Five Signs Your Refrigerator is Leaking Freon
Freon is a compound that’s used for heat transfer in modern refrigerators. This is kept under pressure; it’s circulated to remove heat from the internal storage compartments. This makes the compartments cool and at the desired temperature set on the thermostat. This efficient system works well, but it is a closed system, and a freon leak will prevent normal operations. This may be gradual with a tiny leak, and the performance may be degraded, but you may not notice for quite some time. Eventually, too much freon will be lost, and the refrigerator may stop working. In this article, we will look at common signs of a freon refrigerator and what you can do to fix the problem.
Do Modern Refrigerators Use Freon?
The short answer is no. All refrigerators manufactured after 2020 will not use freon as a refrigerant. For many decades, this compound was chosen to remove heat from refrigerator compartments. However, this synthetic compound gas is toxic, must be handled by professionals, and is very bad for the environment. For these reasons, the US discontinued the importation and production of freon in January 2020. The latest refrigerators now use HFC-134a or some other hydrofluorocarbons instead.
Signs Your Refrigerator Has a Leak:
Whether your refrigerator uses freon or another form of refrigerant, some common signs indicate it has developed a leak.
1. The Stored Food is Warm
Let’s start with the most apparent sign first. We expect our food to be excellent when we pull it out of the refrigerator, but if it feels warm, this is a sure sign that something is wrong. Even at the earlier stage of a refrigerant leak, you may notice that food doesn’t last as long as it used to. If you’ve just filled your refrigerator with groceries, you may be wasting a lot of food in the coming days. This problem needs to be fixed quickly to ensure that food wastage is kept to a minimum.
2. Strange Musty Odors
Certain types of refrigerant, including freon, emit a musty smell when they’re exposed to air. This is especially noticeable if your refrigerator is in a contained area with limited access to fresher air. Most people would immediately come to the natural conclusion that this odor is some food that’s spoiled in the refrigerator. But, if you check carefully and you cannot find any spoiled food, it could be a refrigerant leak, which is the source of the odor.
3. The Motor Runs Constantly
When the internal temperature increases due to a lack of refrigerant, the condenser and compressor work harder to use the remaining freon to restore the temperature. This attempt to compensate for the lack of refrigerant causes the motor to work harder for longer. Eventually, the engine will run constantly, putting it under considerable stress. This increases the risk of a motor breakdown, increasing the repair cost.
4. Rising Electricity Bills
We expect to have higher energy bills in summer and winter when we need extra cooling and heating to keep our homes comfortable. But, if the electricity bills rise at other times of the year, this is a sign that something is wrong.
In the aforementioned scenario, where the refrigerator motor runs constantly, it will consume more electricity than usual. So, if you have noticed that your electricity bills are rising for no noticeable reason, the cause could be a lack of refrigerant.
5. Sudden and Unexplained illnesses
Freon is a dangerous compound; it must be handled by professionals because if it’s breathed in, it may lead to several health issues, including nausea, fainting, headaches, and more. The effects tend to be more profound if the freon exposure takes place over a prolonged period. Those with pre-existing heart issues are at particular risk if the freon is present in sufficiently high concentrations. This can lead to arrhythmia and palpitations, which could be dangerous for those exposed.
The good news is that these effects are mild and temporary and will end once the refrigerant leak has been fixed. Watch for signs of illness in children and your pets, too. The refrigerant is heavy and will linger close to the floor, making the effects more extreme and noticeable. So, if you or someone else in your home feels unwell near the refrigerator, the problem may be a refrigerant leak.
6. An Oily Residue
If you can see an oily substance form a puddle under the refrigerator, it may be some leaked refrigerant. Resist the urge to touch it and clean it up, as it can be harmful. As the leak continues, more refrigerant will escape. Contact a professional to fix the leak and remove the refrigerant so you can ensure that the compound is handled safely.
7. The Freezer is Warm, and the Refrigerator is Not
This may seem like a sign of a refrigerator leak, but this is actually a false alarm, and it’s usually a problem with an easy fix. The defrost heater may be stuck in its current position, and puddles of water may accumulate on the floor. Again, this is easily mistaken for a refrigerant leak, and there’s an easy way to check. Feel the bottom of the freezer, and it’s hot; check the owner’s manual, and there should be details on how to take the freezer out of its defrost mode.
How Can I Fix a Refrigerant Leak?
Before taking action, look for one of the seven common signs mentioned above to confirm that it is a refrigerant leak. The problem is often simply a condensation overflow, water leak, or a spill from some liquid stored in the refrigerator. If you are sure that it is a refrigerant leak, you must ensure that children and pets are kept away from the area. Then, ventilate the space to dissipate the air that accumulates close to the ground. If you have a respirator mask, you should wear it to minimize exposure and avoid the health effects.
The next step is to understand that the refrigerant leak needs to be fixed as a priority. The situation will not improve without intervention, and the leak will only worsen over time. Remember that freon and other refrigerants are toxic and must be handled carefully, and proper disposal is necessary.
There will be a natural desire to fix the refrigerant leak yourself to save money on repairs. This is the wrong approach, simply adding sealant to the leak can be dangerous and ineffective. The refrigerant is kept under pressure, and more of the compound must be added to the refrigerator to recharge the system. These tasks are best left to a professional home appliance specialist who understands how to do the work safely.
Hopefully, we’ve demonstrated that a DIY refrigerant leak repair is not a good idea. You can fix repair kits at DIY stores or online, but these tend to be hit or miss. A primary sealant will not be sufficient to carry the refrigerant, which will be under constant pressure. If the refrigerant line is damaged in multiple places, it may be easier and cheaper to replace it entirely. Remember that all refrigerant leaks are a potential health hazard in your home and must be fixed quickly.
What Does a Professional Technician Do?
Once you’ve scheduled an appointment, it’s important to keep the area clear to keep everyone safe until the refrigerant leak is fixed. You may want to move your food if you have a backup refrigerator or a family member or friend nearby with space in their appliance. If the appointment will be in a day or two, you should be fine if you’ve managed with your refrigerator up to this point.
When the technician arrives, they will assess the situation and propose a solution. The source of the problem could be rust holes on the condenser coils where the refrigerant is escaping. The technician can clean up the rust and weld a patch directly onto the condenser tubing. A second option is to apply a unique adhesive that will harden over the leak, such as a welded patch.
If there are multiple holes, the technician will likely replace the tubing. If a valve on the condenser or compressor has failed, it will be replaced. The unit may be repaired or replaced if there’s a faulty component in the compressor or condenser. If the refrigerant leak is extensive, you may need to hire a disposal service to get every drop for safe disposal.
In Conclusion
Refrigerant leaks are rare but can be dangerous until the leak is fixed. Becoming dizzy or falling unexpectedly on a hard kitchen floor can lead to serious injury. Those with heart issues can have their symptoms exacerbated if they’re exposed to leaking refrigerant. Handling freon and other refrigerants can be dangerous, so a refrigerator repair professional should handle the work.
