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.
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.
The amount of Freon your AC system requires depends on several factors, including the size of your home, the type of system, and its specific design. On average, most residential air conditioning systems need between 2 to 4 pounds of refrigerant per ton of cooling capacity.
Average Amount of R-410A Needed for Recharging
So, a 3-ton air conditioner would require 6 to 12 pounds of refrigerant. Currently, the price for recharging an air conditioning system with R-410A is around $90 per pound.
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.
Under EPA regulations, only a certified professional can recharge your home's HVAC system.
R-410A refrigerant prices range from $40 to $75 per pound. To replace R-410A refrigerant in your leaky AC, you will need to hire an HVAC professional since the EPA prohibits handling AC refrigerant without a license.
More About the Phase Out
Unfortunately, this refrigerant contains high levels of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) known to deplete the planet's protective Ozone layer. Many regulations (including the Montreal Protocol and the Kigali Amendment) have been passed to contain global warming.
Freon (which is really just a particular brand of refrigerant) lasts forever.
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.
Low refrigerant can also lead to frozen evaporator coils. Without refrigerant passing through the coils, there will be no way for that absorbed heat to be transferred out of the air handler. The lack of pressure within the coil continues to drop, the moisture freezes onto the coils, and ice forms as a result.
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.
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.
ComStar's RS-53 (R470A) is the world's only drop-in retrofit replacement for existing R410a systems. At 909, RS-53 has a GWP that is effectively 56% lower than R410a. Additionally, RS-51 (R470B) has a GWP of 717 which is 80% lower than R404a, R507 and half of R448A and R449A.
You do not need an EPA license to purchase R-410A. However, you do need a license to use it to charge a system. While we encourage responsible DIYers, there are some things you should definitely leave to a trained HVAC professional.
The replacements for R-410A are the two A2Ls, Forane® R-32 and R-454B. Forane® R-32 can be used in new equipment designed specifically for mildly flammable refrigerants as a replacement for R-410A equipment. Its low density allows for the use of a smaller refrigerant charge.
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.
R410a is actually a blend of two different refrigerants, one of which is called R125. There's currently a world shortage of R125 because there aren't enough plants to produce it. Without enough R125, producers can't make enough R410a to keep up with the increasing demand.
As mentioned earlier, Freon costs about $125 – $150 per pound. 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.
While it is not usually illegal to install an air conditioning unit in your own home, there are several important factors to consider before taking on this DIY project. Local building codes, refrigerant handling, electrical work, and proper sizing and placement are all critical aspects of a successful installation.
An AC leak will lead to warmer air from your vents over time. In most cases this can be fixed with a proven stop leak additive to seal up any leaks. When it's time for an AC recharge, turn to AutoZone.