3 Common Causes of AC System Refrigerant Leaks
Having an air conditioner that leaks will not just run your energy bills up, but will also increase the chances of getting a large repair bill later on. The air conditioning system that is low on Freon will click on and run more and for longer time periods. So, what is causing your AC refrigerant leaks? Below we will explore 3 causes.
Wear and Tear
Wear and tear of your AC unit can be a source of leaks. There are rubber seals on the service valve around the valve stems which can wear out and leak over time. The system outside can rust and cause the assembly joints to rust. During the first year, these types of leaks do not show and typically show up later on. In some cases, these leaks are fairly simple to fix and require only a professional to come and put in a new part. Other more serious cases need more major repairs done to remove rusted parts.
Pin Hole Leak
Another type of leak is known as a pin hole leak which is caused by “Formic”, naturally forming acid that will eat your copper tubing away. Leaks like this tend not to show up until later on down the road. When they do show up, they will be joined by other leaks in different areas of the components and copper tubes of the system which results in a highly expensive replacement or repair. Formaldehyde forms Formic acid which forms on the coils and is common in various different products for home building. When it does build up on the tubes, it can develop Formic acid and creates pin-hole leaks in the copper tubes. This is why manufacturers are switching to all aluminum for their replacement coils since they are not prone to corrosion.
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde can turn into Formic acid in the home on the AC coil. It is very mild, however, over a 5 year period; it will create pin holes in the copper tubes. This is known as Formicary corrosion, and is why many contractors use R-22 by the skid instead. If you know about indoor air quality, you will understand that one particular pollutant in the home today is formaldehyde. Most if not all homes have some amount of formaldehyde in the indoor air, which will result in Formicary corrosion and cause Freon leaks.
If you notice a refrigerant leak, it is important to get it fixed immediately. This type of leak can be hazardous to the environment and to you. State law states that all HVAC companies are required to fix refrigerant leaks. Some of these refrigerants are global warming and ozone agonists. The efficiency of your AC system can be harmed with a low charge. This will result in the AC compressors running above their suggested range which can result in eventually having to replace your system. Freon is also known as compressor lubrication in some cases, which results in the compressor seizing up if it does not have enough. Therefore, detecting and fixing AC air leaks is important for you, your AC system and the environment.
