How To Check Freon In Hvac

Curious well-nigh how to put Freon in an AC unit? There are several things you should know showtime. In this mail, nosotros'll give you lot a detailed look at the process as well as precautions you lot demand to have before attempting to do this.

How To Put Freon In An Ac Unit: First Things Get-go

A caution sign representing the importance of safety when learning how to put Freon in an AC unit.

While many people use the term "Freon" to broadly describe refrigerants, it's really the brand name for a specific production, which is also known as HCFC-22 and R-22. As of 2020, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has banned the production and importation of Freon. As such, you'll have to apply recycled Freon going forward. By the time America'due south Freon supply has been used upwards, nearly homeowners will have naturally switched to air conditioners that use more modern refrigerants.

The issue with Freon is that it is ozone-depleting, with atmospheric heat-trapping effects existence 1000 times that of carbon dioxide, per the New York Times. Newer refrigerants take a much lower impact.

What This Means For You

If you've kept upward with your air conditioning service, chances are your technician has already moved y'all away from Freon in one way or another. Air conditioners produced after 2010 mostly utilize newer refrigerants. Many older ones accept been retrofitted to practice the same.

If your unit doesn't autumn into either category, chances are that it's on the older side and will demand to exist replaced fairly soon, either due to a breakup or the impending Freon shortage. Check out this post to larn virtually how long air conditioners last, then read this one to get an thought of how much you'll spend on replacing the unit.

If your unit is on its final legs and you need an immediate replacement, reach out to American Home Water and Air for your new AC Installation In Phoenix, Arizona.

Expect, Why Would Yous Need To Put Freon In An AC Unit of measurement?

The stipulations we've discussed and so far yet miss something very important. An air conditioner's refrigerant loop is actually airtight. In not-technical terms, this ways that refrigerant shouldn't ever escape unless something'due south gone incorrect. The nigh common scenario is that you've sprung a leak somewhere, which can actually be quite unsafe for your health and the surroundings.

Knowing how to put Freon in a home AC unit won't do you much skillful in this scenario if yous don't also fix the leak. The Freon will just end up escaping again and you'll be right dorsum to square ane. This is why you should beware whatever technician that simply recharges your air conditioner without addressing why it needed to be recharged in the kickoff place.

If you find that your refrigerant is escaping because of a leak, reach out to us at American Domicile Water and Air. Nosotros're one of the all-time providers of AC Repair in Phoenix, AZ, and our team of experts will make sure that whatever issues with your Air conditioning are resolved.

How To Put Freon In An AC Unit

Now that we've gotten a few disclaimers out of the style, allow'due south hash out how you lot can actually go about adding Freon in an AC unit.

Step #one: Run into If Your Air Conditioner Is Blowing Warm Air

If your air conditioner is bravado warm air, information technology's very likely that whatever other bug you're noticing are the result of a refrigerant leak. Address the source of the leak (normally some blazon of concrete damage to your air conditioner) before proceeding. You lot'll likely demand to call a professional for this. If yous live in Phoenix, Arizona, learn about our HVAC services here.

Step #2: Perform Regular Maintenance Prior To Refilling Your Air conditioning

At present'due south a good fourth dimension to behave thorough maintenance and rectify whatsoever other bug your AC might be experiencing. Check out this post for an idea of what you should be doing equally part of this maintenance.

Step #iii: Select And Purchase The Right Refrigerant

While this guide is Freon-specific, the term is akin to "Kleenex" beingness used to describe all tissues. If you are indeed looking to refill your unit with Freon, the trademarked product, you lot'll have to procure it. Note that prices take skyrocketed as Freon has become much harder to observe. Use this tool to figure out where you can buy Freon nigh you.

If you're unsure what type of refrigerant your Air-conditioning uses, contact a technician or refer to the owner's manual. Mutual modern refrigerants include:

R12
R410A
R134

Depending on the type of refrigerant you demand and local regulations, vendors may request certification before selling to you. In this case, yous'll have to become through a licensed company.

Step #4: Gather The Proper Rubber Equipment

Freon isn't something you should be inhaling or even exposing your skin to. As such, make sure you utilise the post-obit:

Goggles
Gloves
A long-sleeve shirt
A respirator

If you have a respiratory status or feel unsafe about this, don't risk going through the process yourself. HVAC technicians are more than than happy to refill your AC with refrigerant. It's by no means a pocket-sized job that would be a nuisance to them. Merely proceed if yous're the DIY type prepared to take all the necessary precautions, including whatsoever that may exist outlined in the documentation that should come with your refrigerant.

Pace #v: Wait For The Right Temperature

Freon will always move towards the coldest area. If the temperature exterior is below 55 degrees Fahrenheit, the chemical will get "confused" and be more attracted to the outdoor air than the within of your air conditioner.

Stride #6: Once again, Consider Seriously Whether You're Confident Doing This

While regulations in the United States don't dictate that Freon refilling be washed by a licensed professional person, it'due south a good idea to rely on someone with some experience. Freon can be deadly when handled improperly. While some common sense and following these steps volition help keep you lot safe, accidents happen and you should only proceed if you're 100% confident.

Pace #7: Add together The Refrigerant

Before you begin pumping Freon into your Air-conditioning, shut it off at the breaker and thermostat. Then, practise the post-obit:

Hook your refrigerant gauge up to the three-valve connections on your Ac.
- Simply connect the left and correct tubes for now. The center is where you'll be connecting the refrigerant tank.
Wait xv minutes before switching your AC back on.
- This volition requite you enough fourth dimension to get an accurate reading on the gauges.
Hook the refrigerant tank up to the center connection on your Air-conditioning.
Open the low-pressure valve (typically on the left side) intermittently.
- Doing this will allow periodic bursts of refrigerant to enter your AC.
- Continue doing this until the low-force per unit area gauge shows that your Ac has reached the optimal subcooling temperature, which should be identified on a rating plate affixed to your outdoor AC unit.
Switch the valve off once the desired temperature has been accomplished.
Twist the refrigerant container'southward knob to stop its flow of Freon.
Disconnect your hoses and approximate from the AC unit of measurement.
Conduct a leak examination using a estimate to ensure that your newly-added Freon is not escaping.
- If you don't take a guess, arrive impact with your local HVAC company and they can send a technician out with one to conduct the test.

Step #eight: Shop The Remaining Refrigerant Properly

Your tank of refrigerant should come with some instructions for storing it safely. Brand certain you follow them as these tanks are pressurized and can be unsafe if stored improperly.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does information technology cost to put Freon in an Air-conditioning unit of measurement?

If you're paying a technician to procure Freon for you and then install it in your Air-conditioning, yous'll spend between $100 and $150. Annotation that this is getting more and more expensive due to the fact that Freon is becoming rarer, by pattern.

How do you know if your AC needs Freon?

You should await for the signs of a refrigerant leak. These include inadequate cooling, hissing sounds, and frozen coils. You don't need to recharge your Air-conditioning with Freon unless it has a leak. Air conditioners are designed to hold Freon for their entire lifespan. Beware companies claiming to offer "recharge" services in absence of checking for these leaks.

Can I buy Freon for my home AC?

Nether some circumstances, you as an private may be able to buy Freon for your residential air conditioner. Depending on local regulations, however, you lot may demand to provide a certification number. In this instance, you'll accept to piece of work through your local HVAC visitor to procure Freon.

Is Freon existence banned?

As of 2020, Freon volition no longer be produced or imported into the United states of america. Those looking to recharge their units will have to make use of the existing supply until it runs out.

Source: https://americanhomewater.com/how-to-put-freon-in-an-ac-unit/