A customer in Brashear, TX called us after noticing ice building up all over their air conditioning unit. We advised them to shut the system off right away and let it thaw completely before we arrived.
When our technician got on site, the ice had fully melted and we were able to inspect the system. We found that the refrigerant level was very low — and low refrigerant is one of the most common reasons an AC unit freezes up. Our team performed an electronic leak test and confirmed there was an active refrigerant leak in the system.
There was an added complication. This unit runs on R-22 refrigerant, which has been phased out and is no longer manufactured. That makes it increasingly expensive and difficult to service. The system is also older and well past its efficient operating years.
To restore cooling for the customer right away, we topped off the refrigerant so the system could run through the summer heat. However, we were upfront with the homeowner: a refrigerant leak combined with an outdated R-22 system means repairs will only become more costly over time. We strongly recommended replacing the unit as soon as possible with a modern, energy-efficient system that uses current refrigerant standards.
If your AC is freezing up or you suspect a refrigerant leak in the Brashear, TX area, give us a call. Catching these issues early can save you from a complete system failure on the hottest days of the year.