Every AC unit needs refrigerant to work properly. When working properly, the ac unit compresses a colorless gas known as freon or R-22. The compression process makes the gas really hot; as it moves through the coils it begins to cool changing to a liquid form. The cooled freon absorbs heat from the outside air and pushes the cool air out resulting in a constant cycle of heat in and cool air out making your home a comfortable temperature.
If this cycle is not working properly odds are the ac unit is not blowing cool air. Refrigerant leaks are often the cause for the change in air flow. Freon is harmful to the ozone and as per the “Clean Air Act of 1990” is slated for a complete ban in 2020. Freon has been replaced with refrigerant 407C which is more environmentally friendly. HVAC systems still have the potential to leak, with the laws in places, the gas emitted is not toxic or harmful to us or the environment.
Now that we have determined what refrigerant flows through our air conditioning systems, let’s look at what we need to do to troubleshoot and repair them. If the AC unit is leaking, one of the first signs is that the air blowing out if the air conditioning unit is warmer than normal. When you call the HVAC technician, they might tell you that your HVAC unit needs more refrigerant. They will then look at sources for the leak.
