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What Happens When Refrigerant Levels Get Low?

Refrigerant constitutes the core of most types of air conditioning system. It cycles through a series of valves and coils that first shift it into a liquid form (heating the nearby air, which is then vented outside with a fan) then revert it to a gaseous form (cooling the air, which can then be blown through the ducts into your home). In order for the system to work, the refrigerant needs to be at a specified level, though the exact amount depends on the make and model of your air conditioner. When it gets low, problems can arise. The good news is that there are plenty of services that offer air conditioning repair in Rocky River, OH. But what happens when refrigerant levels get low? How does that affect your unit?

In the simplest terms, it disrupts the entire process. Without the right amount of refrigerant, the cooling process in the evaporator coils is thrown off-kilter. Instead of cooling down the surrounding air like it should, ice forms on the evaporator coils, while the air itself stays comparatively warm. That forces the air conditioner to work even harder to do its job, increasing strain and creating higher monthly energy bills in the process. Even worse, the ice now forms an insulating barrier between the rest of the refrigerant and the air, exacerbating the problem and increasing the chances of a larger breakdown in the future.  Furthermore, when the ice melts, it could overwhelm the system’s drain pan: the water will overflow and possibly damage nearby components in the bargain.

Unfortunately, simply scraping the ice off won’t solve the problem. The ice will soon reform and your efforts may damage the evaporator coils to boot. Instead, you need a trained technician to deal with the source of the problem: seal the leak and recharge refrigerant levels to their current position. If you’re looking for an HVAC company that offers professional air conditioning services in Rocky River, OH, the experts at Westland Heating and Air Conditioning are standing by. We know what happens when refrigerant levels get low and we have the expertise to fix it properly every time! Give us a call today to schedule your next service appointment with us.

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