Manufacturers use tonnage and BTUs (British Thermal Units) to measure an air conditioner's size. Most air conditioners range between 1 and 5 tons. Since an air conditioner uses an average of 2 to 4 pounds of refrigerant per ton, a 3-ton AC will need an average of 9 pounds.
The general guideline used when calculating the amount of Freon in a residential A/C unit is 2-4 pounds per ton of cooling. For example, if you install a new A/C system rated for a five-ton load, the system will require 10-20 pounds of refrigerant.
The picture here is the nameplate to a split system air conditioning system. This label states that this 2 Ton outdoor air conditioner requires 3 pounds and 14 ounces of R22 refrigerant.
R22 Refrigerant Gas - 13.6kg - R22 REFRON India - HVACR Wholesale Dealer & Supplier UAE R22 Refron Supplier in UAE.
Size of the HVAC Unit
Since an air conditioner uses an average of 2 to 4 pounds of refrigerant per ton, a 3-ton AC will need an average of 9 pounds. With the cost of R-22 refrigerant increasing each year, it can cost a pretty penny to recharge larger systems that still use the refrigerant.
Why is R-22 refrigerant so expensive? R-22 refrigerant is so expensive because there's such a limited supply of it left. You see, R-22 is an “ozone-depleting substance” and is extremely harmful to the environment.
R-22a is a hydrocarbon refrigerant blend with primary components including flammable substances such as propane and butane. In some cases, it may also contain small amounts of other hydrocarbons or a pine-scented odorant. This refrigerant is a highly flammable, colorless gas that is heavier than air.
Freezing Point -256 Deg F.
For every 1 degree F increase in temperature above 68 F (20 C), add 2 oz (60 g) of R22 refrigerant per ton of cooling capacity.
According to PG&E, most central air conditioning systems use two to four pounds of refrigerant per ton of cooling capacity. A three-ton air conditioner would typically have six to 12 pounds of refrigerant for a proper charge.
In 2010, the U.S. stopped the sale of newly manufactured residential air conditioning units and heat pumps that use R-22 because of its particularly harmful impact on the ozone layer when released into the air. On January 1, 2020, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned the production and import of R-22.
The average residential AC holds 5-15lbs of refrigerant. They don't always require a full charge. A conservative estimate of 1 to 15 pounds of R-22 at current prices would cost you $150-$2250 for refrigerant alone (not including locating, sealing or repairing the leak)!
Freon MO99 is the gold standard for R-22 alternatives and was developed by the same scientists who engineered Freon R-22. The benefits of Freon MO99 include: Capacity — The ability of Freon MO99 to heat or cool a given space is closer to Freon R-22 than any other refrigerant on the market.
Residential Air Conditioner Freon Refill Cost
Most homeowners will pay in the range of $200 to $400 for a refill, depending on the type and size of their HVAC unit. If you own a larger r22 unit, you may have to spend $600 or more.
FluoroFusion is an EPA-Certified and American-owned reclaimer of refrigerants. We work with companies to offset the negative environmental impacts of R-22 refrigerant with our industry-leading Refrigerant Buyback program.
An R-22 Refrigerant Replacement for Direct Expansion Refrigeration. Freon™ MO29 (R-422D) refrigerant is a low-toxicity, non-ozone depleting hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) replacement for R-22.
So, what happens if you do just add refrigerant to a leaking AC system, or don't get it fixed once the leak is reported? The EPA will fine you. There is no way to sugarcoat this. The fine can be as high as $37,500 per day.
I've determined I have a 5 ton system (based on the model number including a "60" in it, and multiplying that by 12 - a tip I read). All the research I do determines I would only need 10-20 pounds of R22.
Pure refrigerants like R22 can be added in liquid or vapor states. If adding liquid into the suction like, throttle it in slowly to avoid slugging the compressor or diluting and washing out the compressor oil. After the charge has been set, avoid installing the gauges as part of regular service.
What Refrigerant Is In My Cooling System? On January 1, 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) implemented a ban on the production and import of R22, except for continuing servicing needs of existing equipment. The EPA also banned the manufacture and installation of new R22 AC or heat pump systems.
When estimating the amount of refrigerant in a residential A/C unit, the general rule that is used is in the 2-4 pounds per ton of cooling. For instance, recharging a 3-ton A/C with a 35-foot line set from empty level will need an approximately 6-12 pounds of refrigerants.
You cannot just switch refrigerants because R410-A and R-22 have different chemical properties. R410-A operates at a higher pressure. If you put R410-A into an R-22 system, the parts will rupture due to the increased force.