By the time America’s Freon supply has been used up, most homeowners will have naturally switched to air conditioners that use more modern refrigerants. Before you begin pumping Freon into your AC, shut it off at the breaker and thermostat. The most common scenario is that you’ve sprung a leak somewhere, which can actually be quite dangerous for your health and the environment. You’ll likely need to call a professional for this. Under some circumstances, you as an individual may be able to purchase Freon for your residential air conditioner. The Freon will just end up escaping again and you’ll be right back to square one. Confirm your selection of a licensed HVAC company with the Better Business Bureau to check for reputability. That means you need to call a professional air conditioner technician to find the leaks and fix th Conduct a leak test using a gauge to ensure that your newly-added Freon is not escaping. Don't turn the freon can upside down to add liquid as this can lock up the compressor and then you will have to call the a/c guy out to fleece your wallet. Doing this will allow periodic bursts of refrigerant to enter your AC. Continue doing this until the low-pressure 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. HVAC technicians are more than happy to refill your AC with refrigerant. Picking the right type of Freon without adequate information can feel just like that. Step 2 Log-on to your preferred Internet search engine (i.e. Those looking to recharge their units will have to make use of the existing supply until it runs out. This is why you should beware any technician that simply recharges your air conditioner without addressing why it needed to be recharged in the first place. In this case, you’ll have to work through your local HVAC company to procure Freon. If you need to add refrigerant to your air conditioner, it’s leaking somewhere. Step 3 #326306 Turn on your computer and open up your web browser. Yet, here’s a scenario we hear about way too often: AC isn’t blowing cold air. If you choose to observe from the sidelines while an HVAC technician inspects your air conditioning unit and possibly adds more freon once leaks are fixed, be sure to wear safety glasses with side shields. I’ve been doing this for 20 years here in Las Vegas and let me say, “Putting gauges on a machine and knowing exactly what’s wrong is a gift that will make you professionals quicker and beginners ahead of the game”. How To Add Freon To A Home AC Unit. Her work has appeared in various print and online publications, including the education magazine "My School Rocks" and Work.com. “How often should I have to add Freon in my home’s air conditioner?” Needing to add refrigerant isn’t like adding gas in a car. Locate the names of three or four companies that repair and maintain air conditioners in your area. Note that prices have skyrocketed as Freon has become much harder to find. If you see ice on the copper pipes, you likely need more coolant. Too much of it can cause the surplus to build up inside your compressor, affecting your AC unit’s energy efficiency and causing significant damage to your heating and cooling system. The well-being of our employees and customers is a priority for us during these tough times; therefore, AHWA is taking extra precautions due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Your air conditioner does not consume refrigerant, so adding it should be rare. An easy way to check is to turn but your air conditioner on and set the temperature 10 degrees lower than the room temperature. If you don’t have a gauge, get in touch with your local HVAC company and they can send a technician out with one to conduct the test. Only connect the left and right tubes for now. Only connect the left and right tubes for now. Step 1 To add freon to the air conditioning unit, you should open the hood of your car. The refrigerant in your unit should last for the entire lifespan of the air conditioner unless there is a leak. Knowing how to put Freon in a home AC unit won’t do you much good in this scenario if you don’t also fix the leak. Turn on your computer and open up your web browser. Air conditioners are designed to hold Freon for their entire lifespan. Further, improper handling could subject you to costly EPA fines. These can be signs of a freon leak. Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. If you live in Phoenix, Arizona, the most popular is American Home Water and Air. The cost to recharge an AC unit depends on the type of gas used and the number of pounds required. Then, do the following: Your tank of refrigerant should come with some instructions for storing it safely. Locating the Low Pressure Side Service Port. You don’t need to recharge your AC with Freon unless it has a leak. Thank you for choosing American Home Water and Air! Or you may already may need to add freon to your system every year. There should … If you have had your air conditioner for twelve or more years and the tech suggests you add a new Freon, give yourself some time to think about it. Repairing Leaks and Faulty Parts Get a new evaporator coil if it needs to be replaced. Many older ones have been retrofitted to do the same. This is: How to check the “freon” or refrigerant pressures of an air conditioner Alright, you ac home repairman, here’s where ac repair becomes fun. This will purge the air … And, yes, again, the answer is you might never need to add a new refrigerant. Conclusion. This is a frequently asked question by most homeowners from professional HVAC technicians. While some common sense and following these steps will help keep you safe, accidents happen and you should only proceed if you’re 100% confident. Refrigerant is the chemical your air conditioner uses to cool the air in your home, but it must be carefully looked after to continue working optimally. Some air conditioning tech says you need Freon. An AC doesn’t “use up” refrigerant. If you’re unsure what type of refrigerant your AC uses, contact a technician or refer to the owner’s manual. Check out this post to learn about how long air conditioners last, then read this one to get an idea of how much you’ll spend on replacing the unit. Make sure you leave the can upright so as to add only the gas. So you should never need to recharge your air conditioner with more Freon— unless there’s a leak. After the air conditioner runs for 30 minutes, check the refrigerant lines that connect your condenser to your indoor air conditioning unit. While many people use the term “Freon” to broadly describe refrigerants, it’s actually the brand name for a specific product, which is also known as HCFC-22 and R-22. R39-R A/C & Refrig. Locate the air conditioning high and low side hoses and the location of their respective Schraeder valves. Your AC or heat pump system needs a specific amount of freon (the refrigerant that makes it cool) in order to operate properly. Make sure you follow them as these tanks are pressurized and can be dangerous if stored improperly.