One of the most common questions we get about refrigerant is whether or not it needs to be refilled in the beginning of summer to help the system run more efficiently. While a refrigerant leak would necessitate the refill—or recharge, rather—of refrigerant, this is not something that should occur often. It certainly shouldn’t be happening every summer. Keep reading below to learn more about your air conditioner’s refrigerant and why you shouldn’t need a refill.
What Exactly Is Refrigerant?
This is a general term that actually refers to a number of heat transfer fluids, and is used by systems such as air conditioners to move heat from one area to another. You air conditioning system works by evaporating refrigerant in an evaporator coil, which is located inside the indoor unit of the system.
When refrigerant is evaporated, the coil draws heat out of the air within your home. The refrigerant—now a gas—travels down the refrigerant line to the condenser coil outside, where it gets converted back into liquid. This releases the collected heat.
One of the most commonly misunderstood facts about air conditioners is that they don’t actually consume refrigerant. Rather, the initial charge of refrigerant that your AC system is supplied with during installation should be enough to last for the entire lifespan of the system. As mentioned above, the only time refrigerant should need to be recharged is when you have a leak.
The Problem with Refrigerant Leaks
If a leak develops along your refrigerant line, then it will slowly drain your AC system of the fluid needed for it to operate. This means that over time, performance will decline and eventually various parts of your air conditioner will begin to break down. Be sure to call for repairs as soon as you notice fluid dripping from your air conditioner!
When you need quick air conditioning repairs in Coeur d’Alene, WA, don’t hesitate to contact ACI Northwest. We’re here to help with all of your home comfort needs and concerns.