If you want the quick and easy answer, you should never run your air conditioner when it's low on refrigerant.
When your AC's refrigerant is low, it causes a lot of problems for your system. The coils can freeze over which causes the unit to fail to cool the house properly, wasting energy and raising your electric bills. Leaving refrigerant levels low can also cause damage to the compressor which can be costly to replace.
Generally it's not good to run an air conditioner without refrigerant, as the compressor probably won't be getting lubricated or cooled as it should. Why do you want to run it if you know it's low on refrigerant?
Poor Cooling Performance
If your system is struggling to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature, despite running continuously, it is likely due to the lack of refrigerant. The AC will have difficulty absorbing enough heat from the indoor air, leading to poor cooling ability.
Air conditioners run on electricity. Some systems use natural gas as a power source, but only if that system also provides heat since cooling requires electricity. A better understanding of the role of electricity in running your AC system means you're able to prepare for power outages, surges and other interruptions.
An air conditioner (AC) won't cool your home effectively if it runs without refrigerant, also commonly referred to as “gas” in this context.
If you want the quick and easy answer, you should never run your air conditioner when it's low on refrigerant.
The gas used for air conditioning never runs out. An AC unit can operate for 8–10 years without needing a gas refill if you use it wisely. But, consumption will have an effect on the overall performance. It performs the task of converting hot air into the cold air or serving as the air conditioner's "fuel".
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.
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.
But you shouldn't run your AC if the temperature is below 60°F. Heat pumps: Modern heat pumps are effective at around 25 to 30°F. Ductless mini-splits: Avoid using the cooling function when temperatures fall below 60°F.
One of the most obvious signs that your vehicle needs a Freon recharge is that your vehicle will be blowing warm air, even after your vehicle has been running for some time. If your refrigerant gets too low, there will simply not be enough “coolant” to cool the air as it is passed through your evaporator coil.
Maybe you think you might smell gas and are trying to figure out why. (Note: if you smell gas in your home, leave the building and call your utility company from a safe distance or a neighbor's house.) In one way, the answer to this question is very simple: all air conditioners run on electricity.
Arguably the largest issue with low refrigerant levels is damage to the compressor. Low refrigerant levels decrease pressure which causes serious damage to your compressor, eventually causing it to collapse. Replacing your compressor is extremely expensive and should be avoided if possible.
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.
It's important to note that air conditioners don't consume refrigerant like fuel; they circulate it through the system repeatedly and are electric-powered systems.
The short answer is no; you don't need to recharge your AC unit on a set schedule.
(It's like how we call bandages “Band-Aids” or gelatin “Jello.”) That refrigerant cycles through the system over and over, which can make us wonder if it can ever go bad, get used up, or wear out. The truth is that refrigerant doesn't wear out, go bad, or need refills in a leak-free system.
The reason for this is that the air conditioner is designed for a very specific refrigerant charge, and when that charge drops it upsets the general operation of the AC. Specifically, it limits how much heat the AC can absorb along the evaporator coil, and this will cause the coil to freeze over.
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.
No Cold Air: When your system is low on refrigerant, more heat is trapped in the cooling chamber, meaning that it's harder to cool the air entering your home. Because the system can't adjust and keep the air there for longer, it sends air out at a less than ideal temperature.
Never. You shouldn't have to add refrigerant to a central air conditioner because it doesn't use up the refrigerant. The only reason you would ever need to recharge (that is, add refrigerant to) your A/C is if you have a leak. Once the leak is fixed, the problem should be solved.