How to Know if an AC Is Low on Freon

A quick review of common signs indicating a system may be lacking Freon is the best way to address this question.

Summertime can be hot, muggy, and uncomfortable. Finding a place to cool off and escape the summer heat and humidity is essential. For those with a central cooling system, the home provides a welcome retreat on a warm and humid day.

Maybe the system simply needs a little tune-up, or perhaps some refrigerant, commonly referred to as Freon, has been lost due to a small leak. A quick review of common signs indicating a system may be lacking Freon is the best way to address this question.

What is Freon?

Freon is the term commonly used to refer to the refrigerant or coolant used in many systems, from home AC units to car cooling systems and some refrigerators. It's actually the chemical refrigerant R-22. A home's central cooling system acts as a fluid that absorbs and transfers the heat from inside the home to the compressor unit outside, where it is cooled and recirculated, making the home a cool and comfortable respite from the heat and humidity.

Understanding the purpose of Freon in a central cooling system reveals that the lack of this important component can significantly disrupt the "cool" in more ways than one. When wondering how to determine if an AC is low on Freon, use this checklist to ascertain the need for refrigerant:

One of the most telling signs of a leak and coolant loss is the accumulation of ice on the lines going from the outside unit to the home or water pooling near the unit (from condensation or melting ice). If any ice is visible on the AC, contact a professional to inspect the system.

If registers and ducts are blowing warm or hot air, and no cool air is felt, it is very likely that Freon levels are low. Any lack of coolant will cause the recirculated air to remain warm, causing the AC system to take longer to cool if it cools at all.

A sudden spike in the electric bill is always cause for concern, especially if the AC is in use. This may be an early sign that the compressor is working extra hard due to a lower supply of Freon.

What Can Cause Freon Levels to Be Low?

In most cases, a lack of Freon is due to a small but repairable leak in a worn line. This is a relatively quick and easy fix, but attempting to fix it independently is not recommended. Finding a leak can be difficult, and without the expertise of an HVAC technician, unnecessary work and expenses may be incurred. Working with refrigerants in any capacity is best left to the experts.

Forecast Heating, Cooling, and Refrigeration serves residential and commercial customers in Summerlin, Anthem, North Las Vegas, Boulder City and Las Vegas. Call us at 702-919-4546.