Living in Arizona means your AC system isn’t just comfort, it’s survival. Every summer, we respond to calls where a homeowner suddenly has no cooling and needs emergency air conditioning repair. The frustrating part? Most of those breakdowns were preventable.
Recently during a routine maintenance visit, we found a refrigerant leak in the indoor coil before the homeowner even noticed a problem. The system was still cooling… but barely. Within a few weeks it would have completely shut down in the middle of the heat.
As a family-owned HVAC company in Chandler, our goal is to catch problems early so you never experience a no-cool situation when it’s 110°F outside.
What Actually Happens During a Coil Leak
Your air conditioner works by moving heat out of your home using refrigerant. When the coil develops a small leak:
- Refrigerant slowly escapes
- Cooling capacity drops
- The system runs longer
- Components overheat
- Compressor damage begins
Homeowners usually don’t notice until:
- The house feels warm at night
- The unit runs all day
- Energy bills spike
- Then suddenly… warm air only
At that point you need air conditioner repair immediately and in summer that becomes an emergency visit.
Why Coil Leaks Are Common in Chandler
Arizona is one of the harshest climates for HVAC equipment.
The most common causes we see as a local HVAC contractor:
- Formicary corrosion (tiny pinhole leaks in copper)
- Dirty evaporator coils trapping moisture
- High operating pressures from clogged filters
- Low airflow overheating the coil
- Units never receiving annual maintenance
Signs You’re About to Need Emergency Repair
Call before it fails if you notice:
- AC runs constantly
- Air isn’t as cold as last year
- Ice forming on refrigerant lines
- Higher electric bills
- System cools fine in morning but not afternoon
How Maintenance Prevents Breakdowns
During a proper maintenance we:
- Leak check refrigerant circuits
- Clean evaporator and condenser coils
- Measure temperature split
- Verify electrical amp draw
- Test pressures under load
- Inspect airflow and filtration
Common Questions (Q&A)
Q: How often should I service my AC in Arizona?
A: Once per year minimum- ideally spring.
Q: Can a small refrigerant leak wait?
A: No. Small leaks become compressor failures.
Q: Why is my AC still cooling if it has a leak?
A: Refrigerant leaks gradually until cooling suddenly stops.
Q: What causes most emergency breakdowns?
A: Low refrigerant, electrical failure from overheating, and dirty coils.
Q: Is maintenance really worth it?
A: Almost every emergency repair started as a maintenance issue that went unchecked.
