Imagine this: You notice your AC isn’t cooling properly, and you suspect a leak. Many homeowners take this course of action and try to diagnose a leak themselves, instead of getting a professional opinion. This can cause a multitude of issues, which can cause more problems than you started with, which is why getting professional input is important from the beginning. We’re going to look into why exactly professional leak detection is much more reliable than DIY methods and why these DIY methods can cause more problems than you initially started with.
Why is Leak Detection Important?
Leak detection is the method of identifying refrigerant or water leaks in an HVAC system before they cause major issues that could need more extensive repair or even replacement. Leak detection is important for several reasons, as it helps keep things running smoothly and prevents the need to deal with more severe situations. It’s important to prevent energy waste and high utility bills that can come with leaks. It also protects the AC from damage and improves air quality and comfort in the home.
Breakdown of DIY Leak Detection Methods
A lot of times, we see homeowners look into leak detection methods themselves, thinking that they can potentially pinpoint the problem. However, in more cases than not, this leads to more difficult situations and potentially harmful events that can cause further damage to the HVAC system. Here’s a look at some of the more common DIY leak detection methods and why they might not be the best idea for a homeowner.
Soap Bubble Test
This leak detection method includes spraying soapy water on suspected leak points. The idea is that if there is a leak, then the bubbles will form, showing where the leak is and proving that there is one. However, the biggest issue with this method is the fact that it only works with visible, accessible leaks. It isn’t effective for small or hidden leaks, meaning that you could still have a leak even if this method is “proving” that you don’t.
Hissing Sounds
Many homeowners might just listen around the area of the suspected leak to see if they hear hissing sounds of water or air coming out of a place. The issue here is that this method is not reliable at all, considering that many different sounds can mimic the sound of a leak, there could be interference with outside noises, or the hissing sound might not even point to a leak, but instead another issue.
Store Bought Detectors
There are some store-bought leak detectors or sealants that are on the market that many homeowners might look to if they are looking for a DIY method. Although these might be marketed towards homeowners and seem to work fine, they can actually give false readings and even cause more damage to the system.
Guesswork Approach
This method is essentially just guessing if there’s a leak and where it might come from. This can lead to unnecessary repairs or refrigerant loss if the homeowner is just taking a guess at what is wrong and where a leak is potentially coming from, leading to more trial and error.
Why Should You Choose a Professional?
We’ve discussed many of the common DIY leak detection methods and explained why they might not be the best choice, but let’s talk about why you should choose a professional. There are many different reasons why contacting a professional is the best route to go, and how they can help.
Certified HVAC Technicians
The first, and most understandable reason, is that they are professional and certified technicians in the HVAC industry. They’re trained and skilled to identify the type and source of leaks safely. They understand the refrigerant system and EPA regulations, which ensure that they are getting the correct information and can diagnose the problem effectively.
Specialized Equipment
Professionals have access to specialized equipment like electronic leak detectors, UV dye tests, and ultrasonic detectors, which are all much more reliable than a store-bought detector that an unqualified homeowner might be able to purchase. This equipment also allows them to pinpoint the leaks accurately, even if they are in hidden areas or underground lines.
Inspections
Professional HVAC technicians are able to do a comprehensive inspection that allows them to evaluate the entire cooling system, instead of just trying ot guess based on the symptoms that you are experiencing. It can also help detect future issues that potentially might pop up, before they become expensive problems.
Why Professional Leak Detection is the Best Option
From a homeowner’s perspective, sometimes it might seem like you can get things done yourself, while other times you might rely solely on a professional. Sometimes it can be difficult to figure out if you should jump straight to a professional or if you should look into trying to fix things yourself, but here are a few reasons why using professional leak detection can save you both money and stress as a homeowner
Prevents Expensive Repairs: When it comes to leak detection, early intervention helps to avoid further damage that could result in compressor damage or full system replacement, which is much more costly and more of a hassle than just leak repair.
Energy Efficiency: Your HVAC system uses quite a bit of energy, especially if there is a leak somewhere. Fixing small leaks can restore the cooling performance and lower your energy bills by improving energy efficiency throughout the HVAC system.
Warranty: Your warranty will be void if you decide to go forward with DIY leak repairs, whereas a professional repair will keep your warranty intact.
Choose All Year Cooling for Leak Detection
If you are a homeowner that is suspecting of an HVAC leak, then it’s time to get in contact with a professional. At All Year Cooling, we promise reliable diagnostics with long-term performance. We are available to send our HVAC experts out to your home and do a full inspection to detect any leaks that you may already suspect and leaks that you may not know about at all. We work all around South Florida, where the climate is humid and intense, so we understand the importance of having a reliable HVAC system that can keep up with the intense climate. Contact us today if you suspect a leak and would like our trained and skilled HVAC team to come inspect your system and get your cooling back up and running efficiently.