Freon is crucial for cooling machines such as air conditioners and refrigerators, so you must check regularly. If something is missing with the freon, the cooling process will not work as it should.
The function of Freon as fluid is to absorb hot air and convert it to cold air by converting it into a gas. One might wonder where I can buy freon for my AC unit? Usually, every AC technician also sells freon.
Besides being diligent in cleaning the freon condition, it must also be checked so that the amount does not match the standard. How to check the freon in a home air conditioner?
How to Tell When Air Conditioner Needs Freon
- Make Sure the Air Conditioner is Not Lack Freon
The amount of freon in the air conditioner is not suitable, making the cooling machine work less than optimal. As a result, the air coming out of the air conditioner will not be as cold as we expect. It will often make the room feel hotter. The method is as follows to ensure that your air conditioner is not short of freon.
- Turn on the air conditioner and leave it for about 30 minutes.
- Check the air conditioner’s indoor unit to ensure the fan and compressor function usually.
- Check the connection of the large and small pipes on the indoor unit. If it still looks wet like dew, the freon is still OK.
- Only on a large pipe is it possible that the freon flow is not smooth, maybe because it is dirty.
- If only a small pipe is wet, that indicates low freon
2. Things to Pay Attention to If Freon is Low
- Watch out for if there is less freon. Make sure to further check with a freon pressure gauge called a manifold.
- Don’t just look at the condition of one pipe on the indoor unit. Periodically you still have to check both lines when you feel something is wrong with the air conditioner. Keep checking freon in home ac yourself, and do a thorough check.
- If it feels like you can’t solve the freon problem on your own, it’s time for you to call a technician.
3. Less Cold
How to check the freon in a home air conditioner? The air conditioner is not cold enough, not solely due to the lack of pressure on the freon, but several things beyond that. These factors include:
- Dirty AC conditions
- Insufficient voltage The
- The freon line on the AC unit is clogged
- The compressor that is not working optimally
- Fan or outdoor fan that rotates too weakly
- There is a problem with the relay
How to Add Freon Easily
You can use the air conditioner freon refill cost as an added freon service for those who are not experts in air conditioning. But if you have your freon and it is ready to be used for refilling, you can follow the instructions below.
This explanation is not only for those who want to refill freon yourself but also for those of you technicians who want to work in the field of AC service.
- Attach the Manifold to the Compressor
You first have to remove the valve cover on the compressor, which is located outside. Attach the manifold hose to the opened compressor. Ensure the hose size is correct so the freon gas can enter optimally.
Use the manifold end connection if your freon is R32 or R410. Make sure the valve size on the AC is the same as the type of freon you want to fill.
For larger hose sizes, usually the freon of the R22 type. Also, make sure you have to install it properly. Otherwise, the needle will not move.
- Do Charging Slowly
After everything is done correctly, then you can do the charging slowly. Open the manifold valve, and also pay attention to the manifold needle that will move up. Do the filling slowly, usually at a pressure of 30-40 psi. The AC pipe will emit ice. Only then, after above 40 psi, the ice flower will disappear.
- Adjust AC Pressure with PK and Compressor Ampere
Adjust the freon pressure filled with PK or AC size. If the AC you fill is PK, fill it until the pressure reaches 60 – 70 psi. If the AC is 1 PK, fill it up to 80-90 psi of freon.
Also, pay attention to the amperage on the compressor. If you do not pay attention and the amperage exceeds the limit, the compressor will overload and break. Use the applicable standards in the AC freon charging tutorial book. If you fill with freon R410 and R32, you must first vacuum.
Bottom Line
You’ve reached the end of ‘how to check the freon in a home air conditioner’. If you hear a hissing sound or notice a drop in cooling efficiency from your air conditioning unit, it could indicate a refrigerant leak in the refrigerant lines or evaporator coils. A soap test can be used to check for such leaks.
Checking freon levels is essential to ensure the proper AC refrigerant level, and any leak in a home air conditioner should be promptly repaired by a professional technician to maintain the unit’s optimal performance. Make sure you know when the freon runs out and when you need to refill the freon with the fluid so that your air conditioner will last longer and be damage-free.
