Will Running an AC System With Low Refrigerant Damage It?
August 3, 2022
SE HABLA ESPAÑOL
If there’s one thing every resident of Coral Gables, FL, knows, it’s that air conditioning is essential in the summer. You may not know that running your home’s AC system while it’s low on refrigerant can do some lasting damage, though. Here’s how refrigerant levels affect an AC system and the damage it can cause:
Saps Cooling Power
Your air conditioning system relies on its coolant to transfer heat from your home’s air to the outside. When your AC system runs without the right amount of refrigerant, it won’t be able to remove heat as efficiently. That will cause the system to work harder and longer to cool your home.
Leads to Wear and Tear
Without the right amount of coolant, your home’s AC system could experience icing on its evaporator coils. At first, this will just impede airflow and prevent your home from cooling down. But after a while, it could also cause the system’s blower fan to wear out because it’s unable to overcome the additional air pressure caused by the frozen evaporator coils.
Damages Your Compressor
Under normal circumstances, the refrigerant in your home’s AC absorbs heat from the indoor air and radiates it out via an outdoor compressor system. When there’s not enough refrigerant in the system, the compressor can burn out and require a complete replacement. It’s one of the most expensive AC repairs.
The bottom line is that it’s never a good idea to run your home’s AC system while it’s low on refrigerant. It’ll cost more to operate and will eventually break from the added stress on the system. Instead, contact Cool Running Air today to arrange for an AC maintenance appointment so we can get your refrigerant recharged and ready to keep you cool for years to come.
Image provided by iStock
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