A: First and foremost, why is it important to check for leaking refrigerant? Leaking refrigerant can reduce a system's efficiency and increase power consumption leading to increased costs in service, refrigerant, electricity, and downtime. It is crucial to inspect your system periodically to ensure no leaks.
There are three methods for detecting Freon leaks in your system: UV Light Test, Fluorescent Dye Test, and Pressure Test.
UV Light Test: The refrigerant in your air conditioner has an oil lubricant that radiates UV light. First, you should shade the area suspected of leaking and shine a UV light source on it - if fluorescent marks appear, the unit is leaking Freon. If that is the case, give us a call right away. We'd be happy to assist!
Fluorescent Dye Test: This test requires purchasing a fluorescent dye UV detection kit (Found on Amazon for $148.90). Per the instructions, you need to inject a certain amount of dye into the refrigerant and allow the system to run. You must thoroughly examine your AC system with fluorescent light with goggles on. The goggles will allow you to spot any Freon leak.
Pressure Test: This method will BEST detect freon leaks, which MUST be carried out by an HVAC technician. The system is pressurized with nitrogen. A technician monitors system pressures over a period to determine if there is a leak. A constant pressure reading denotes a system without leaks. A system with leaks will show pressure fluctuations.
