You probably know that one of the basic components that makes an air conditioner work (and most types of refrigeration equipment) is a chemical called refrigerant. But how much do you know about how refrigerant works to keep your home cool during the summer? If you’ve ever been curious about refrigerant, we have some facts to share with you. However, this information is no substitute for professional skill and training, so whenever your air conditioner starts to experience trouble doing its job, make sure to call on HVAC technicians to take care of the necessary AC repairs.
What does refrigerant do in air conditioning maintenance?
- Absorbs indoor heat by evaporating in the indoor coil
- Releases heat outdoors by condensing in the outdoor coil
- Cycles between liquid and gas to transfer thermal energy
- Helps cool your home efficiently without ducts
- Low refrigerant levels can signal a leak and need immediate service
The basics of air conditioning refrigerant
The refrigerant found in a typical central AC of a home today is a chemical blend called R-410A. This is sometimes referred to as “Freon,” which is specifically a trademark name by DuPont that applies to a number of different refrigerant blends throughout history. This refrigerant can most easily between liquid and gaseous states, which is what allows it to absorb heat and release it so effectively. If your system is struggling to cool efficiently or seems to be running longer than usual, it could point to an issue with refrigerant levels—how long AC should run is often a key indicator of system health.
In an air conditioning system, the refrigerant gains energy from the compressor, which turns it into a hot gas. The refrigerant then goes through condensation when it passes through the outdoor coil; condensation releases heat, and the refrigerant cools down. After passing through an expansion valve, the refrigerant loses pressure and cools down further, and when it eventually moves through the indoor coil, it is cold and causes evaporation to occur as it meets the warm indoor air. The refrigerant absorbs heat from the indoor air, warming up the refrigerant as it cools the air. The refrigerant then returns to the compressor to restart the cycle. A loss in this cycle’s efficiency is often a sign of refrigerant not being replenished, which indicates a leak rather than normal usage.
The very earliest refrigerants were either toxic or highly combustible chemicals like ammonia, sulfur dioxide, and methyl chloride. The current blends are much safer, and they produce a far lower level of greenhouse gas emissions. The newest blends have also contributed to making air conditioners more energy-efficient than ever.
Loss of refrigerant due to leaks is one of the more common problems that air conditioners can encounter. If you hear a hissing noise from your AC, it is probably because of a leak that is allowing the refrigerant to escape. Don’t wait for the problem to get worse: call on technicians right away to fix low refrigerant issues before it leads to serious damage.
In Wilmette, IL, you can reach the repair experts at Malek Heating & Cooling any time of the day or night.