Freon is a refrigerant used in HVAC applications, and as you imagine, it’s supposed to stay in the line where it runs through your system. When leaks happen, they do more than just impede upon the operation of your air conditioner. They can actually cause problems for your heat pump or ductless heater on top of it.
So does a Freon leak affect heat? Yes, but not in the way you might expect. It can cause your heater to freeze entirely, depending on the severity of the leak, or it can lead to overheating. When a Freon leak happens, it’s a roll of the dice. Let’s help you make heads or tails of it.
Freon Can Cause System Freezing
Everything in your HVAC system is measured and put into place with specific attention to detail. With Freon, a leak can cause pressure to drop in your evaporator coil, which will lead to moisture finding its way onto the coil and freezing. This isn’t always a quick occurrence. Slow leaks can cause your system to freeze slowly over time, so you don’t realize the issue until it’s progressed to the point that your heater isn’t blowing out warm air anymore.
Your Energy Bills Will Rise
You’re trying to make a heater get hotter and warm your home. Freon leaks are the equivalent of increasing the difficulty level for your heater to do its job. Even if the effects are minimal at first, your heater will have to work harder just to perform the same as it did before, resulting in greater energy consumption.
When Your Heater Works Harder, it Wears Down Faster
If your heater has to work harder due to a Freon leak, it undergoes greater levels of wear and tear. Because Freon leaks often start out small, you may not notice this at first until your heater appears to be on for abnormally long, or doesn’t heat your home the way it used to.
If you can rule out that your heater doesn’t have any issues with operation, a Freon leak could be the culprit. Freon leaks cost you more in monthly energy bills, but they can also cost you more money in the long run due to earlier heater replacement.
You should never have to “top off” your system’s Freon levels. The Freon supply operates in a closed loop, so unless there’s a leak that lowers levels, you never need to add more. If your Freon levels are low, there’s a leak somewhere that could be impacting your heater.
Freon Can Be Dangerous, It’s Time to Call the Experts
Freon leaks are bad for your heater, but worse for your health. They can cause respiratory problems, irritation, and further damage to your HVAC system or your home. It’s time to call the experts to diagnose the root of the problem, source the leak, and seal it up. This is not a DIY solution.
Contact Air Supreme Heating and Air Conditioning today to get a technician out to your home to handle Freon leaks and restore your HVAC system as soon as possible.