Key Points
- The “gas” in your AC is refrigerant. It circulates in a closed loop and is never used up, so low refrigerant almost always means there’s a leak.
- Watch for 5 warning signs: poor cooling, frozen coils, hissing or bubbling sounds, unusual odors, and rising electric bills.
- Shut the system off if you notice any of these signs, and schedule professional refrigerant leak repair and recharge.
- Leak repair is not a DIY job. Handling refrigerant requires EPA certification.
- A rotten-egg smell is not refrigerant. It can signal a natural gas leak from a gas appliance. Leave your home right away and call your gas utility or 911.
1. Your Air Conditioner Is Not Cooling Properly
If your air conditioner is not cooling your home properly, a refrigerant leak could be the cause. When refrigerant runs low, your system can’t absorb as much heat from indoor air, so the air from your vents may feel warm, or the AC may run for long stretches without reaching your thermostat setting. In some cases, the system may also short-cycle, turning on and off more often than it should. If you notice this happening, turn off your air conditioner and check for the other signs listed below.
Contact an Ellis Air Conditioning & Heating technician to take a look. We can fix a multitude of problems with your air conditioner through our AC repair service, including refrigerant leaks.
2. The Coils Are Frozen
If warm air is blowing from your air conditioner, frozen coils could be to blame, and they are a common indicator of a refrigerant leak. When the refrigerant is low, the pressure inside the indoor evaporator coil drops, and the coil gets cold enough to freeze the moisture in the air passing over it. You may see ice on the indoor coil or on the copper refrigerant line running to your outdoor unit. If you notice that your coils are frozen, turn your air conditioner off and let them thaw completely. Don’t chip or scrape the ice away, since that can damage the coil.
Once they thaw out, you will be able to double-check for other signs of a leak. To help you see the outdoor condenser coil better, you can use a can of compressed air to gently clear loose surface debris, such as leaves and dust, from the fins. Once the surface is clear, look for oily residue on the coil or around the line connections, which can point to where refrigerant is escaping. Avoid bending the fins or spraying into the coil at close range. Deeper cleaning is best left to a pro through professional AC coil cleaning.
Keep in mind that frozen coils aren’t always caused by a leak. A clogged air filter or blocked airflow can freeze coils, too, so check your filter first and consider regular AC and furnace air filter replacements to rule this out.
3. Hissing or Bubbling Sounds Coming From Your Air Conditioner
Unusual sounds coming from your air conditioner can also indicate a refrigerant leak. A hissing sound often means refrigerant is escaping through a small hole or crack in a coil, a refrigerant line, a valve, or a fitting. A bubbling or gurgling sound can point to a larger leak.
Other problems can cause strange noises too, like loose parts, a failing fan motor, or AC compressor trouble. Hissing and bubbling, however, are the sounds most closely tied to refrigerant leaks. If you hear either one, turn your air conditioner off and listen near both the indoor and outdoor units to narrow down where it’s coming from. If you are not able to locate the cause of the sound, call a professional.
4. Unusual Odors Coming From Your Air Conditioner
Unusual odors coming from your air conditioner are another of the 5 signs it’s leaking gas. Many refrigerants have little to no smell, but some homeowners notice a faintly sweet or chloroform-like odor when there is a leak. If you smell something unusual, shut off your air conditioner, open windows to ventilate the area, and call a professional.
Safety note: If you smell rotten eggs or sulfur, that is not refrigerant. It can be a natural gas leak from a furnace, water heater, or other gas appliance. Leave your home immediately and call your gas utility or 911 from outside. For urgent AC problems that can’t wait, our team offers emergency HVAC repair.
5. Your Electric Bills Are Higher Than Normal
A refrigerant leak can push your electric bill higher than normal. When refrigerant is low, your AC has to run longer to cool your home, and that extra runtime shows up on your bill. High electricity bills can point to many problems, such as dirty filters, leaky ductwork, or an aging system, so look for this sign alongside the others above.
To get your electricity bills back to normal, have a professional find and fix the leak instead of just adding more refrigerant. Routine AC maintenance can also help catch small leaks before they lead to bigger bills.
Why You Shouldn’t Just “Top Off” a Leaking AC
Adding refrigerant without fixing the leak is a short-term patch that usually ends up costing more over time. Here’s why a proper repair matters:
- The leak comes back. The refrigerant will keep escaping until the leak is found and sealed.
- It takes a certified technician. The U.S. EPA advises homeowners to choose a technician with Section 608 certification to service systems that contain refrigerant.
- Running low strains your system. An AC that keeps operating with low refrigerant works harder, which can wear out major components faster.
- Older systems face limited supply. According to the EPA, no new R-22 refrigerant has been produced or imported in the U.S. since January 1, 2020. Older R-22 systems can still be serviced with reclaimed supply, but if your system is aging and leaking, AC replacement may be the better long-term option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an AC refrigerant leak dangerous?
A small refrigerant leak is usually more of a performance problem than an immediate health threat. You still shouldn’t breathe concentrated refrigerant or touch a leaking line. Turn off your system, ventilate the area, and call a professional.
Can I recharge my AC refrigerant myself?
No. Refrigerant should only be handled by an EPA-certified technician, and simply adding refrigerant won’t fix the leak that caused the problem in the first place.
Does AC refrigerant need to be replaced regularly?
No. Refrigerant isn’t used up during normal operation. If your system is low, there’s a leak that needs to be found and repaired.
Is a refrigerant leak the same as a gas leak from my furnace?
No. Refrigerant is the substance that cools your home. A natural gas leak comes from gas-burning appliances and usually smells like rotten eggs. A natural gas leak is an emergency, so leave your home and call your gas utility or 911.
Should I repair or replace an AC with a refrigerant leak?
It depends on your system’s age, where the leak is, and which refrigerant it uses. A technician can inspect your system and walk you through both options.
Get Fast AC Refrigerant Leak Repair in Dallas, TX
Ellis AC & Furnace Repair can help you with any problem you have with your air conditioner. If you are experiencing any of these 5 signs that your air conditioner is leaking gas, call us at 972-291-9316. Our technicians are ready to find the leak, complete your refrigerant recharge, and make sure your air conditioner is working properly.
Contact us if you are experiencing any of these issues. We will send a technician to help you and get your home cool again in no time.