Evaporator Coil Leaking Freon
The evaporator coil is a major part of your central air conditioning system. If it leaks freon, your home's cooling efficiency will significantly decrease, and your power bill will steadily rise. Understanding the role of the evaporator coil and the importance of regular maintenance can help you avoid the discomfort of a poorly functioning air conditioner during the summer.
Your evaporator coil is a major part of your central air conditioning system. If it leaks freon, your home's cooling efficiency will significantly decrease. To understand the role and importance of an HVAC system's evaporator coil, first, it’s important to understand how a central air conditioning system works. An air conditioner doesn’t actually produce cold air. Instead, it removes heat and humidity from the air in your home, carries the heat through the air conditioner, and sends that warm air outside.
To do this, refrigerant flows throughout the entire central air conditioning system, absorbing and releasing heat until the air in your home matches the temperature set on your thermostat. Two types of evaporator coils are used today: one is made of copper and steel — two metals that conduct heat well, and the other is made of aluminum. The refrigerant enters the evaporator coil through copper tubing connected to your AC unit outside.
Once inside, it absorbs heat from the air blowing through it. Moisture in that air is condensed into water on the evaporator coils, which then flows into the drain pan. This is an important step in the cooling process because removing this moisture lowers the air temperature in your home, creating a more comfortable environment.
Some telltale signs indicate when to hire an HVAC technician to inspect your evaporator
coil for freon leaks.
- Your AC unit is not turning on.
- Blowing warm air from the vents inside your house.
- The AC unit keeps starting and stopping.
- Making strange noises, like a hiss, coming from inside or outside the AC unit.
- Producing a refrigerant leak that you can see near the indoor cooling component.
- Ice forming on the evaporator coil and AC unit outside.
- Your AC unit seems to be running all day, trying to cool your home.
WARNING: AC refrigerant is a toxic chemical. Touching or mishandling AC refrigerant could lead to serious injury or death. Keep small children and pets away from any refrigerant leaks. Always consult an experienced and licensed HVAC technician if you’re experiencing problems with your air conditioner.
What can Cause A Evaporator Coil To Start Leaking?
- Chemical Reactions
- With high humidity levels, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and the copper piping inside the evaporator coils can cause a chemical reaction that could lead to a freon leak.
- VOCs may be normal gases created in the average household or come from cleaning products, cosmetics, air fresheners, paint, or construction materials.
- Normal Wear and Tear
- Vibrations are caused by the freon flowing through copper tubes in the evaporator coil.
- Factory defects in the construction and design of the evaporator coil.
- Age of the system
- Rust build-up from the moisture and steel.
- The copper tubing in the evaporator coils can begin to corrode.
- As the corrosion occurs, small holes develop in the evaporator coils, leading to small leaks that are hard to detect.
AC Repair / Sharpsburg