Refrigerant doesn’t get much attention from homeowners, but it plays a central role in your AC’s ability to cool your home. Understanding the basics can help you catch problems early.
What Is Refrigerant?
Refrigerant is a combination of heat transfer fluids that circulates between your AC’s indoor and outdoor units. Inside, the evaporator coil evaporates the refrigerant to absorb heat from your home’s air. The refrigerant gas then travels to the outdoor unit, where it condenses back into a liquid and releases that heat outside. In a heat pump system, this process can be reversed in winter to pull heat from outdoor air and bring it inside.
The Biggest Refrigerant Problem: Leaks
Despite what many homeowners assume, refrigerant is not consumed during normal operation. Your system was charged at installation and recycles that refrigerant continuously. If levels are dropping, you have a leak.
A refrigerant leak will cause a gradual decline in cooling efficiency and, if left unaddressed long enough, can lead to a full system breakdown. If you notice your system struggling to cool your home or suspect a leak, contact a professional promptly.
Contact Fresh Air Cooling and Heating today for expert air conditioner services in Houston, TX.
