One of the most expensive items on your electricity bill during hot summers is the cost of running a central air conditioner. If the unit doesn't have the right amount of refrigerant, this cost can be even higher. Here are some steps that will help you charge your air conditioner.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Understanding the Laws Concerning Working on Air Conditioners
Step 1. Find out what a landlord can legally do on their system
While there is no official regulation on what a private individual can do on their air conditioner, there are specific laws and standards to follow regarding professional certification to do it as a job.
Step 2. Remember that a refrigeration supply company does not sell refrigeration appliances to unauthorized persons
You can find sellers online, for example on Craigslist or Ebay, but buying can be illegal.
Step 3. If you do not have authorizations, do not work for a fee on other people's systems
You could face legal action.
Part 2 of 4: Check the System
Step 1. Perform routine maintenance
It is important to do this before recharging the air conditioner.
- Replace the air filter.
- Clean the vape and condenser channel. If either is dirty it can cause the same damage as a low refrigerant unit - if refrigerant is added under these conditions, the unit can be damaged.
Step 2. Check for obstructions, including debris buildup on the fans and make sure the condenser fan is working properly
This must push enough air through the channel to be able to handle the heat produced (removed from the room) through the action of the air conditioner.
Step 3. Make a thorough inspection of the remaining system components
Lack of insulation, leakage of duct joints, malfunctioning electrical connections, and other minor problems will not change the need for refrigerant, but they can still reduce the efficiency of the system.
Part 3 of 4: Determine What You Need
Step 1. Choose the type of refrigerant
You can do this by consulting the system guide, or find it written in the electrical box or in the management unit. Many systems have manufacturer specification labels. The most commonly used refrigerants in modern systems are R-22 (HCFC-22) and R410A, sold as SUV410A or Puron. It is also important to know this in order to choose the correct charging method.
Step 2. Check which type of charging connections are part of the system
Normal Schrader connection valves have quick connection adapters to lose the least amount of refrigerant during operation. Whichever connection you use, remember that even with the system turned off, the refrigerant is under high pressure and can be dangerous.
Step 3. Turn off the air conditioner from the thermostat
You will turn off the switch in the next step. For now, disconnect the system from the thermostat.
Step 4. Turn off the system
The outdoor unit must have fuses or a switch. Remove the fuses and turn off the breaker before continuing.
- With the unit off, attach the blood pressure gauges as instructed. The low pressure side will be on the meter (blue tube) and the high pressure side on the system (red tube). For older blood pressure monitors, there will be no colors to indicate the difference. The low pressure will be on the left when looking at the meter, the other on the right. The filler pipe, connected to the coolant and the drain pump, is located in the middle.
- With the meters connected, turn on the air conditioner and wait 15 minutes for the system to stabilize.
Step 5. Read the gauges
The blue pointer must be at minimum if the system needs to be recharged.
- To check this, use a temperature gauge with a probe connected to the low pressure, which is the larger of the two lines.
- Refill if the temperatures on the blue meter do not match the number recommended in the manufacturer's specifications.
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Use the measuring lens. Another way to check if the system needs to be recharged is to use the measuring lens. Many systems do not have one, but if it is on yours, it is outside the line between the dryer and the compressor.
Once found, watch while the air conditioner is running. See if there are any bubbles in the refrigeration liquid. There shouldn't be. You have to refill if they are mixed with the liquid. Remember that in an improperly refilled unit, bubbles may form due to air particles or moisture trapped in the hermetically sealed system
Part 4 of 4: Charging the Air Conditioner
Step 1. Follow these steps
To recharge the refrigerant, first close the air conditioner unit, then follow these instructions:
Step 2. Connect the meter tubing through the system ports dedicated to pressure
- The low pressure tube is usually blue and a suction line is connected, which is larger than the two tubes.
- The high pressure pipe is usually red and is connected to the liquid line, which is the smaller of the two pipes.
Step 3. Turn on the air conditioner
Let him work for at least 15 minutes so as to arrive at a stable situation.
Step 4. Check the temperatures
This will allow you to make a comparative analysis of the functioning of the system, through the following measures:
- The outside air temperature
- The return air temperature in the air conductor
- The temperature of the suction line
- The temperature of the liquid line
- New drives have a label in the electrical compartment with specific instructions for the drive. They usually advise you to measure excessive heat or excessive cold. There will also be a diagram indicating the values of these excesses with respect to the outside temperature.
Step 5. Choose your measuring instrument
Check the charging scheme to choose the most suitable tool. It can be a thermostatic expansion valve or a restriction orifice.
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If your system uses a thermostatic valve, refer to the following values:
- Excessive heat: -7 ° C
- Excessive cold: -4 ° C
- If you are using a restriction system, you can use the table below as a guide. Contains excessive values for a given indoor and outdoor temperature:
- To find the required excessive heat values, draw a line from the outside temperature to the return temperature. The value in the column is the excess temperature.
Step 6. Check for leaks
If the test shows that refrigerant is needed, check for leaks and repair them if there are any. They can be found near the connections:
- Brass connections or welds
- Pressure ports
- Pipe connectors
- Any point where refrigerant lines can vibrate or collide with covers or other components.
Step 7. Connect the refill or refill hose to the refrigerant container placed in an upright position
Do not overturn it as liquid could get into the suction part of the compressor and damage the unit.
Step 8. Add coolant
Slowly, and in small quantities, introduce the refrigerant into the suction line of the system, and wait 5 to 10 minutes for the system to stabilize. When you charge a new system or refill an empty one, refrigerant is added by weight, according to specification, but "tune" a unit or adding a charge to the existing refrigerant is less accurate.
Check the indicated pressure and temperature, and decide if you need more refrigerant. Repeat until you reach normal levels
Step 9. Observe the entire cooling cycle
When the air conditioner has completed its cycle, turn off the unit and remove the meters.
Advice
- There is a risk of the refrigerant overheating, due to exceeding the saturation temperature. To check, subtract the low pressure gauge temperature from the suction line temperature. Add coolant to lower the temperature or remove it to raise it.
- The refrigerant can cool if it goes below the saturation temperature. Subtract the liquid line temperature from the high pressure gauge. To cool add liquid, to heat remove it.
- The cost of gauges and refrigerant containers can be higher than that of a call to a professional.
- Use bleach to clean the channels.
Warnings
- Do not charge the units if the outside temperature is below 12 ° C.
- If your unit needs a CFC type refrigerant, check if you need to have permissions to use it.
- Do not mix different types of refrigerant. It could damage the air conditioner.
- Reloading is not a job for everyone. In many cases it can be illegal to do this without a license.
