Most homeowners don't give much thought to how their AC unit works. And they shouldn't have to if they schedule regular AC unit repair and maintenance. However, if you can identify indicators of a faulty AC, you'll be able to contact the AC technician before a problem worsens. 

Air conditioner components work together to cool your indoor spaces. When one component goes bad, the AC will shut down. If you can catch a problem early, your technician will restore the unit before it breaks down. Here are indicators of a refrigerant leak. 

AC Runs Longer 

A refrigerant leak slows down the absorption of heat from your indoor spaces. The AC is forced to go through longer cooling cycles to achieve the desired room temperature. 

Depleted refrigerant levels impair the cooling function of the AC unit. You'll have to wait a while before experiencing the AC's cooling effect. 

Contact your HVAC technician about the problem so that they can find the source of the leak. Fixing the leak before topping up the refrigerant ensures that it doesn't leak again in the future. 

Outdoor Unit Produces Hissing sounds

The reason for a refrigerant leak is holes or cracks on the condenser or evaporator coils. These slits on the coils that circulate the refrigerant can cause the outdoor unit to produce hissing sounds. While hissing can indicate many AC unit repair issues, call your HVAC technician to find out what the problem might be. 

You might also hear gurgling sounds, which could mean the slits are bigger and the leak is significant. Contacting your HVAC technician ensures they can fix the holes before all the refrigerant leaks. 

AC Doesn't Cool 

When you turn on your AC, you expect that your indoor spaces will be cool after a while. If you don't experience the AC's cooling effect, it might mean that the unit has lost its cooling power. 

If the air conditioning unit is supplying warm air into your home, it's an indication that the refrigerant levels are too low to absorb heat from your indoor spaces. 

Even if you had recently scheduled AC maintenance, call your technician if you notice the AC isn't cooling. The evaporator and condenser coils can sustain holes or cracks due to environmental damage. An experienced HVAC technician will know how to fix the holes to stop the refrigerant from leaking. 

If you notice any of the signs discussed above, contact your HVAC technician. Remember to schedule regular AC repair to keep your AC in good shape. 

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