Would you recognize if your refrigerant was leaking?
A refrigerant leak isn’t always as obvious as a pool of liquid on the floor, so it’s vital you become familiar with the signs. From experience, we’ve learnt there are six common signs to look out for which could signal a refrigerant leak:
- Poor cooling – Your system suddenly can’t keep up when it reaches the hottest part of the day.
- The air becomes humid – When AC units remove warm air from inside, they dehumidify. If the air in your building suddenly feels a lot more humid, it could signal that your refrigerant is leaking.
- Ice on coils – Are there frosty ice crystals forming on the outside of your evaporator coils during the hot weather? It’s a sign that there could be a major leak.
- Weird noises – Can you hear a cat hiss like sound, or a sound similar to a pan boiling whilst your unit isn’t on? That’s a tell-tale sign of a refrigerant leak.
- Increase in bill value – If refrigerant leaks go unnoticed for an entire billing cycle, you’ll likely get a shock when you get your next bill.
- Longer cooling cycles – Sometimes it’s hard to notice if your AC is a few degrees lower than your thermostat setting, so the most obvious sign of longer cooling cycles is the sound of air moving through the vents.
Do you check that your heating and cooling system is working properly on a regular basis - i.e not waiting until it’s broken to do so?
We recommend that you become familiar with your unit so that you are able to spot changes in the way it operates immediately, alongside giving it a closer look on a monthly basis. Full service and checks should always be carried out by a professional, but once you’re familiar with your unit and get into the habit of keeping an eye on it once a month, you can monitor any sudden needs for professional support.
Do you clean and sanitize your coils on the inside unit twice a year in line with regulations?
Guidance currently states that your AC condenser coil should be cleaned at least twice per year. That doesn’t however mean that you can’t do more. If your air conditioner is active regularly, we recommend the cleanings should be more frequent.
Do you check and clean the filter regularly, once a month for systems in use?
The filter is one of the most used components in an air conditioning unit as it filters out all the dust and bacteria circulating in the air. That’s why it’s imperative to change or clean it at least once a month if your system is regularly in use.
Are you familiar with the process of checking electrical connections and have this performed on a regular basis?
Whilst an electrical check should always be carried out by a trained professional, there are obvious signs to look out for that will signal you may have an issue. Be sure to pay attention to any changes to wires which are visible and contact a professional if you notice something off.
Similarly, if your unit doesn’t seem to be working correctly and you can’t identify the cause inline with our other tell-tale signs, reach out to a professional for an electrical check.
Does your AC unit struggle to achieve the desired temperature?
If your unit is struggling to reach the temperature you desire, it’s a clear indicator that there is a problem. The most common causes are:
- A dirty filter
- Refrigerant leaks
- Connectivity issues
- Wrong sized unit
- Plants causing obstruction
Is there often a funny smell when you turn on the unit?
If there’s a foul smell when you turn on your unit, it’s likely that you’ve not been cleaning your unit as regularly as you should be.
Dust, hair, and moisture can gather on the filter and encourage mildew growth – the reason for the awful odour when the air conditioner runs. To help prevent this odour, clean or replace the filter regularly.
Are there any strange noises from the system?
If you hear strange noises coming from your air conditioner, we’re sorry to say but it's very likely that there is an issue which needs professional attention.
Typically, the issue is either loose parts, refrigerant leaks, or a broken compressor.
Are you aware of the rules and regulations surrounding the inspection and servicing of your equipment?
Under the EU -F-Gas Regulations, your equipment should undergo a check from a professional at least twice per year. We would advise the dates of the two visits per annum are scheduled in March or April (prior to warmer months) and September or October (prior to use in heating mode).
Is the inspection and servicing of your equipment up to date?
As previously mentioned, your equipment should be checked by a professional at least twice a year. If this isn’t the case for your business, you are currently operating with equipment that is not legally serviced correctly.
Do you switch off your systems for a long period of time and not check them when switching them back on?
If for any reason you’ve had to leave your AC unit off for a long period of time, we’d always recommend giving it a once over before you switch it back on. Perform a clean, check the plugs and wires, and ensure the refrigerant level is what it should be.
If you’re in any doubt, please contact a professional engineer.
Download your air conditioning health check pdf here
If you have any questions, you can call 01274 962 430 for further information.