Summer is almost here, and people are busy getting their homes ready for the heat. When we show up to a customer’s home to service their air conditioner, they often ask us if they need to add more refrigerant to their system. Let’s take a look at how your air conditioner actually uses refrigerant, and when you need to refill the system.
What is Refrigerant?
Refrigerant is actually a catchall term for a range of different heat transfer fluids, all of which serve the same general purpose. Your air conditioner cools your home by evaporating refrigerant in a part called the evaporator coil. This coil evaporates refrigerant to absorb thermal energy from the air in the ducts. It then sends the refrigerant gas down the refrigerant line to the outside unit, where it is condensed to release the collected heat outside of the home. The refrigerant is then sent back to the evaporator coil and the cycle continues.
When to Refill Your Refrigerant
The air conditioner doesn’t consume refrigerant during operation. It simply recycles the fluid back and forth between gaseous and liquid states. However, it is common for a leak to develop in the system’s refrigerant line. A refrigerant leak will drain the system of the fluid it needs to cool your home. This will lead to a steady drop in output, and eventually could cause the entire system to break down. If you notice liquid dripping from your air conditioner, you should call for repairs right away. That is pretty much the only time you’re going to need to have the refrigerant level in your air conditioner refilled.
Tuckers Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing offers a full range of air conditioner repair services throughout Potomac, MD. Call today to schedule an appointment with one of our technicians.