Can You Recharge a Window Air Conditioner? When your window air-conditioning unit spits out less-than-cool air, you may think it's time to recharge it with new refrigerant. But the unit may just need a cleaning instead. Refrigerant doesn't require recharging unless the closed-loop system developed a leak. Because of the ozone-depleting pollutants in the refrigerant, it's not a good idea to recharge a window AC unit yourself. Recharging refrigerant or fixing the leak is best left to certified HVAC technicians. The components inside a window air-conditioning unit include a compressor that pumps the refrigerant, two coils, a sealed tube filled with an EPA-regulated refrigerant, a blower and a fan, an expansion valve that opens to let refrigerant move, a filter and control unit. The unit has two separate evaporator and condensing processes that operate on the same principle as how water evaporating on your skin cools you down. Ingeniously designed, a window AC unit removes the heat from the room's air and replaces it with filtered cool air.

A blower inside the air conditioner pulls the room's warm air over the evaporator coils. The heat in the air transfers into the refrigerant inside the sealed coil, changing the refrigerant from liquid to gas, which then condenses back to a liquid form when the refrigerant releases the heat to the outside after moving into the condensing coils. The Heart of the System The compressor, the heart of the system, changes the pressure of the refrigerant to send it to the correct coil -- evaporator or condensing -- as it pumps it through the unit. The cool-air part of the unit sits inside the room separated by insulation from the hot-air side located near the back and outside the unit. During the evaporative cycle, moisture in the room air condenses on the coil because it has a lower temperature than the air's dew point. The collected moisture falls to a drip pan where it drains to the outside, allowing delivery or cool, dry air. While the rising temperature of summer may tempt you to run down to your local discount store and pick up one of those refrigerant recharge kits for your warm-blooded window AC unit, it's not a good idea.

Under section 608 of the Clean Air Act, the EPA requires certified technicians to service AC units because of the high levels of pollutants the refrigerant contains. The EPA also requires the refrigerants inside the unit to be recovered, reclaimed and recycled by licensed technicians. A dusty filter or dirty fins may be the real problem. Remove the trim panel or filter holder and pull it from the window -- with help, on heavier models -- and then remove the case and mounting frame. Brush and clean the outside fins gently with a soft-bristle brush dipped in a mixture of water and several squirts of dishwashing liquid solution from a bucket. Match the fins on the outside of the unit to an inexpensive fin comb to re-straighten them after cleaning. Vacuum the dust and debris buildup from both the evaporator and condensing coils. Spray both coils with an AC no-rinse foaming coil cleaner found at most home improvement stores. Clean the fan blades and oil its shaft if it has a removable rubber or plastic cap.

Wash or replace the air filter. Call a professional if the unit fails to work after cleaning. ASHRE: How An Air-Conditioning Unit Works U.S. Department of Environmental Protection Agency: What You Should Know about Refrigerants When Purchasing or Repairing a Residential A/C System or Heat Pump U.S. Department of Environmental Protection Agency: Section 608 Technician Certification Programs Family Handyman: How to Clean a Room Air Conditioner Window air conditioning units are used by many to cool apartments, homes, RVs and offices. ac window unit not in windowHow to Recharge Air Conditioning with...how much power does my ac unit useHow to Recharge Central Air Refrigerant and How Often. home ac unit not kicking on

How to Diagnose Automotive Air Conditioners. How to Recharge an RV Air Conditioner. In order for the air conditioner in an RV to operate effectively, ... Recharging an air conditioner involves replacing or topping off the coolant. Your air conditioner only needs to be recharged if coolant has... How to Charge a Ford F150 Air Conditioner Current Draw of Air Conditioners How to Repair a Window Unit Air Conditioner How to Recharge a Trane AC Unit How to Recharge a Chevy Tahoe Air Conditioner How to Recharge the AC on a 1994 JeepOvernight or Rapid Shipping available to your home or office! Overnight or Rapid Shipping available to your home or office! Copyright © Daniel O'Neill 1997-2016. Window air conditioners are not meant to be fixed and are most often tossed and replaced. However They are fixable, often only needing a low cost part or a refrigerant recharge to get them working again. Most window A/C units do not come with a service port Schrader valve and need one to be installed.

This is a easy process which only needs a piercing valve kit. You can also solder on a valve but it is not necessary and comes down to personal preference. Wire brush or emery cloth to clean the area. A Bullet Piercing Valve. Bullet Piercing Valves can be bought at most air conditioning part supply stores or online. Bullet Piercing Valve on Amazon Supco BPV31 Bullet Piercing Valve The first step is to find a spot on the copper refrigerant line that will be easily accessible and clean it with a wire brush or emery cloth. Get the valve and hold one side on. Attach the other side. Tighten down the outer screws evenly. After the outer screws are in place the center can be screwed in which will go into the line piercing it. You can now attach gauges on the the unit and test it or refill as you would any other A/C unit. There are some HVAC technicians who prefer to solder on a valve but in my experience a screw on valve works just as good.