![]() If there is a leak, the Freon will cause the soap and water mixture to bubble, which shows you where the leak is. Soap and water should be combined in a spray bottle and then sprayed onto the piping. However, a Freon leak can be detected using soap and water. Detecting a Freon LeakĪ variety of leak detectors can be purchased from appliance repair shops, auto parts stores, or online. Of course, the first symptom you will likely notice is that the refrigerator is not cooling properly. The motor working overtime leads to more expensive electricity bills and will eventually cause the motor to fail if the problem is not fixed. A Freon leak also usually causes an oily substance to accumulate on the floor by the refrigerator.Īnother symptom is that the refrigerator motor is constantly running, as the refrigerator motor works overtime to try and reduce the temperature because of the deteriorating amount of refrigerant. While Freon is odorless, a leak will typically cause a musty or freshly-cut grass smell. Freon exposure can also cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, and shortness of breath. However, if Freon leaks into an open flame, it can create a deadly gas. Fortunately, Freon is not flammable, and accidentally inhaling the gas by itself is not fatal. If your refrigerator is leaking Freon, the first consideration should be your safety. The condenser and evaporator fans are working properly.The thermostat and other cooling components are not defective. ![]() If your refrigerator is not cooling, before searching for a Freon leak or committing to the repair, check the following components: Other Issuesīefore attempting to repair a Freon leak, make sure a Freon leak is what is wrong with the refrigerator (see leak detection instructions and symptoms below). In fact, most areas require a special permit or EPA certification that you are a trained technician to purchase Freon. With Freon being phased out, it can be difficult to find. Traditionally, Freon has been available from appliance repair shops and auto parts stores. If your refrigerator was made before 1995, it most likely uses Freon. Freon was mostly replaced by the more environmentally-friendly R-134a (Tetrafluoroethane). However, most refrigerator manufacturers stopped using Freon in 1994. As a result of rising concerns over global warming, Freon has been gradually phased out in many countries, with the US and Canada banning the manufacture and importation of Freon from the start of January 2020. In the 1970s, researchers discovered that Freon was harmful to the ozone layer. It is typically an odorless, non-flammable gas used in older refrigerators to keep things cool. The name Freon was given to the refrigerant, also known as R-22, by DuPont. The refrigerator’s condenser then turns the gas back into a liquid. Freon’s chemical structure means it has a particularly high boiling point, which allows it to absorb heat as a liquid and then turn into a gas. What is Freon?įreon is a synthetic chemical refrigerant that can very effectively transfer heat. By following our guide below, you will learn about Freon, why it is best to contact a trained technician, how to fix a Freon leak with a cold-weather seal, and how to add Freon if you opt for the DIY approach. However, there are other causes of a refrigerator not cooling that should be investigated before trying to repair a Freon leak. If you have a Freon leak, it will be causing your refrigerator not to cool as efficiently as it used to. Freon, also known as R-22, is the type of refrigerant that is common in refrigerators manufactured before 1995.
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