Have you been wondering Why Is Freon so Expensive | HVAC San Diego King? Well, one of the reasons why it’s costly is because its production is heavily restricted. Additionally, it is known to cause serious health issues when inhaled or ingested. So its use is closely monitored.
In case you’ve been exposed to this harmful gas and you are not sure if you’ve been poisoned by it, read on to find out more about the signs and symptoms to look out for.
The Symptoms of Freon Poisoning
The symptoms of Freon poisoning are dependent on various factors. Some of these include:
- Duration of exposure (short or long term)
- Whether the solution was inhaled or ingested
- Whether the solution got on your skin.
You may display a single symptom of Freon poisoning or many at a time. If you get exposed too much, you could experience mild symptoms initially. Then, it’ll gradually increase over time.
Here are some common symptoms of Freon poisoning:
- Heartburn or indigestion
- Hemorrhage
- Throwing up blood
- A swollen sinuses or throat
- Severe pain in the throat or mouth
- Breathing difficulty
- Burning sensation in the nose, lips, ears, or tongue
- Diarrhea or vomiting
- Skin irritation
- Vision loss
- Chronic stomach pain
- Irregular heartbeat
- Feeling fragile or fainting
- Blood in your stool or vomit
Importantly, if any member of your household displays any of the symptoms mentioned above after getting exposed to freon, you should call a doctor or an ambulance immediately.
What Causes Freon To Leak In The Home?
Wear and Tear
Wear and tear of your AC’s rubber parts are one of the commonest reasons for leakage. Even though most parts of your AC are created with metal, there are still some rubber parts inserted to avoid leaks. Over time, these parts crack and dry out, which makes the Freon inside leak out.
Exposure To Road Brine & Salt
A lot of homeowners have reported that their AC doesn’t function appropriately during spring. This is mainly caused by brine and road salt, which were used in melting icy roads during winter. When deposits of sodium chloride mix with water, it can corrode some parts of an AC system leading to leakage.
Condenser Unit Vibration
An improperly installed outdoor unit can experience chronic vibrations, which can, in turn, weaken or fracture refrigerant lines. This is why it’s recommended that AC systems are anchored with vibration isolators to take in excess movement. Your AC could also experience vibration if some parts are worn out.
Physical Damage
When installed too close to the home, the condenser system is prone to accidents and damages caused by a lawn mower, children, or animals. For instance, while cutting the grass, mowers can wing sticks and rock against the unit.
Weak Stress Points
There are many stress points in the air conditioning system. This includes the weld points within the copper lines which lead in and out of your home and access fittings. One of the commonest stress points known for leaking is the access fittings, also called service valves.
Things To Do To Fix A Freon Leak In Refrigerator
A leaking refrigerant needs urgent attention. Since the refrigerant is highly toxic and can cause serious health issues, it’s best to contact an expert instead of attempting to repair the leak by yourself. When you hire a technician, they can easily locate the leaking part and do the necessary repair.
If the leakage was caused by a corroded hole, the technician could use an adhesive to patch it or weld a patch on the condenser tube. They may also replace the whole condenser tube if the leakage is severe.
Signs Of Freon Leak In Refrigerator
The Food Feels Warm Inside The Refrigerator
Your refrigerator’s ability to function well will be affected if its Freon leaks. As a result, it won’t be able to keep the food and beverages inside as cold as required.
The Motor In The Refrigerator Is Constantly Running
A Freon leakage causes your refrigerator’s engine to work longer to try to compensate for the insufficient refrigerant. As a result, it puts the motor under excessive pressure and increases the chances of the refrigerator malfunctioning.
Increased Electricity Bills
As your refrigerator tries harder to operate, it requires more energy which automatically increases your electricity usage. This can cause an increase in your energy bills.
Smelling A Foul Odor
Freon and other types of refrigerants produce a nearly foul odor. If you can’t pinpoint the origin of a foul odor in your unit, you should book a Freon leak inspection. It would help to determine if the smell is a result of a Freon leak or not.
A Freon leakage shouldn’t be taken for granted. If you notice any of the signs and symptoms of Freon leakage mentioned above, you should get the required treatment and contact an HVAC technician on time.