What is a common symptom of a refrigerant leak in an HVAC system?

A common symptom of a refrigerant leak in an HVAC system is substantial ice buildup on the evaporator. This occurs because the refrigerant is responsible for absorbing heat from the indoor air to facilitate cooling. When there is a leak, the refrigerant level decreases, causing the system to have insufficient refrigerant to maintain proper pressure and temperature. As a result, the evaporator coil can become too cold and lead to condensation freezing on the coil's surface. This ice buildup not only disrupts the system's ability to provide adequate cooling but can also cause additional issues like airflow restrictions and further damage to the components if not addressed promptly.