7 Signs of a Refrigerant Leak in Your HVAC System

The weather is warming, and it's time to start cooling the house. But when you switch on the HVAC unit, it doesn't seem to be cooling properly. You wonder if it's your imagination or if there's an AC refrigerant leak.

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Fortunately, there are several signs that indicate whether the unit is leaking, so check them first before calling an HVAC technician.

Does My HVAC System Have AC Refrigerant?

Yes, all conventional air conditioners use a refrigerant. Older units will generally use R-22 (Freon), while newer types use more climate-friendly refrigerants like R-410a or R-134a. An HVAC unit's cooling process works on the same principles as a refrigerator to absorb heat from the home through the evaporator coil and discharge this heat to the outside through a condenser coil.

While HVAC units are reliable, rubber seals wear out and copper tubes fatigue over time, resulting in a small refrigerant or Freon leak.

Signs the Refrigerant in Your HVAC System Is Leaking

An HVAC unit needs a certain amount of refrigerant to work properly. If there's a leak, the unit won’t cool properly. Although you need a refrigerant leak detector to find a small leakage, seven signs may indicate there's a loss of refrigerant.

1. Difficulty Cooling in Hot Weather

Poor cooling is one of the common indications of a low refrigerant. If your home isn't cooling properly, even when you set the thermostat lower, it's an indication of a possible leak. Typically, you'll notice the cool air supply from the ducts is warmer than usual.

2. High Humidity

Another sign of an AC problem is high humidity inside the home. This happens if the evaporator coil inside the air handler isn't cold enough to condense and remove moisture from the air. High indoor humidity is especially noticeable in the eastern and southeastern parts of the country, which experience high humidity levels in summer.

3. AC Not Cycling

If there isn't enough refrigerant, the AC system must run for longer to reach the right temperature. As the refrigerant loss increases, the AC unit stops cycling and runs continuously. Infrequent cycling is one of the most obvious early warning signs of an AC refrigerant leak.

4. High Energy Costs

If the leak is small, it may take several months for the AC system's cooling performance to reduce to the point where you notice it. But even a small loss in refrigerant means the AC unit runs less efficiently, and this leads to higher utility bills.

5. Frozen Evaporator Coil

If too much HVAC refrigerant escapes, the evaporator coils may completely freeze over with a thick layer of ice. This is a serious condition and may lead to costly air conditioner repairs.

6. Excessive Water Draining From the Indoor Unit

It's normal for water to flow from the drain under the air handler as the evaporator condenses moisture in the air. But if there's a large amount of water draining, this shows that the evaporator is freezing because of an insufficient refrigerant charge.

7. Strange Hissing or Gurgling Sounds

Unusual sounds may also signify a refrigerant leak. A hissing sound coming from the evaporator or any other parts of the outdoor unit could be coming from a small high-pressure leak, while gurgling can indicate larger leaks.

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• Should You Repair or Replace Your Air Conditioner?

What Should I Do If I Suspect Refrigerant Is Leaking in My HVAC System?

If you suspect a refrigerant leak, call an HVAC technician to come and check the air conditioning system. The first thing the technician does is connect their gauge set and measure the system operating pressures. If the pressures are too low, the technician inspects the system using a refrigerant leak detector to check for leakage. They also check the filters and clean the evaporator and condenser coils and the refrigerant control valve.

Is It Best to Repair or Replace an HVAC With an AC Refrigerant Leak?

If the leak is easily found and repaired, it's usually cheaper to repair the AC unit. Older ACs use R-22, which has been phased out, and parts aren't readily available. If this is the case, it may be better to replace your AC unit with a newer model. While the initial cost is higher, new air conditioners are significantly more energy-efficient. Depending on the age of your old unit, you could reduce HVAC energy costs by as much as 50%.