An air conditioner doesn't use up refrigerant. If it is low, it is leaking. Topping it off without finding the leak only buys a few weeks, and running low on refrigerant makes the compressor work harder until it fails.
Lucas Air Conditioning and Heating finds and repairs refrigerant leaks, then recharges the system to the manufacturer's specification, for homes and businesses across Tavares and Lake County.
Low refrigerant is one of the most common causes of warm air from the vents in Tavares. Watch for:
- Air from the vents that is cool but not cold
- The system runs constantly and never reaches the set temperature
- Ice on the refrigerant lines or the indoor coil
- A hissing or bubbling sound near the indoor or outdoor unit
- Higher power bills with no change in how you use the AC
We check the system's pressures and temperatures to confirm the charge is low, then locate the leak with electronic leak detection and bubble testing at the usual suspects: the evaporator coil, the condenser coil, brazed joints, service valves and the line set. Once we find it, we explain the options and the cost before any work starts.
Small leaks at a valve or fitting are usually a straightforward repair. Leaks in an evaporator coil are harder: depending on the age of the system, replacing the coil or the whole system can be the better value, and we will tell you which.
After the repair we pull a vacuum to remove moisture and air, then charge the system to the manufacturer's specification and verify it with measured pressures and temperatures. A correct charge protects the compressor and brings back full cooling and dehumidification.
