Can I Place Freon in My Air Conditioner?

In order to function properly, your air conditioner needs a specific amount of refrigerant. If the level of refrigerant often referred to by the brand name of Freon, drops below the needed amount, your system will work less efficiently and may even develop other problems. If this happens, you might wonder whether you can put more Freon in your unit in order to save on repair costs. 

A Costly Ordeal

The refrigerant in your AC system is not like oil or gas in a car. The unit’s coils are sealed, so refrigerant levels should never change. If they do, it is because you have a leak in the coils. This can cause further problems for your system, such as:

  • Low or warm airflow
  • Blocks of ice on the coils
  • Water buildup on the floor or in the unit due to ice blocks melting
  • High electricity usage

Ice buildup and melting can be especially problematic for your system, since the water can damage other components and drive up the cost of repairs. If this occurs, you will need to get professional service in order to fix the leak as well as any other problems that may have resulted from it.

DIY or No?

Even if you have experience working on your own HVAC system, replenishing the levels of Freon in your unit is a complex and costly ordeal. There are multiple reasons for this:

  • Availability of Freon: First of all, suppliers will not sell Freon to unlicensed individuals. If you buy it yourself, then the transaction may be illegal. It is also very expensive, amounting to hundreds of dollars for a single container. Since Freon has been phased out by the EPA, it will only become more scarce and, therefore, more expensive.
  • Special instruments: In addition to the high cost of Freon, it is crucial that your system have just the right amount. In order to determine how much needs to be added to a leaky system, you will need expensive tools and instruments. Without these, it is too easy to cause further harm to your system.
  • Expertise: Finally, in order to use the instruments needed to replenish your unit’s refrigerant, you need to know how to use them. This requires experience and training in order to do so properly.

Given the restrictions on refrigerant purchase and the complexity of proper maintenance, it is best if you leave the task to a licensed technician, such as those at Climate Tech Air Conditioning and Heating.

A Better Solution

If your system uses Freon, technically called R22, then you might also benefit from an upgrade. AC units that use Freon have been discontinued since 2010. Newer units use a more eco-friendly substance called R410A, and they also work more efficiently than older units. In fact, you could save as much as 30% on cooling bills with an upgrade to a newer air conditioner. At Climate Tech Air Conditioning and Heating, we offer expert AC system design and installation to residents throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Whether you are looking for an upgrade or simply need a leaky system fixed, call us for the quality service you deserve.

2015-04-13T08:00:26-05:00April 13th, 2015|Uncategorized|

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