How to tell if your home air conditioner is out of gas
Find out how to tell if the air conditioner in your home is out of gas and what you can do to fix it.
Hey there! We know that keeping an eye on your air conditioner is important, especially when it comes to making sure there’s enough gas in there. So, we thought we’d share a few tips to help you out!
First things first, keep an eye on the temperature of the air coming out of the unit. If it’s too cold or too warm, it could be a sign that there’s not enough gas or that something’s not quite right with the unit.
Also, keep an eye out for ice buildup in the pipes or mold and dirt that might be preventing the gas from circulating properly.
We hope these tips help!
How do you know if the air conditioner is out of gas
How can you tell if the air conditioner is unloaded then? If after choosing the desired temperature the air seems not to cool as it should, it may be time to recharge the refrigerant gas. If there is little gas in the air conditioner, however, you cannot act on the unit yourself; you will need to call in a specialized technician or contact the installer.
However, it is not always the case that a refrigerant gas refill is needed; before proceeding with a refill, it is always best to check the filters and their cleanliness, the condition of the condenser, and the proper functioning of all other parts of the air conditioning system.
How to tell if the air conditioner has run out of gas?
Some signs to look out for can confirm that there may be a problem with the refrigerant gas: in addition to temperature, we can look for mold buildup near the unit or dirt spots near the pipes or the presence of ice.
But can we know how long the gas lasts in the air conditioner? Usually and contrary to what you might think, gas refills are not needed at regular intervals; gas can last up to 10 years before needing a refill.
How do you notice that your air conditioner lacks gas?
If you are experiencing a problem with the air temperature, you can also try to figure out how to measure the gas in your air conditioner. To measure the presence of refrigerant gas, you can use pressure gauges, which are ideal tools for measuring gas pressure in the system. When using the pressure gauge, pipes must be connected to the valves in the air conditioner to measure the pressure. Since this is a delicate operation, therefore, it is advisable to rely on a professional who will be able to perform a proper and safe check.
What to do if the air conditioner leaks gas
Another reason why the air conditioner is not cooling properly could be the presence of a refrigerant gas leak. During normal operation of the air conditioning system, the gas cannot leak because it is placed in a safe closed circuit.
If there are any tears, it is a good idea to check the leak in the piping or fittings, repair it and, if necessary, replace what is no longer working and then create a vacuum in the air conditioner, again with the help of an expert, and then reinsert the gas. Gas leakage can make the air conditioner dangerous because it is very difficult to find, the gas is odorless and colorless and is extremely toxic to the environment.
The gas for new air conditioners
The gas for older air conditioners, refrigerant gas R410A, which until the arrival of newer models was used for most systems, will be replaced by the new refrigerant gas R32. By 2025 all models of air conditioners will have to use this type of gas, and older models will not be able to support the change.
New air conditioners will therefore be needed, while pipes and connections may remain the same. Why was R32 refrigerant gas chosen? Because it is safer and more suitable for residential systems and is less polluting, as it belongs to the HFC family, organic compounds that are less polluting than chlorofluorocarbons.
