Storms are a necessary part of the water cycle. Unfortunately, they can cause serious damage to air conditioners that can cause refrigerant to leak. The worst problem here is when hail falls and seriously impacts your air conditioner coils.
Hail Can Damage An Air Conditioner
When storms fall and hail impacts an air conditioner, it can cause serious damage to its structure. For example, the fin of the air conditioner can break off and cause serious damage to the air conditioner. Even worse, when this hail hits the air conditioner coils, it can cause dents and even breaks in the coils that can cause serious leaks.
When coils are broken and leaking, refrigerant can start leaking out of your air conditioner. Refrigerant is the main item that keeps an air conditioner cooling properly. If it partially, or even fully leaks out of an air conditioner, it will run less effectively. Even worse, it could cause damage to the air conditioner, as refrigerant is a lubricating item.
Symptoms Of A Refrigerant Leak
After a serious hail storm, it is important to know how to spot symptoms of leaking refrigerant in an air conditioner. Just a few of the symptoms of a serious refrigerant leak after a major hail storm include the following:
- A hissing sound emerges from the exterior of the air conditioner
- The coils freeze over, due to excessive refrigerant on the surface
- Warm temperature on the surface of the coils
- It takes a longer time for the air conditioner to work properly
- Warm air comes out of the conditioner when it is set to its coolest
Make sure to pay special attention to these symptoms after a serious hail storm to make sure that the refrigerant isn't leaking from an air conditioner. When these problems occur, it is important to talk to a repair specialist right away.
The Average Cost Of Refrigerant Replacement
The price of repairing refrigerant in an air conditioner will vary depending on the air conditioner and who repairs it. For example, the average cost of detecting leaks and repairs can vary as wildly from $225-1,600 per repair.
Once the leak has been detected and repaired, the refrigerant also needs to be added to the air conditioner again. This will cost anywhere from $160-400. So, the minimal cost typical for this kind of repair varies from $385 all the way up to $2,000.
Though it might seem expensive to replace refrigerant in an air conditioner in this way, it is essential to keeping it working properly. It also requires repairing the damaged exterior of the air conditioner and keeping it from leaking out. Check with a company like Classic Air and Heating for more help.
