What is a common indicator of refrigerant leakage in a system?

A common indicator of refrigerant leakage in a refrigeration system is decreased cooling performance and the formation of ice on the evaporator coils. When refrigerant leaks, there is a reduction in the amount of refrigerant circulating through the system, which can lead to insufficient heat absorption in the evaporator. This insufficient heat exchange results in a loss of cooling efficiency, causing the system to struggle to maintain the desired temperature.

In addition, as the refrigerant level drops, the evaporator coil may become too cold, leading to moisture in the air freezing on the coils and forming ice. This is particularly evident in systems that are not able to evaporate the remaining refrigerant effectively, which can further block airflow and exacerbate the performance issue.

Monitoring for these signs helps technicians quickly identify refrigerant issues, enabling timely repairs and restoration of optimal system performance.