7 Signs Your AC Unit is Low on Refrigerant

Updated: April 5, 2024

If your AC unit is low on refrigerant, or Freon as it’s commonly known, then you’re going to be paying for it.

First, you’ll likely see a spike in your electric bill as your AC works harder to cool your home with less refrigerant. Second, you risk a costly breakdown if the problem isn’t addressed.

To avoid these hassles and keep your cool affordably this year, watch out for these 7 signs of low refrigerant.

1. It takes a long time for your home to cool off. With high temperatures, your AC is working in overdrive to cool your home. Low refrigerant makes this worse with high indoor temperatures and high costs.
2. Vents are not blowing cool air. Warm or lukewarm air blowing through the vents could indicate many different issues, but low refrigerant could be one of the causes.
3. The temperature you set is never reached. If you put your thermostat at 75, but the thermometer never reaches that number, there’s an issue with your AC, and you need to have it checked.
4. Your electric bill is higher than normal. Comparing your electric bills month-to-month and year-to-year can help you identify issues with your HVAC unit. If you experience higher than normal electricity costs, have your air conditioner serviced.
5. Ice on refrigerant lines. If you suspect your air conditioner is low on refrigerant, check the unit for ice buildup. Ice accumulation on copper tubing or the evaporator coil occurs when an air conditioner does not have enough refrigerant.
6. Water leaking around the heater. When the ice accumulating on the refrigerant lines melts, water can then puddle up near the furnace. This water can then drip to the floor or into the furnace. You should never see water on the floor near your furnace.
7. Hissing or bubbling noise. If you’re low on refrigerant, it’s because there is a leak somewhere. A hissing or bubbling noise can indicate an AC refrigerant leak in the system which will have to be repaired by an HVAC service technician.

Don’t let low refrigerant ruin your summer with high temperatures and high energy costs. Get your air conditioner serviced today to get the temperature in your home and your electric bill back to normal.

The importance of buying the right refrigerant for your HVAC system

Your air conditioner is your best friend during hot summers. But just like your car needs the right oil, your AC relies on a specific type of refrigerant to keep your home comfortable. Choosing the wrong refrigerant can lead to a system meltdown (literally!) and leave you sweltering.

Here’s what you need to know about buying refrigerant for your AC.

Types of refrigerant

Freon (R-22) refrigerant was used in most air conditioning models until it was discovered to be destructive to the Ozone layer. The EPA recently ordered that it be phased out.

Luckily, there are a few other refrigerant options to choose from. They include:

• R-410A – Also known as Puron, R-410A has been approved for new air conditioning systems and doesn’t contribute to the destruction of the Ozone layer.
  • It does, however, operate at a higher pressure than Freon, so your system will need to have components in place to handle this increase.
• R-407C – Also ozone-friendly, with a similar operation to R-22 but slightly lower efficiency. It has a larger temperature difference between its liquid and gas states.
• R-134a – A widely used, ozone-friendly option with no temperature difference (no-glide). It was the first widely commercialized environmentally friendly refrigerant.(Commercial HVAC services are not currently offered by Richmond’s Air).

Choosing the right refrigerant for your AC

Now that you know the different types of refrigerant, which one is right for your air conditioner?

The best choice depends on your system. Generally, technicians recommend R-410A (Puron) for its high efficiency and eco-friendliness. However, it operates at higher pressure, so it’s best suited for newer AC units.

If you have an older system and aren’t planning a replacement soon, R-407C might be a better option. While less efficient than R-410A, it operates at similar pressures to older refrigerants like R-22.

Houston-area residents, contact Richmond’s Air for expert advice on refrigerant selection and other AC needs. We’re happy to help!