tell if you\u2019ve got a refrigerant leak?<\/p>\n

Have you checked you refrigerant levels but your AC still won\u2019t work properly? Contact the air conditioning specialists at Jack Lehr<\/a> for AC servicing<\/a> in the Lehigh Valley area!<\/p>\n

AC Refrigerant Leak? 5 Clear Signs to Watch For<\/h2>\n
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  1. Hissing sound in the air conditioner<\/strong>: If you\u2019ve ever heard that hissing sound air makes when it escapes through a tiny hole, you need to go back and check again. You need to regularly check for such sounds in your air conditioner. It is a clear indication that there is some liquid or gas escaping, and this might be the cause for the malfunctioning of your air conditioner.<\/li>\n
  2. Ice buildup on the copper lines of the coil<\/strong>: If it\u2019s summer and there is some ice on the indoor coil, you\u2019ll definitely suspect something is wrong with the refrigerant. Chances are that your air conditioner has some refrigerant leak. The leak cools down and freezes causing an accumulation of the ice along the copper lines. You need to detect such icings in advance in order to have it repaired immediately.<\/li>\n
  3. Higher electrical bills:<\/strong>\u00a0If you\u2019ve not bought any other electrical equipment and your electric bills spiked unreasonably, the problem might be your air conditioner. When the refrigerant is leaking, the air conditioner tends to reduce its efficiency. This means that it requires more power to function normally. Consuming higher power translates to more electricity, which is reflected in your monthly bills. The fact that your air conditioner is still working does not make your air conditioner okay. You need to delve further and find out if it is the reason why your electric bills are escalating abnormally.<\/li>\n
  4. Registers release low airflow<\/strong>: The registers of your air conditioner should always release a high airflow. If you feel low air flow, or even it feels warm, there must be a refrigerant leak.<\/li>\n
  5. Your house takes a longer time than normal to cool off:<\/strong>\u00a0If your house used to take 10 minutes to cool off and now it takes 15 or more minutes, this should ring a bell that something is not right with your air conditioner. If you can\u2019t find the leak by yourself, call an expert to help you locate the problem with your air conditioner.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    If you\u2019ve noticed any of these signs, check your refrigerant levels, or call one of our expert technicians to come on out and give it a look. Leaking refrigerant can quickly lead to other problems, not to mention that it\u2019s toxic if swallowed or inhaled<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    Contact Jack Lehr for Air Conditioning Services<\/h2>\n

    At Jack\u00a0Lehr\u00a0Heating, Cooling & Electric, we are ready to help you enjoy the services provided by your air conditioner. For more than 50 years, we have been providing HVAC services, and this gives us the confidence to guarantee 100% satisfaction from our services. If you\u2019re in the Greater Lehigh Valley\/Allentown, PA area, contact us today<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n

    Question: What are common signs that my air conditioner\u2019s refrigerant is leaking?<\/b>
    <\/b>Answer:<\/b> Common signs of a refrigerant leak include hearing a hissing sound from the AC unit, seeing ice build up along refrigerant lines, and noticing reduced airflow or airflow that feels warm.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Question: Why might my cooling performance drop even when the AC runs?<\/b>
    <\/b>Answer:<\/b> If refrigerant is leaking, the AC can\u2019t cool effectively. This causes the system to struggle to reach set temperatures, takes longer to cool your home, and may result in warmer-than-expected air.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Question: Can a refrigerant leak affect my energy bills?<\/b>
    <\/b>Answer:<\/b> Yes. When refrigerant levels are low, the AC works harder to cool your home, which often leads to higher electricity bills as the system runs longer and less efficiently.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Question: How does a refrigerant leak change airflow from my vents?<\/b>
    <\/b>Answer:<\/b> Low refrigerant can reduce the amount of cool air coming from your vents. You may notice weak airflow or air that isn\u2019t as cold as it should be, indicating the system isn\u2019t circulating refrigerant properly.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Question: What should I do if I suspect my AC is leaking refrigerant?<\/b>
    <\/b>Answer:<\/b> If you notice signs like hissing sounds, ice buildup, weak cooling, or rising energy bills, it\u2019s best to stop relying on guesswork and have a professional HVAC technician inspect and repair the system.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n