Refrigerant is a vital component in air conditioning (AC). It helps it to run and perform well. When the refrigerant leaks, it interferes with the AC's performance, causing it to work harder. That said, it's vital to maintain the correct refrigerant level and prevent it from leaking.  

Unfortunately, refrigerant leakage is among the most common AC issues. However, this doesn't mean that the leakage should be occurring. If your AC refrigerant leaks, you should hire professional services like air conditioning repair Fishers, IN. And if you're looking forward to preventing leakage, here are some helpful tips. 

Check For Leaks 

The first step in protecting your AC refrigerant leaks is to check them. It's a straightforward procedure every homeowner can perform successfully. However, hiring professional HVAC technicians for a thorough job is advisable. During this procedure, they'll use ultraviolet (UV) dye or another method to determine the source of the leak. Once the stain is applied all over the system, the technician will use a detection lamp to find where the refrigerant leaks.  

Experts advise performing leak detection on centralized systems after 30 to 60 days. Effective refrigerant leak detection should include accurate methods, continuous system monitoring, and reliable notifications. Your HVAC contractor should also invest in a refrigerant leak monitor, alarm, and notification gadgets to alert you of leaks.  

These gadgets are best installed in areas prone to leak for effectiveness and accuracy. Suppose you'd want to know how to detect leaks and what you should do to correct the issue. Here's a video with details on refrigerant leaks and everything you should know about them. 

Apply Sealants 

As the name suggests, AC sealants are applied on the drain line to prevent refrigerant leakage. Once done, the seal creates a coat that obstructs gaps that could allow the refrigerant to leak. While sealants remediate leakage, it's vital to determine if it's compatible with your AC refrigerant before purchasing.  

Sealants are temporary and shouldn't be considered the primary solution. They should be used as first aid while waiting for a technician. Refrigerant leaks seem like minor issues fixable on the outside, but they could indicate a severe problem inside the system. Hiring professional services is vital to determine the cause of leaks and correct the issue accordingly. 

Schedule Annual Maintenance 

An annual AC checkup is the key to maintaining an efficient and better-performing system. Yearly maintenance will prevent leaks or detect them quickly and ensure every issue is caught in time. AC refrigerant leak isn't the only HVAC you can experience, the compressor could fail, and filters could be clogged. It means your AC could still be faulty even after attending to the leaks.  

With that in mind, ensuring your AC is professionally checked at least once a year for efficiency is advisable. Failure to which it might develop issues that could lead to its shutdown. 

Keep Refrigerant At The Correct Level 

AC refrigerant leakage depends on its level. If it's too high or too low, it's likely to leak and damage the system. Suppose the refrigerant level needs to be corrected; you should hire a technician to handle the issue, especially since experts discourage homeowners from handling refrigerants.  

Among the signs that the refrigerant level is too low is if the system takes a long time to cool your home. On the other hand, AC that provides too much hot air signifies the refrigerant level is too high. Be attentive to your AC's performance to determine when it's malfunctioning, and call a technician immediately to prevent it from wearing off. 

Replace The AC 

Unfortunately, replacing the AC is sometimes the only solution to prevent refrigerant leaks. It's even the case when dealing with an old system. Averagely, its lifespan is between 10 and 15 years. However, the system might last longer or shorter, depending on how you maintain it. If your AC is past these years, investing in a new one for efficiency would be best.  

The signs indicating you might require a new AC are if the system doesn't provide cold air, the airflow isn't ideal, the system is constantly leaking, it makes unusual sounds, it doesn't cool the entire home, it breaks regularly, and if it's more than 15 years old. 

Conclusion 

A leaking AC is an inefficient system. It's unlikely to perform better and likely to skyrocket energy bills. Fortunately, refrigerant leakage isn't the end of the system. There are many ways to repair the leakage, restore the system, and prevent it from leaking, such as the abovementioned ones.