Aircon gas can diminish over time due to many reasons such as leakage, unprofessional AC installation and more. Your AC’s reduced cooling performance or warm air output indicates it may need a gas refill. A gas top up should only be done by professionals as the process needs extensive experience and sophisticated tools. Let’s know how the aircon technicians refill AC gas.
Tools Necessary
Aircon technicians should gather all necessary tools before beginning the task. Here’s what they need:
- AC gauge and hose set: The AC gauge along with the hose set will monitor system pressure. It helps to inject a precise amount of gas needed.
- Refrigerant gas: The specific gas needed for the system (such as R-32 or R-410A).
- Safety gloves and goggles: To protect your hands and eyes from hazardous refrigerant gas.
- Wrench set: The wrench set will help you loosen and tighten the AC connections.
- Leak detector (optional): A leak detector enables you to find AC leaks.
Step-by-Step AC Gas Refilling Guide
Below is the step by step process of how the technicians will refill aircon gas.
Turn Off the Power
Technicians ensure safety by shutting off power to your air conditioner before starting any work. However, during gas charging, the power has to be kept on.
Attach the Gauges
Connect the AC gauge set to the service port located at the lower pressure side of the AC unit. This is the larger copper line connected to the condenser port.
The connections must be tight to avoid leaks when adding gas to the system.
Check the Pressure
Turn on the AC unit after installing the gauges and allow it to operate for several minutes. These steps enable you to determine the present refrigerant pressure in the AC system.
The reading on the gauge represents the remaining refrigerant quantity in the system. A low pressure reading shows that you need to add more refrigerant to the system.
Add the Refrigerant
After verifying that the refrigerant level is low you can start refilling. Connect the refrigerant canister to the hose leading to the low-pressure port.
To release the gas into the system start by opening the refrigerant canister valve slowly. Add the refrigerant in small increments and check the system pressure between each addition.
Monitor the Pressure
Monitor the pressure gauge while you continue to add refrigerant. The optimal cooling performance of every air conditioner model depends on maintaining a specific recommended pressure level. The recommended pressure details for your AC unit are available either in the manual or on a sticker by the service ports.
Avoid overfilling the system because excess refrigerant will harm the AC unit.
Test the System
Run the AC system for several minutes after achieving the recommended pressure level. Check if the unit is cooling effectively. A successful gas refill will make the air blowing from the vents noticeably cooler.
Close the Valves and Disconnect
After confirming that the AC operates properly, the technician will shut off refrigerant flow by closing its valves. He will make sure to disconnect the gauges from the service port of the AC with care.
Finally, the technician will put all covers back in place and the AC unit should operate properly now.
FAQ
What indicators suggest my AC system requires a gas refill?
Your AC requires a gas refill if it produces insufficient cool air. It can also produce hissing noise, ice on the copper pipe are some other signals of low amount of gas in the system.
Can I refill AC gas myself?
No, if you are not a professional technician, do not try it by yourself. Gas refilling needs expertise and expensive tools. It should only be practiced by certified professionals.
How often should I refill my AC gas?
Air conditioners usually don’t need gas refills unless they have developed a leak. Refill it only if the gas escapes due to a leakage or any other other reasons.
What happens if I overfill the AC with gas?
When the AC system has excessive refrigerant it creates high internal pressure which can harm both the compressor and other components.
How do I find the right refrigerant type for my AC?
The type of refrigerant your AC needs is detailed in your AC manual or labeled on the outdoor unit. Typically, older AC systems use R-410A refrigerant while newer systems use R-32.
Conclusion
Do not try refilling AC gas at home by yourself as it can be dangerous for the aircon unit and for your health as well. Air conditioners do not typically need refills unless there is leakage. Therefore, before gas refills, check whether there is a leak and repair it. Otherwise, the recharged gas will escape again.
