Dangers Of AC Refrigerant Leak You Shouldn't Ignore

A refrigerant is a key component in the AC that comprises chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). The refrigerant draws in heat from the ambient air and ejects it through the outside unit. Proper AC maintenance is crucial for the coolant to facilitate heat transfer effectively. If you neglect servicing your unit, a leak may occur, causing a gradual reduction of the refrigerant. In addition to reducing the AC's cooling power, inhaling a leaking coolant poses serious health hazards. Therefore, if you suspect your AC has sprung a refrigerant leak, contact an AC repair technician to address the issue. The following are the dangers of a refrigerant leak.

It Is Hazardous to Human Health

A refrigerant contains toxic chemicals that can harm your health when inhaled. If you are exposed to the refrigerant for long periods, you can suffer poisoning and frostbite. While the symptoms of short-term exposure to the coolant are mild such as skin cracking, throat irritation, nausea, and coughing, prolonged exposure can lead to critical medical conditions such as convulsions, seizures, tremors, and loss of consciousness. You must hire an AC repair expert to fix the coolant leak and avert the risk of accidental refrigerant poisoning.

It Is a Danger to the Environment

The refrigerant is made of CFCs which must be disposed of properly as they are highly volatile. If the CFCs are ejected into the environment, they can harm animal and plant life and contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer. Moreover, the AC units that use hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) as a coolant have a greater global warming capability than carbon dioxide. Therefore, you must engage an AC professional to repair the leak and dispose of your AC at the end of its service life to reduce the environmental effects of the refrigerant.

It Can Damage Your AC

The refrigerant is a cooling agent that ensures the compressor is functioning properly. When a leak occurs, the compressor undergoes a lot of pressure to pump a limited coolant resulting in compressor burnout and freezing evaporator coils. Moreover, low refrigerant levels will hinder heat dissipation to the atmosphere causing your AC to work longer. To prevent damage to your AC components, contact an AC repairer to fix your refrigerant leak and restore peak performance.

Although refrigerant leaks may frequently occur due to age-related deterioration, regular maintenance is crucial in preventing them. A certified AC repair technician will diagnose your system, ascertain the cause of the leaks and patch them to maintain optimal cooling.

For more information on AC repair, contact a professional near you.

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