There are a lot of misconceptions that we find people have regarding refrigerant. We wouldn’t be addressing this if it wasn’t important. Refrigerant plays a vital role in the operation of your central AC or heat pump. Misunderstanding what refrigerant does can actually lead you into trouble down the road and wind up saddling you with a big air conditioning repair in Ashland, KY.
Our team is here to help when you need to get your AC fixed. However, we are always on the side of saving time and money for our customers. This is why we want to give you a quick rundown on the importance of this chemical and what its real role is.
1. Refrigerant is what makes cool air.
Refrigerant is really what makes your air conditioner the system that it is. Without refrigerant, your AC would really just be a large fan. Refrigerant is responsible for transferring heat out of the air in your home which creates the cool air that you are looking for. This is what we mean when we say that refrigerant is a heat transfer medium NOT a fuel.
2. Refrigerant doesn’t get used up
Your AC is equipped with the exact amount of refrigerant it needs to function throughout the course of its lifespan, along with being pressurized perfectly to do so. As we just explained refrigerant is a heat transfer medium, not a fuel. Your refrigerant is not supposed to go anywhere. If you notice that you are low on this substance, it means there is a problem within the system–a leak.
3. Refrigerant leaks require repairs and recharges.
If you discover that there is a leak in your refrigerant line then it requires prompt action. Firstly you need to get the source of the leak found and patched up in order to stop your system from losing anymore. Secondly, you need a professional to provide you with a refrigerant recharge– essentially replenishing the lost refrigerant and making sure that the system is properly pressurized to do its job again.
4. The refrigerant in your AC may not be in production anymore.
The next time you schedule maintenance or a repair for your system make sure to have your technician check on your refrigerant type. Some refrigerants, such as R-22 are no longer in production. This will make recharges extremely expensive or even impossible once supplies run out. It is best to look into a replacement for your system if you discover your refrigerant is no longer in production or is about to be phased out.
Understanding refrigerant and the parts that control the flow of this substance is highly important in order to use your AC system. Of course, there is a lot of room for error if you try to adjust refrigerant in your system. It is best to leave this work to the professionals like those on our team.
Schedule your appointment with the team at Air Supreme Heating and Air Conditioning. We are Your HVAC experts in Flatwoods, KY.