What happens when Freon leaks

What happens when Freon leaks


What happens when Freon leaks

Freon leaks can cause all sorts of problems for your home’s heating, ventilation and air-conditioning, so don’t take them lightly.

Freon leaks can slow or stall the cooling of your home or office, send out warm air instead of cool, lead to frozen coils, raise your utility bill and make the system work harder and deliver less –- a prescription for a reduced HVAC life span.

Don’t do this:
Sometimes a homeowner will realize his system is leaking refrigerant and decide, “I’ll just pour some more Freon in there.”

This may be a quick short-term solution but it’s a bad move overall – for both the system and the environment. It’s like knowing you car’s gas tank has a leak and yet you keep pouring more gasoline into it. Freon, a gas, will keep leaking and the system will keep deteriorating. The problem is not solved!

Do this:
Call us at Lighthouse HVAC (646)-442-1556.

We will send a licensed, experienced technician to examine your system, find the cause and fix the problem after discussing options with you.

On rare occasions, a new AC system will leak Freon – usually because it was installed improperly.

Older systems are more vulnerable to Freon leaks, often due to rubber or metal deteriorating or corroding, which leads to holes and cracks. Trouble spots include joints, valves and hoses.

Finding the leak
In some cases there’s a hissing sound that indicates the location of the leak. Dirty, oily spots also are clues.

In other cases our techs use leak detectors and other tools to find the leak and assess the damage.

If it’s a continuous leak, repairs should be made promptly or the system will get progressively worse.

If you must have a leak, hope for an intermittent leak – one that happens only on extra-hot days, for example, when the system is under a lot of stress. An intermittent leak might not even require major repairs.

What is Freon?
Freon is both a brand name and a catchall name for fluorocarbon refrigerants. They are gases or liquids used as refrigerants in AC systems. Because they contain chlorofluorocarbons that can deplete ozone, governments have outlawed some forms of refrigerant and require manufacturers to produce new versions of Freon that have less impact on the environment.

Freon leaks can cause headaches and discomfort for people – and much more serious health problems if there is long-term exposure.

Freon’s versatility make it essential for AC systems: It’s a gas when it’s at room temperature but becomes a liquid when it’s cooled or compressed – all part of the process for cooling your home or business.

Lighthouse HVAC serves Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn and Long Island. Our technicians are licensed and experienced, and they travel in vehicles stocked for any HVAC emergency. We service both homes and businesses – and we guarantee our work!

Call (646)-442-1556 and we will respond promptly.