Do you ever want to put some refrigerant on your fridge and wonder, “How to add Freon to fridge?” To add Freon to your fridge, you must check first if it uses a liquid refrigerant.
For you to do that, check the label inside the refrigerator that contains the information on whether it runs on chlorofluorocarbon, commonly known as CFC.
Once you learn that your fridge uses Freon, unplug and empty your fridge, check how much Freon the fridge needs, connect the Freon tank to the adaptor, and close the valve. When your fridge lacks Freon, it is more likely not to keep the food cold, so you may need to check the level of your liquid refrigerant.
However, before using Freon, you must first review if your refrigerator has run out of refrigerants because other issues may cause it. Once you have confirmed that you need to add Freon to your fridge, read on as we show you the ways of adding Freon to your fridge!
Steps To Add Freon To Fridge
When adding Freon to the fridge, you must be knowledgeable on how to handle it properly, for it is a toxic substance that may cause serious health issues to you. Not only that, refrigerants that contain CFCs are harmful to the environment, so mishandling it will only result in some problems.
So, make sure that you wear safety gear and observe precautions. Now, prepare to take note as we discuss all the things you should know and the list of easy steps on how to add Freon to fridge.
Step #1. Determine if the fridge uses Freon
Some refrigerators do not use Freon, so make sure that the fridge does need one. To determine it, check if a metal or plastic sticker inside the refrigerator containing the product’s information. Then, check the label for the Freon to be used on the label and ensure that the liquid refrigerant you are about to add is the same as listed.
Way #2. Preparing the fridge
Before you start checking the components inside the fridge, make sure to disconnect the power source for the refrigerator first to avoid any unwanted accidents. Next, empty the refrigerator by removing all the products you have stored inside and placing them inside a cooler full of ice.
After which, move the fridge away from its place if you are unable to access the back part. Once you have accessed the back part, remove the screws and bolts using a screwdriver or wrench, and then take away the panel to access the components behind freely.
Way #3. Locating the Freon pipe
You can find the Freon pipe around the compressor tank, so you have to locate it to add a Freon. The compressor tank is usually on the bottom part at the back of the fridge, so through it, determine where the Freon pipe is. You may also use your fridge’s manual to quickly locate the line for Freon if there are multiple pipes and you cannot determine which is the right one.
Way #4. Inserting a valve around the Freon pipe
The valve you need to place around the Freon pipe, which gives you an entrance through the line without removing it, is a bullet-piercing one with three nuts. Remove these nuts using a wrench, and then wrap the valve around the Freon pipe.
Ensure that you have tightened the valve around the line to avoid leaks while adding Freon into it. Afterward, remove the cap on the side of the valve wrapped around the pipe.
Then, attach the conversion valve to the opening. Once you have connected the conversion valve to the bullet-piercing valve, screw it in place and tighten it correctly.
Way #5. Checking the Freon level
You must know the reading of the Freon level of the fridge for you to know how much Freon does your fridge needs precisely. To do this, plug the refrigerator and after approximately 10 to 15 minutes, attach an air compressor gauge to the adaptor for you to get the pressure and Freon level.
Now, you may check the Freon level of the fridge using the pressure gauge. If the Freon level reading is on the blue part of the gauge, you still have enough Freon for your fridge, and there is no need for you to add some.
However, when the compressor gauge has a reading of 0 psi, there is not enough Freon inside your fridge, and you need to add more for the refrigerator to work correctly. To check for the pressure again, open the valve for approximately 4 to 10 seconds and attach the gauge once more.
Way #6. Refilling the Freon
On the first step, you determined what label of Freon to use, so use the one that corresponds to the label shown. Then, avail a replacement tank that fits with the kind of Freon your fridge uses. Next, screw the hose of the Freon tank tightly to the adaptor on the bullet-piercing valve. Lastly, open the valve on top of the replacement tank to refill the Freon for your fridge.
Some Freon tanks have gauges that show how much refrigerant is released and some do not, so if nothing determines the level of Freon released, check from time to time if you have already reached the desired Freon level.
Once you finish filling it with Freon, screw the cap of the Freon tank tightly and remove the adaptor attached. Next, close the adaptor valve using its cap and screw the panel to close the fridge’s backside finally.
Conclusion
And those are the six ways on how to add Freon to fridge. After you successfully filled Freon into the fridge, plug your fridge and check if it now works correctly. When handling liquid refrigerants, you should be knowledgeable enough or consult a professional because these contain harmful substances that may damage your health and the environment.