Perhaps, you are here to know how to refill a window air conditioner since the air that your unit emits is not that cold anymore. But before you start the process, you need to ensure that it indeed needs a refill.
In some cases, you might just need to clean your window AC unit. The unit will not require you to refill the refrigerant not unless it is leaking.
Since refrigerant contains pollutants, it is not a good practice to refill it yourself.
Refilling and fixing leaks in the refrigerant line is best done by an expert so that you may call a certified HVAC professional.
Can You Refill A Window AC System?
Yes, you may refill it yourself. However, it is only recommended if we understand even the basic mechanism of an air conditioner. Although you can greatly save money through DIY projects, keep in mind that things can go wrong drastically if you are not experienced when it comes to working with an AC unit.
The reason behind this is that refrigerant is a toxic substance, numerous safety routines are needed to be followed when refilling it. That is why this tasked is recommended to be performed by professionals only. It is best to avoid doing it yourself if you do not have a license.
What Do You Need To Refill A Window Air Conditioner?
In refilling an AC unit, only one thing is needed, and you can easily find this at any local or online maintenance store. Then, you have to get a Freon kit. This kit is composed of everything that you may need for a refill.
Take note that the kit must include an instruction manual. Read them carefully and ensure to follow the direction since refrigerant can be poisonous. You need to use it with extra caution.
Also, remember to look up the local laws in your state because some states do not allow working with a cooling system. This job should be left to professionals. So, how to refill a window air conditioner?
Steps To Refill A Window Air Conditioner
Refilling the refrigerant of a window AC unit is not done too often because people would usually buy a new one when their old unit fails. Nonetheless, you can refill the refrigerant and put your unit back working to cool the space.
If you are confident that you can do it yourself, it would be good since you will save a lot. But remember that this can be tricky, especially when you have not worked on this before. So ensure to learn everything about it first before you begin.
Step #1. Locating and repair the leaks
First and foremost, you need to check if there is a leak. Perhaps, the unit’s leak is prolonged, then only a little boost each year is required. Most people would do this, and there is no problem if you do so.
However, if the leak is quite fast, you will have to get it fixed or repaired first before you refill the unit with refrigerant. You can use various ways to locate the leak, including soap or Nitrogen, to inspect the system.
You might as well purchase a leak detector for this purpose. This can easily identify the refrigerant leakage and then will make a clear and quick beep after it detected a leak.
Commonly, leaks occur at or close to the joints. This will often require soldering to repair the joints together again.
Step #2. Installing a Schrader valve
Small AC units are usually not designed with a service port where you can hook the gauge. But do not worry because installing this is an easy job. It only requires soldering. You might as well use a piercing kit.
The piercing valve is also very easy to install. This is the most commonly used method in installing a Schrader valve onto an AC system.
You can also install service vents to the line releasing low-pressure when adding Freon. Again, you can easily identify this line since it is the one with a larger diameter.
Step #3. Refill the unit
Once you have already repaired the leaks and install the service port, you can then refill the refrigerant onto the unit. Again, you will need Freon and a gauge for this. These days, people usually use R410-A. But refer to the label of your device to be sure.
You can purchase this R410-A from any online local AC supply store. All you have to do is hook the gauge onto the service interface then towards the unit’s refrigerant tank. Before you start, read and understand the PSI setting first.
It’s A Wrap!
It is not difficult to get this project done for as long as you know how to refill a window air conditioner and have a refrigerant unit. However, keep in mind that you must follow the instruction provided in the kit with extra caution.
Also, keep in mind the importance of maintenance in any appliance you have at home, including your air conditioner. Having your unit serviced would also be ideal to ensure that everything works perfectly well.