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How To Fix A Freon Leak In An HVAC System

Inside all air conditioning systems and heat pumps, there is a substance known as Freon. This can be also known as refrigerant. This substance is perfect for transporting heat from one location to another. Freon can be very dangerous. It can cause respiratory illness, nausea, eye irritation, and difficulty breathing. Fixing refrigerant leaks requires proper training and knowledge to ensure your utmost safety.

How to Identify the Source of a Freon Leak

Freon travels through copper piping and various coils in any typical HVAC system. Common places for leaks include evaporator coils, suction lines, and return lines. They can also occur in the condenser unit. You'll notice a buildup of corrosion on the exterior of the copper piping. This buildup will have a white color, sometimes mixed with a green tint.

How to Fix a Freon Leak

When it comes to replacing the refrigerant seepage, there are two main options. You can replace the entire leaking part with a new one. Or, you can use a sealant to contain the leak and stop it going into the future. The method you use will depend on many factors. This can include the size of the leak, its location, the age of the existing part, and so forth.

When replacing whole parts, HVAC professionals need to purge all the copper lines. Your HVAC technician must do this with nitrogen. This helps to clean out any excess debris that has found its way into the copper lines. This is vital to prevent any unwanted damage to the HVAC system's compressor. Your HVAC professional must do this before you reinstall the lines.

How to Prevent a Freon Leak in the Future

One of the best ways to prevent refrigerant drips is to update refrigerant parts. Copper lines, connections, and other hardware help to transport Freon. You should replace these on a consistent basis. This can help to reduce any unwanted seeping of refrigerant.

Regular inspections allow HVAC technicians to find small leaks and fix them. Your HVAC technicians need to fix it before it gets worse. Customers should get one inspection from your HVAC technicians each year. Your HVAC professionals should be able to assess each system. They should also be able to detect any prospective refrigerant seepage.

Call Us Today

If you need new parts or other tools to fix a Freon leak, then it's time to give us a call. Let our knowledgeable sales professionals assist you with all your HVAC needs.