There are a few substances that are very important within your HVAC system, and one of these that many homeowners are well aware of is refrigerant. Refrigerant is responsible for absorbing heat in your home and removing it to allow for cooler air to be pumped in, and refrigerant levels must be kept at requisite points to maintain this process – and a few signs could be present if this isn’t the case in your system.

At Lee’s Heating and Air, we’re happy to offer a variety of air conditioning services to clients around Salt Lake City, Provo, American Fork and nearby areas, including everything from preventive maintenance to AC replacements and more. Here are some basics on what refrigerant does and why low levels are a problem, plus some possible signs that your levels might be low and require attention from one of our professionals.

Refrigerant Basics  – and Issues With Low Levels

As we alluded to above, refrigerant helps to absorb heat from the air that passes over your unit’s evaporator coil. This cooled air then flows through your ductwork and into your home, helping to make it comfortable during even the hottest summer days.

When refrigerant levels are low in a system, this can lead to several issues – first off, if not enough refrigerant is present in the system, can’t absorb heat as effectively, leading to a decrease in air temperature and airflow. Secondly, low refrigerant levels can cause your system to work harder than it should – this will lead to an increase in energy consumption that won’t only raise your utility bill but could also put excess strain on other parts of your system, leading to additional problems with time.

If this is happening in your system, you’ll likely notice a few signs. Let’s go over these.

Taking Too Long to Cool the Home

To be clear, low refrigerant level isn’t the only possible reason why it might be taking longer than usual for your system to cool your home. However, it’s certainly one possible cause – and if you’ve already checked that all other components of your system are working properly, then this is something that could be worth looking into further.

When refrigerant levels get low, your unit’s evaporator coil won’t be able to absorb heat as efficiently as it should, and this will in turn lead to a decrease in air temperature. So if you’re noticing that your home takes longer than normal to cool down – and that other factors appear to be working properly – then this is something worth having one of our AC technicians look into further issues with refrigerant.

Air That Isn’t Cool

In other cases, you might simply notice that the air coming out of your vents isn’t as cold as it normally is. Again, there are a variety of issues that could cause this – from clogged filters to an compressor issue – but low refrigerant levels could be a factor here too.

If you’re noticing decreased air temperature in addition to longer cooling times, then this could indicate that the refrigerant levels in your system have dropped too low and need attention.

Frost on Lines

Your refrigerant runs into your home via two lines – a large one that contains the refrigerant itself, and a smaller one for the liquid line. When refrigerant levels get low, you might notice ice or frost on these lines – particularly on the larger suction line.

If you see this happening in your system, then there’s a good chance that your refrigerant levels are lower than they should be, and it’s time to have one of our technicians come in for a closer look.

Hissing or Bubbling Sound

In other situations, you might not see the signs of refrigerant leaking – but rather hear them. If your unit is making a hissing or bubbling sound, then there’s a chance that refrigerant is leaking from the system. This could be caused by corrosion within the lines (which can happen due to age) and lead to refrigerant levels dropping too low.

If you’re hearing this kind of noise coming from your system, then it’s time to call an AC technician for help.

These are just a few of the signs that could indicate low refrigerant levels in your system – and if you’re seeing any of these, then it’s likely time for some professional attention. Our team at Lee’s Heating and Air can come in and inspect your HVAC system for problems, as well as recharging your refrigerant levels if necessary. Give us a call today to learn more about our services and how we can help you stay comfortable all year round, whether you’re in SLC, Provo, American Fork or any nearby area.