How to Check Your AC for Refrigerant Leaks

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CHECKING YOUR AC SYSTEM FOR REFRIGERANT LEAKS
Swan Heating Air Conditioning, Inc.
599 W. 66th St. Loveland, CO 80538
info_at_swanhomecomfort.com 970-355-3555

• Refrigerant is the lifeblood of your AC system.
  It is the refrigerant located within the coils of
  your air conditioner that chills and dehumidifies
  the air. In theory, the original charge of
  refrigerant when your air conditioner was
  installed should last throughout the life of the
  unit since the liquid is cycled through the
  system and not actually used. Although
  relatively rare, a refrigerant leak can occur.
  This not only affects the efficiency and
  performance of your AC, but it can also be
  potentially dangerous to the environment as well
  as animals and humans that come into contact with
  the substance. The following are signs that you
  may have a refrigerant leak and should contact a
  professional HVAC service company.

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Copyright 2018 Swan Heating Air Conditioning,
Inc.
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A STEADY DECLINE IN COMFORT
Swan Heating Air Conditioning, Inc.
599 W. 66th St. Loveland, CO 80538
info_at_swanhomecomfort.com 970-355-3555

• Your air conditioner must have adequate
  refrigerant in order to remove the heat from your
  house effectively. Most refrigerant leaks are
  small and cause the refrigerant level to
  gradually decline over time. Once the level gets
  low enough, you will notice a marked difference
  in the comfort level of your home. If not fixed
  right away, a leak can eventually cause damage to
  your AC since the compressor and numerous other
  parts have to work overtime to keep up with the
  demand.

STRANGE NOISES
Any unusual noise coming for your AC can be a
sign of a potential problem and should be
investigated. In the case of a refrigerant leak,
air bubbles can form as the coolant escapes from
the unit. This can cause a hissing or bubbling
sound as the unit is running.
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Copyright 2018 Swan Heating Air Conditioning,
Inc.
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PROFESSIONAL LEAK DETECTION TESTS
Swan Heating Air Conditioning, Inc.
599 W. 66th St. Loveland, CO 80538
info_at_swanhomecomfort.com 970-355-3555

• Refrigerant leaks commonly occur around the weld
  joints, valve cores, copper tubing, shipping
  valves, and filter canisters. HVAC technicians
  typically use one of two different types of
  electronic detectors to identify the source of
  refrigerant leaks.

CORONA SUPPRESSION DETECTOR
A corona suppression detector measures the
conductivity of the gases passing between two
electrodes. The technician uses an instrument to
create a high-voltage spark that travels from one
point on the sensor to another, which establishes
a baseline reading. A significant drop in the
current indicates the presence of an insulating
gas, which means that there is a refrigerant
leak. The greater the current drop, the higher
the concretion of gas and the more significant
the leak.
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Copyright 2018 Swan Heating Air Conditioning,
Inc.
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DIRTY SPOTS ON THE REFRIGERANT LINE
Swan Heating Air Conditioning, Inc.
599 W. 66th St. Loveland, CO 80538
info_at_swanhomecomfort.com 970-355-3555

• A visual inspection of the refrigerant line can
  often alert you to a leak. The liquid attracts
  dirt, so the site of the leak will often appear
  oily or dirty. If the refrigerant line appears
  dirty, damaged, or discolored in any way, contact
  an HVAC professional for an inspection.

DO-IT-YOURSELF LEAK TEST
One of the easiest ways to identify a refrigerant
leak is to use the old-fashioned bubble test. To
do this, use a brush, squeeze bottle, or dauber
to apply a soap solution to the areas where you
suspect a leak. You should notice bubbles if
there is any escaping refrigerant however, the
test may not be effective if the leak is very
small or if it is a very windy day.
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Copyright 2018 Swan Heating Air Conditioning,
Inc.
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HEATED DIODE DETECTORS
Swan Heating Air Conditioning, Inc.
599 W. 66th St. Loveland, CO 80538
info_at_swanhomecomfort.com 970-355-3555

• A heated diode detector uses a ceramic element to
  heat up the refrigerant, which causes it to break
  up into molecules. The chlorine and fluorine
  molecules, which are positively charged, are then
  attracted to the devices center collection wire,
  which is negatively charged. A current is created
  as the positively charged ions flow to the
  collection wire. As the current level increases
  in relation to the amount of refrigerant, an
  alarm is triggered alerting the technician to the
  presence of a leak. Heated diode detectors are
  typically more accurate than corona suppression
  detectors in identifying leaks.
• Another way to detect leaks is to add a
  fluorescent dye into the air conditioners
  refrigeration system so that it mixes with the
  lubricant and circulates throughout the system.
  The technician then uses a blue light or
  high-intensity UV lamp to scan the system for
  leaks, which are indicated by dye that has turned
  a bright yellow-green color. As a general rule,
  the technician must use a manufacturer-approved
  dye that is compatible with your systems
  lubricant. Dyes containing co-solvents can
  degrade the lubricant and damage your air
  conditioner, so they should be avoided.
• Regardless of the method used, refrigerant checks
  should be a standard part of your annual AC
  maintenance regimen to ensure that small leaks
  are identified before they can damage or impact
  the efficiency of your system.

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Copyright 2018 Swan Heating Air Conditioning,
Inc.