Illinois summers aren’t known for their scorching summer days, but there are still heat waves and uncomfortable temperatures that drive people indoors.
But if your air conditioner isn’t working right or doesn’t have enough Freon, you’re left with a hot, uncomfortable home. Failing to repair it could also result in a damaged system or sky-high energy bills trying to compensate for the inefficiencies.
Contact the Schaumburg heating and cooling experts at On the Mark to service all of your HVAC needs, but you can start by assessing whether or not you need Freon and what to do next.
Freon is the brand name for air conditioning refrigerant and is made up of carbon, chlorine, and fluorine which are known as chlorofluorocarbons. Most people use the word “Freon” regarding refrigerants of any kind. However, Freon is actually the name of a brand and is used interchangeably when people talk about air conditioning refrigerants.
The answer lies in what kind of Freon or refrigerant you use in your system. Air conditioning units that ran on R-22 or Freon-22 are now banned in the U.S. for their negative impact on the ozone layer. These types of Freon were made illegal in the U.S. decades ago and are now replaced by safer and more efficient refrigerants.
Your air conditioner needs a Freon to keep its coils cool. Otherwise, an air conditioner is just a fan blowing warm air around your house without it. The cooling effect occurs when you add refrigerant to the specified area inside your AC unit. As the air inside your home is pulled into the HVAC, it’s cooled and circulated back into your home to keep you feeling comfortable.
Good news! You may never have to add more Freon to your air conditioning unit during its lifespan. HVACs are closed systems, and Freon doesn’t leave the system. However, it is possible to experience leaks or other issues that ultimately require adding more Freon to your unit. When you fix the leak, you should be able to enjoy cold air again without adding additional Freon over the following months and years.
A Freon leak is challenging to identify, as the chemical can exist as a gas at room temperature or a liquid when it’s cooled. The leak could present as a puddle leaking out of your unit, but it may not be noticeable as a leaking gas.
Here are some clues to look for:
Call the technicians at On the Mark to address any Freon-related issues, fix your unit, or provide the maintenance your AC needs to extend its lifespan.
Adding Freon to your air conditioner yourself is tempting if you need immediate relief from the summer heat. But it’s not wise or safe to do it yourself. Low levels could point to a leak or other problem. Putting Freon into your unit could damage your air conditioner and cause more expensive repair bills in the long run.
The technicians at On the Mark are trained to address air conditioning issues, resolve cracks and leaks, and add more Freon as necessary. Trying to fix or recharge the Freon yourself could void the warranty of your air conditioning unit. Because you attempted to fix it yourself, the warranty is likely void and won’t cover future repairs.
An air conditioner is a significant investment and directly impacts the comfort and liveability of your home. Don’t risk the integrity of your unit by trying to replace Freon yourself. Call the experts to assess the issue, repair your unit, and add Freon as needed. Whether you need us to check your freon, make a repair, or install a new unit or AC system, we’re here to help. Contact us to schedule Schaumburg, IL air conditioning maintenance, an estimate, or a repair today!
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