Every summer, many households witness their utility bills swelling up not only due to the rise in electricity bills but also due to rise in maintenance of summer appliances, such as air conditioners and refrigerators. Gas leakage is a common issue for air conditioners, forcing homeowners spend thousands on fixing the problem.
The refrigerant in air conditioners produces toxic fumes and exposure to this, in case of a leak, could cause skin irritation, headache, nausea, brain tissue damage, and can also affect lungs. Therefore, it is important to keep gas leak via air conditioners in check and fix it on time.
What is gas leakage in AC?
All air conditioners come with coolants, a substance, typically liquid, used to reduce or regulate the temperature of a system. Also known as an antifreeze, coolants can quickly change states and are key for an air conditioner’s effective functioning. In case of any leakage of this refrigerant, also called Freon, the AC will certainly not work properly.
What are the signs of AC gas leakage?
Rise in temperature:Â Gas leak means your air conditioner would not function properly. This could reflect in either sub-par efficiency or an opposite effect. Due to a refrigerant leak, each time you switch on the AC, the temperature in the room will either rise or the colling would be very minimal.
Frozen evaporator coils:Â Another clear sign of an AC gas leak is the freezing of the evaporator coils. This would manifest itself in the form of ice build-up on the coil and other parts of the machine. However, gas leak is among the many causes for frozen evaporator coils, and not the only one.
Hissing or gurgling sounds:Â The machine would start making unusual sounds in the wake of a gas leak. These hissing, gurgling, and tiny blasting sounds would come either from the part outside or inside the room. Pay attention to these signs.
Foul smell: As the coolant will produce toxic fumes in case of a leakage, your AC will emit foul smell. The smell be like the odour produced by exhaust fans.
Oil residue on surface: While the coolant is the working fluid needed for cooling, the lubricant oil is required for lubrication of the compressor’s moving mechanical parts. Gas leak can lead to oil leak on the surface of the air conditioner.
Leaking water:Â The coolant absorbs heat and passes through the evaporator coil to cool it. In the event of a gas leak, there is not enough refrigerant in the system, and it would show up in the form of the unit leaking water.
Dizziness:Â The toxic fumes during the leak would made one feel dizzy over exposure. If your head spins each time, you run the AC, the machine has certainly undergone a gas leak.
Increase in power bill:Â By this time, you would have known the issue that your power bill has increased due to gas leak, so get it resolved.
Methods involved in AC gas leak detection
One can detect AC coolant leak in the following ways:
Visual inspection
Check the machine, its surface, and surroundings for visual, as well as olfactory indications for leakage. If there is oil residue on the surface or water dripping from the AC, it can easily be a case of coolant leakage. If your AC is delivering sub-par performance, that too is a sure-shot sign of a leakage.
Electronic leak detector
A highly reliable devise, that is well-known for providing accurate results, an electronic leak detector can help you if your AC is having an issue. A simple leak detection tool, an electronic leak detector is quite handy. Bring the devise close to the area where you suspect a possible leakage, and the device will confirm your suspicion.
Bubble water or soapy water detection
This is the most common approach for repair workers. In this method, the system is filled with 10-20 kg/cM2 pressure nitrogen. Many parts of the system are smeared with soapy water.
Halogen lamp detection
Halogen leak detectors find leaks in air conditioning systems. This can be done by holding the lit-up halogen lamp close to the system. The flame colour will turn into purple blue in case of a leak. However, this method should not be tried by those not professionally trained due to the high risk involved.
Can I conduct a gas leak test on my air conditioner?
One can detect the fault himself by checking for signs of leakage as mentioned above. However, a trained professional should be called to fix the issue.
Can I fix AC gas leak myself?
The air conditioner is a complex machine, and it is not recommended to fix issues yourself. Once a gas leak is spotted, a qualified technician must be contacted to deal with the problem.
How to prevent AC gas leak?
Even though gas leak would happen with time, there are ways by which you can delay the process.
Invest in ACs with copper condenser: AC condensers are typically made of copper, or aluminium, or alloy. ACs equipped with copper condensers function better against corrosion and oxidation. Even though they cost slightly more than the more commonly available aluminium condenser variants, they save a great deal of time and energy in the long run. The price difference between the two types is negligible: copper-condenser ACs would usually cost Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 more than aluminium condenser variants.
Remember, with time, both these metals will corrode. It is only a matter of how soon.
Regular servicing: Even if your air conditioner is in perfect condition, servicing of the equipment should be done to detect any faults at the start of the summer. Regular servicing is a way to keep AC leaks at bay.
Protection cover: When not in use, the exposed part of the AC must be guarded with a protective cover to keep it secure as exposure to elements can cause gas leaks.
Conclusion
As average temperatures increase globally, air conditioners have become more of a necessity than a luxury for an average person. While these are necessary for a comfortable living, the ultimate cost of having and maintaining this could be extreme expensive and may impact your annual power bills significantly. Investing in quality air conditioners is central to its performance and maintenance. Do your research and due diligence before finalising a product. Also invest in a piece less detrimental to the environment than its peers.
FAQs
What is a coolant?
A coolant is a fluid used to correct operating temperature range.
What are coolants made of?
Coolants are made of ethylene glycol or propylene, water, and protection additives.
What is the colour of coolants?
Coolants are typically green, blue, or pink in colour.
What is oxidation of metals?
Oxidation is a chemical reaction of a metal when brought in contact with oxygen present in air. The exposure causes some metal to corrode or oxidize and form a metal oxide on the surface. Red rust formation is often the result of this reaction.
What is refrigerant poisoning?
Refrigerant poisoning is the human exposure to gas leak from air conditioners.
What are the signs of refrigerant poisoning?
The signs of refrigerant poisoning include:
(1) Swelling in throat or sinuses
(2) Difficulty in breathing
(3) Severe pain in nose, throat, or sinuses
(4)Burning sensation on eyes, nose, ears, lips, or tongue
(5) Vision loss
(6) Severe stomach pain
(7) Vomiting
(8) Diarrhoea
(9) Indigestion
(10) Heartburn
(11) Blood in your vomit or stool
(12) Irregular heartbeat
(13) Fainting
(14) Skin irritation
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