Should You Recharge Your A/C Unit For Optimal Performance? The short answer is no; you don't need to recharge your AC unit on a set schedule. In fact, most units only need to be recharged once every two to five years – and sometimes even longer than that.
The average cost of an AC recharge is $300. Typically, homeowners pay between $200 and $500, depending on several factors, including the AC type, size, and age, the cost of refrigerant, and more. If your AC unit isn't performing well, it might be time for an AC recharge.
Generally speaking, a properly maintained air conditioner can expect its refrigerant to last around 10-15 years or longer—depending on usage frequency and environmental wear and tear. To ensure your refrigerant lasts as long as possible, regular maintenance is key.
If everything is working properly, your AC should never need a refrigerant. In fact, a central air conditioner should never need refrigerant added unless there's a refrigerant leak. We'll explain how an AC uses refrigerant and what to do if you think your system is low on refrigerant.
You need to be aware that if your AC unit uses the CFC type of refrigerant, you will need a licensed AC technician to recharge the system in the United States. It is against the law in the U.S. for anyone not licensed to buy or use ozone-depleting CFC or HCFC refrigerants.
Refrigerant is a working chemical that runs through your car's A/C system in either a gaseous or liquid form. Causes of refrigerant leaks in your vehicle include physical damage, wear and tear over time, and escaping refrigerant even without a leak.
First, check your filters and coils for dirt and debris that may be impeding airflow. Once you've cleaned the filters and coils, run the air conditioner with just the fan so that the ice accumulation can melt off. If the AC still doesn't blow cold air, it could be that refrigerant levels are too low.
A Question of Supply and Demand
Even though Freon is still being produced, the supply has dwindled as producers have cut back in anticipation of lower demand. Therefore, maintenance people and air conditioning system specialists have less supply and are charging more for it.
Running the AC unit full-time in our big house example would cost $7.39 per day for the efficient unit, or about $222 per month. For the less efficient unit, you're looking at $10.56 per day or about $317 per month. Not only that, but running all day is hard on your air conditioner.
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.
As the charge becomes lower the oil does not circulate as well and it causes damage to the AC compressor and the Thermostatic Expansion valve. The good news is that recharging your air conditioning system is a relatively simple process — but it's essential to do this regularly.
Yes. Age eventually takes its toll on an air conditioner, so you could say a refrigerant leak is inevitable.
There are a number of reasons why your air conditioner might be running but not cooling. It could be an issue with the thermostat, the compressor, or the evaporator coils. Or, it could simply be clogged with dust and debris, which is preventing it from working properly.
To clean the coils, spray the fins on the inside of the unit with an A/C coil cleaner, following the manufacturer's instructions. To remove the cleaning detergent, spray with a hose to push the cleaner through the fins to the outside of the unit. Don't use a pressure washer — the force of the water can damage the fins.
Adding Freon to an AC unit is not a typical DIY project. It requires working with a dangerous chemical, a pressurized tank, and intricate equipment. Any part of the process going wrong can permanently damage your AC unit or cause injury to yourself. Contact a local HVAC professional for this type of service.
All AC units are designed to keep the refrigerant (Freon) for the life period of the unit which is 15 to 20 years.
Watch the pressure gauges for fluctuating air pressure, which confirms the presence of a leak. indicate the location of the hole or puncture. As an alternate to a nitrogen test, add an ultraviolent dye to the system and use a black light to search for traces of leaks.
It's important to note that low refrigerant levels don't always mean a leak. We often receive calls at Watkins Heating & Cooling from customers with low Freon who had their HVAC system installed by other companies.
Take note of the strength of the air that blows out of your AC vents. If you notice weak or low airflow, this could likely mean you're running low on refrigerant. Be sure to rule out any other potential causes before recharging your refrigerant.
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. To break this down for you, a 25lbs unit of r410A costs anything between $100 and $175.