3 Sites Of Commercial AC Refrigerant Leaks You Should Know

An AC refrigerant is vital in absorbing heat and expelling it outdoors. However, if you fail to maintain your commercial AC, it can malfunction and hinder performance. For instance, the AC can leak the refrigerant, causing a loss in cooling power. Since prolonged exposure to the refrigerant may lead to gas poisoning, you should schedule commercial AC repair in case of a leak. A contractor will examine your unit for leaks, seal them, and refill the coolant for maximum cooling output. Below are sites of potential AC refrigerant leaks.

Evaporator Coil

The evaporator coil enables the refrigerant to absorb heat while warm air flows across it. However, the indoor coil can deteriorate from formicary corrosion. This happens due to the reaction between condensed air and volatile organic compounds in your premise, such as cleaning products. As a result, formic acid forms and corrodes the coil, leading to holes that leak the refrigerant. Thus, it is wise to hire an AC specialist to patch the leaks for proper heat transfer.

Flare Fittings

An AC flare fitting is an attachment that connects metal sections to the system component. Unfortunately, flare fittings can turn into stress points if they are not well-placed. Furthermore, these fittings may weaken if you tighten them and cause a coolant leak. Therefore, you should employ the services of a repair expert to diagnose your line set. More so, the expert knows how to tighten the flare nut to the torque specifications. Also, they will replace the flare nut if the leaks persist. 

Capillary Tube

A capillary tube is a calibrated and non-adjustable device that controls the flow of the refrigerant. The condenser unit houses the capillary tube, ensuring the refrigerant remains at the right pressure as it flows in the air handler. However, if the outdoor unit becomes loose, it can generate severe vibrations.

As a result, the capillary tube can weaken, creating exit points for the coolant. This causes a pressure drop in the system as the capillary tube cannot route coolant through the copper tubing. In addition, low refrigerant levels decrease the AC's cooling power. In such a case, you must seat the condenser unit properly and anchor it with vibration isolators to absorb excess movement. Finally, you must replace irreparable tubes to restore cooling output.

Coolant leaks are common, given the high demand for output a commercial AC goes through. However, identifying the precise leakage point can be tricky. Therefore, you should contact a commercial AC repair contractor if you hear a hissing noise from your cooling system. They will pinpoint the leak's location, repair it, and regas your system for optimum cooling performance.