If your air conditioning unit is not operating quite as efficiently as you would like, it may be that your air conditioning unit needs recharging. When air conditioners have a hard time, cooling it is often linked to the refrigerant levels present in the unit. When an air conditioning unit stops cooling properly, adding refrigerant is one of the first things the homeowner thinks. However, this is not always the right answer as it takes the properly calculated amount of fluid and correct charge to make the air conditioning unit cool properly.

When air conditioning services are installed, the correct amount of refrigerant is added and the right balance is set. After a while in use, it is possible that a leak of refrigerant and an alteration in the charge will take place. Refrigerant does not evaporate or burn like other fluids. Extra refrigerant is only needed if leaks are present. If a leak cannot be detected and the system is running poorly, then a recharge is a solution that can often make a difference.

Leaks need to be detected and repaired by an air conditioning service engineer. Units that are suffering leaks, tend to cool out for a couple of hours and stop working. The unit will still be blowing air but it will not be cold air. Refrigerant coils freezing up is also a sign that an air conditioning unit will be operating incorrectly Often a unit low on refrigerant operates below freezing and forms ice. The ice builds up and blocks airflow, which can result in costly repairs.

Refrigerant leaks can be very harmful to the environment. The fluid is hazardous to plants, animals, and people. The older types of refrigerant are also bad for the ozone layer and this type of refrigerant has been replaced over the years with more environment friendly types. Air conditioning is a closed loop system and refrigerant should only be added if leaks have been identified or an expert engineer has recommended recharging the system.

A low charge decreases efficiency of an air conditioning unit. When the unit is suffering a low charge, a much higher range of operation is employed than necessary. If an air conditioning unit is running on low charge, it may need replacing. Have a professional engineer check the charge of your air conditioning unit each year to ensure it is operating well. The refrigerant fluid acts as lubricant for some compressors and the loss of this fluid may result in a ruined compressor. Engineers commonly find fluid leaks when in the process of recharging air conditioning units. If you find your air conditioning system needs recharging more than once a year, then it could be it is time to install a new air conditioning system.

You can prevent these recharging issues and other problems by having your air conditioning unit checked and serviced every year. Servicing is vital to keep your air conditioner efficient. The method the engineer will use to recharge your air conditioner will depend on the kind of refrigerant your system is utilising. There are many types of refrigerants, classified by chemical makeup and potential for damage to the ozone layer.

Older air conditioning units will likely contain R-22, which is a CFC that is proven to be a chemical that depletes ozone. R-22 is in the process of being phased out from new manufacture to be replaced by R-410a, which is classified as an HFC and less harmful to the environment. There are other types of refrigerant available, but these are the most commonly used. There are some substitutes for R-22 in existing models, but this is a job that needs professional execution.

R-22 is usually in vapour form and is added with the container right side up, to the suction line in the system. A blended refrigerant such as R-410a are usually added in liquid form by turning the container upside down. In either case, your engineer will add the refrigerant slowly in small amounts. Enough time (usually 5 minutes) should be allowed in between adding amounts, which allows the system temperature and pressure to become stable. Pressure and temperature readings will then be checked to determine whether more refrigerant is required.

Your engineer will observe a complete cooling cycle and gauges checked to ensure the recharge has been successful.