So when is the best time to recharge your refrigerant? This is a trick question, as you will not have to recharge your refrigerant if your air conditioner is functioning properly. Refrigerant differs from fuels that mechanical systems may use in a number of ways, not the least of which is the fact that it is never consumed. If you find that you have low refrigerant levels in your home cooling system, that means that your air conditioner was improperly charged with refrigerant to begin with, or you have a leak in your system.
Regardless of the nature of the problem, swift action must be take. Your refrigerant is integral to the overall operation of your home cooling system. Don’t let low levels impede its operation or cause damage to your system.
Why You Need the Right Amount of Refrigerant in Your AC
There is no denying just how important the refrigerant within your air conditioning system really is. You see, refrigerant serves as the heat transfer fluid that your air conditioner uses to remove heat from the air in your home. An AC doesn’t just generate cool air out of nowhere, after all. In the evaporator coil, the refrigerant evaporates — hence the name. In doing so, it is able to absorb heat from the air surrounding the coil, and that cooled air is then redistributed throughout the house. The refrigerant is condensed in the outdoor condenser, and disperses the heat it’s gathered into the air outside.
When you don’t have enough refrigerant in your system, the coil can get too cold. This can cause condensation to ice up on it, further insulating it and further impeding the heat absorption process. This causes the system to work harder, driving up energy costs even as your comfort falls. Plus, you risk damaging your compressor, or at least causing it to overheat.
If you need any AC services in Phoenix, AZ, be sure to schedule them with Goettl Air Conditioning.
