Why You Should Be Worried About a Freon Leak

Afraid you might have a freon leak or another issue with your HVAC system? Call Gladiator Services today at (201) 512-8972!

Modern-day appliances like our air conditioners, water heaters, and sump pumps provide plenty of conveniences. Nonetheless, they still require proper maintenance.

Regularly maintaining your HVAC systems can save you time and money. Additionally, doing so safeguards your family's health. Any appliance that uses gas or chemicals to function needs regular check-ups, including your air conditioner.

Your AC unit has many parts, and it’s susceptible to issues like freon leaks. Families experience various health risks when exposed to freon for long periods. This quick guide will explore what freon is, the issues it causes, how to detect freon, and more. 

The best way to prevent freon leaks is having an annual air conditioning repair by Gladiator Services in Franklin Lakes, NJ! 

What You Should Know About Freon 

The word "freon" originated with the American company DuPont, which used to be the world's largest chemical supplier. Chemours Company later trademarked freon, with freon 22 being the most common type of refrigerant used in residential homes.

Professionals refer to freon 22 as a R-22 refrigerant. The primary purpose behind refrigerant is cooling appliances like air conditioners or being a propellant inside aerosol cans. 

Despite freon's popularity, people discovered that this chlorofluorocarbon damages the ozone layer. In 2005, manufacturers removed all forms of freon from their appliances. Instead, they replaced freon with a more environmentally friendly refrigerant called R-410A. 

Finally, a new law passed that no appliances after 2010 can use freon. However, air conditioners before 2010 most likely still use freon to cool homes. Besides environmental impacts, freon carries other adverse effects. 

What Are Some Health Risks Associated with Freon? 

Freon is a harsh chemical, so a freon leak can pose a severe risk to you and your family. Furthermore, besides your AC unit experiencing a refrigerant leak, your car can, too. Additionally, a car released before 1994 might use freon.

Immediate health risks of a freon leak include: 

• Irritated eyes 
• Dizziness 
• Coughing and throat irritation 
• Headaches or migraines 

These symptoms occur after short-term exposure to a freon leak. However, long-term exposure results in far worse symptoms, including:

• Rapid heartbeat
• Loss of consciousness, including blackouts
• Difficulty breathing or overall shortness of breath 
• Vomiting 
• Death

When faced with these symptoms, it's best to seek medical assistance. Doing so will prevent these symptoms from escalating. Additionally, you should call an HVAC team to repair your freon leak.

How Can You Detect Freon Leaks? 

There's a common misconception that freon leaks don't occur today. Although it's true that AC units produced after 2010 don't contain freon, it's still possible to buy a never-used AC unit built before 2010. This unit may potentially use freon. 

Detecting a freon leak inside your AC unit isn't always straightforward and can take time. This process is the same for many refrigerants, unfortunately. However, most homeowners report smelling a sweet odor when freon leaks. 

A professional HVAC technician can inspect your unit further. If you have a leak, it'll most likely start as a pinhole leak before expanding. Most technicians call these leaks "champagne leaks" due to seeing minor bubbles in a unit's evaporator coils. 

Unfortunately, it's easy to overlook a refrigerant leak, especially early on. However, regular HVAC technician inspections go a long way to prevent leaks and other issues. 

Potential Causes of a Freon Leak 

Freon and other refrigerant leaks have many potential causes, including: 

• Improper installation: You can save a few extra bucks in the beginning by installing an AC unit yourself. Yet, you risk installing it improperly. An HVAC technician should test your system's soldering, ensuring there are no freon leaks. 
• Metal erosion: Metal erosion is a leading cause of freon leaks. Formaldehyde corrosion or formic acid can erode metal over long periods, depleting metal and freeing up freon. Repairing or replacing the unit's coils or replacing the entire unit can resolve this issue. 
• Other forms of damage: Other damage to your unit—including natural wear and tear—may also trigger a freon leak. Since manufacturers produced air conditioners using freon before 2010, many are reaching the end of their lifespan today. 
• Units with factory defects: It's nearly impossible to tell if an AC unit is defective at handling freon without consulting a technician. To make matters worse, most air conditioning companies will void a warranty if an untrained technician administers repairs. 

How Much Does It Cost to Fix a Freon Leak? 

The national average cost to fix a freon leak is around $800. However, this figure depends on several factors, like the severity of the leak and the size of your unit. Therefore, repair costs can range between $150 to $2,000. 

Another vital expense involves properly regulating your refrigerant level. Most freon refills are $150 or lower. However, just like repair costs, the size of your unit impacts this number.

Many homeowners pay closer to $200 to $400. Massive units might require closer to $600. 

Why Regular Maintenance Is Important

Regular maintenance is critical to prevent a freon leak or other air conditioning issues. Often, a freon leak can lead to substantial damage. 

You might not be able to prevent buying a defective unit. However, you can regularly schedule maintenance sessions with a qualified HVAC technician. Signs you might need an AC unit repair or replacement include: 

• Skyrocketing energy bills 
• Your unit is ten years or older
• Poor air quality 
• Hearing loud or hissing noises coming from your unit
• Leaks of any kind, including refrigerant and water

Repairing an AC unit in the short term can also prevent more expensive bills. 

Call Gladiator Services Today

Gladiator Services is proud to help families in Franklin Lakes, NJ, and the surrounding areas. We bring years of experience paired with the best technology. From regular maintenance sessions to extensive AC repairs and replacements, you can count on us. 



Know the signs that you might have a bad air conditioner compressor or a freon leak by calling Gladiator Services at (201) 512-8972!