We all know that refrigerant leaks cost money! The hissing sound of a leak is not so much SSSSSSSSSSSSSSS as it is $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$! Let’s find and fix the refrigerant leaks in our systems.
The first step is detection – we have to find the leak.
- For those of you that utilize ammonia as your refrigerant detecting the presence of a leak is relatively easy. Your nose knows. The pungent odor of ammonia is unmistakable – that is why we call it the Self-Alarming refrigerant. The smallest of leaks can be discerned by one’s nose and also through the use of electronic leak detectors. There are several manufacturers of very good leak detection sensors and monitors on the market. The average person is able to detect ammonia concentrations of 5-50 parts per million, while the electronic sensors have ranges of 0-100, 0-200, 0-500, etc.
• For those of you that utilize one of the CFCs, HCFCs, or HFC refrigerants (commonly referred to a Freon®) detecting the presence of refrigerant in the atmosphere is not so easy. These refrigerants have no odor detectable by humans; therefore some sort of electronic leak detector must be used. These leak detectors can be hand held devices or permanently installed, strategically placed, sensors that trigger audible or visual alarms. CSR highly recommends that any owner / operator of a refrigeration system should have at least a hand held leak detector and routinely check their system components and piping. A simple probing of a display case or a walk-in freezer may detect the presence of a leak that would otherwise go unnoticed for days or weeks.
The next step is the repair. If you or your staff is qualified to perform a repair of the leak that you have detected, then by all means do so. If not, then make a call to CSR. We will confirm your findings and perform the necessary repairs.
DON’T WAIT – FIND THE LEAKS – GET THEM FIXED