How Low Refrigerant Levels Damage Your AC in Colorado Springs, CO

When your air conditioning system’s refrigerant levels dip too low, it can cause trouble for your indoor comfort and expensive damage to your Colorado Springs, CO air conditioning system. Here are a few ways in which low refrigerant levels can damage an AC system.

Reduced Cooling Power

The refrigerant in your AC system is crucial in cooling your home, acting as the medium that absorbs and removes heat from the air. Insufficient refrigerant cannot effectively carry out this heat exchange when levels become too low. This results in your air conditioning system struggling to cool the air, affecting your indoor air quality.

Ice Accumulation on Coils

Low refrigerant levels can also cause ice to accumulate on the evaporator coils. As the air passes over the cold evaporator coils, humidity from the air can accumulate on them and can freeze into a thick layer of ice. This reduces airflow, leading to malfunctioning components.

Damaged Compressor

The compressor in your AC unit plays a pivotal role as it circulates the refrigerant through the system, making the cooling process possible. When the refrigerant level is low, the compressor has to work harder to achieve the same cooling effect, leading to an overworked and overheated compressor. This excessive heat impairs its efficiency and can cause it to fail.

Increased Utility Costs

Low refrigerant levels in your air conditioning system can result in early shut-offs and the unit running longer, leading to higher energy bills. This is because the compressor has to work harder than normal to produce enough cooling power.

Low refrigerant levels can cause your AC system to break down, requiring costly repair and decreasing efficiency. Our team has many years of experience working in the industry and understands the stresses of a broken HVAC system. Contact I.C.E. Heating & Cooling if you suspect your air conditioning needs repair and is low on refrigerant in your Colorado Springs, CO home.