Can you recharge a window air conditioner? If a window air conditioner no longer provides chilled air, the problem is not one that can be fixed with simple do-it-yourself methods. Experts agree that refrigerant leaks should be detected and remedied only by someone who is trained in A/C repair. Unlike car air conditioners that require periodic “topping off” of Freon or other refrigerant gases, window A/C units are sealed systems that don't readily allow refrigerant gases to escape. A typical window air conditioner comprises many moving parts along with filters, compressors, coils and sealed refrigerant tubes. Few, if any, parts in a window air conditioning unit can be repaired or replaced by a weekend handyman. If a window unit is not functioning properly, the best bet is to call an HVAC professional. How can you find wood gasifier boiler plans? What type of generators does Electric Generators Direct offer? What size dehumidifier do you need for an RV?

What brands make convection wall heat panels? Why won't my boiler work?Recharging a window air conditioner is not something many do as they are often throw away units with a new one bought. They can however be recharged with refrigerant and be put back to work cooling a room or space. Recharging a unit is not difficult but if you have never worked with refrigerant or in HVAC in the past than be sure to study the basics. This post is only to show the basics of getting a window A/C unit back to work after it has lost some refrigerant.Find and Fix Any Leak The first step is to check for leaks. If a unit has a very slow leak over the course of a year or more than it will only need a boost. A fast leak will need to be fixed and repaired before refilling it. There are a few methods for finding a leak from a visual inspection to filling a unit with Nitrogen and using soap to find the leak. Leak detectors can also be bought which sniff out a refrigerant leak and will make a fast audible beep as it moves closer to it.

Read Here For More information on Refrigerant Leak Detectors. Soldering a bad joint or any place the leak is the the most common method for leak repair.Install a Service Port Small air conditioner units will not usually have a service port to hook up gauges. Installing a service port is a easy task and requires soldering in a port or using a piercing valve kit. A piercing valve is easy to install and the most common method to get a Schrader Valve on a unit.why did my window ac unit stop working Service ports are installed on the low pressure line which is the larger diameter line.parts for home ac units Read Here for Instructions on Installing a Service Port on a Window A/C unit.window ac unit repair guide

After any leak is fixed and a service port has been installed the unit is ready for refrigerant. HVAC gauges and the correct Freon is needed. Most units today will use R410a but be sure to read the serve tag to be sure. R410a can be bought at air conditioning supply stores or even online on Amazon R410a Refrigerant 25lb ICELONG original Brand Hook up your gauges to the service port and the refrigerant tank. Be sure to watch your pressures on the gauges along with a temperature pressure chart to know what it should be. Be sure to know what the PSI should be at before starting. Be sure not to overfill the unit. The above are the basic steps involved in recharging a window air conditioning unit. Keep in mind there will always be design differences between manufactures. Also be sure to always follow safety procedures as you would with any HVAC unit.Written Unless your Air conditioning system Refrigerant starts to Leak there is no need of Replacement or recharge.

People may scam you that you need more refrigerant or Your Ac "used up" the refrigerant but don't worry about it.source: Residential & Commercial Heating and Cooling | With this air conditioner charging guide, you get the knowledge to check the refrigerant level in an air conditioner and add refrigerant if required. This guide is for central air conditioning systems that use R-22 refrigerant which is common in older units. **NOTE** In the U.S.A., you must have an EPA REFRIGERANT USAGE CERTIFICATION to purchase refrigerant and repair systems containing ozone depleting refrigerants (CFC or HCFC). **NOTE** ONLY YOU CAN ASSESS YOUR ABILITY TO PERFORM THIS TASK. There are several types of refrigerants and they are classified by chemical makeup and their ozone depleting potential. Older units will probably contain R-22 which is classified as a CFC which is considered an ozone depleting chemical. R-22 is scheduled to be phased out of use in new units but will be available for repairs for many years.

Newer units may contain R-410a which is classified as an HFC which is not considered to be an ozone depleting chemical. Other refrigerants are available but those two are the most common. Some substitutes are available to replace R-22 in existing units but that is normally a job for a professional. Prior to air conditioner charging, it is very important that the routine maintenance has been performed on the system. The air filter, blower wheel, evaporator coil, and condenser coil must be clean. If any of the above are dirty, it can cause symptoms similar to a unit that is low on refrigerant. If refrigerant is added under these conditions, the unit may be damaged.Air conditioner charging should not be performed when outdoor temperatures are below 55 F. Some tools are required in the process of air conditioner charging. A set of gauges is attached to the system to measure operating pressures. They consist of a manifold with a high and low pressure gauge as well as hoses to connect to the system's ports.

The gauge sets are manufactured for specific refrigerants therefore you must ensure that you have the proper set for the refrigerant in your system. They contain a scale with pressure and temperature values on it. The temperature at a given pressure mark is referred to as the saturation temperature.You will also need a device to measure temperatures on the pipes that contain refrigerant as well as a thermometer to measure air temperatures. To measure the temperatures on the pipes you can use a thermocouple based meter or an infrared thermometer. To check the charge in your unit, you should begin by shutting the unit off. The hoses from the gauge manifold can then be attached to the pressure ports on the system. The low pressure hose is normally blue and is connected to the suction line which is the larger of the two pipes. The high pressure hose is typically red and is connected to the liquid line which is the smaller of the two pipes.The next step is to turn the unit on and allow it to run for at least 15 minutes for the system to reach steady state operation.

Then, you should measure the outdoor air temperature, the return air temperature at the furnace/air handler, the suction line temperature, and the liquid line temperature.Most newer units have a label on the inside of the air conditioner electrical compartment cover. This will give you specific instructions for your unit. It will typically tell you to measure superheat or subcooling. It will also give you a chart that has values for superheat or subcooling for a given outdoor temperature.Superheat is heat that is added to the refrigerant that causes the temperature of the refrigerant to rise above its saturation temperature. It is found by measuring the suction line temperature and subtracting the low pressure gauge temperature reading from it. To increase superheat in a system, refrigerant is removed. To decrease superheat, refrigerant must be added.Subcooling is heat that is removed from the refrigerant that causes the temperature of the refrigerant to go below its saturation temperature.

It is normally found by measuring the liquid line temperature and subtracting it from the value shown on the high pressure gauge reading. To increase subcooling, refrigerant is added to the system. To decrease subcooling, refrigerant must be removed.If you do not have a charging procedure/chart in your unit, you will need to determine what type of metering device your system uses. This will either be a thermostatic expansion valve or a restrictor orifice. If your system uses a thermostatic expansion valve (TXV), you can use the following values: The system superheat should normally be about 18 F. The system subcooling should typically be about 25 F.If your system uses a restrictor, you can use the following table for your air conditioner charging. It contains recommended superheat values for given indoor and outdoor air temperatures. The numbers on the top correspond to the outdoor temperature that you measure. The numbers on the far left correspond to the return air temperature. (All temperatures are dry bulb values)

To find the required superheat, find the return air temperature on the left. Then, follow the line to the right and stop on the column at the outside air temperature measurement. The number where they meet is the required superheat. If your unit requires adding refrigerant, you should check for evidence of leaks and repair them. Some typical places to find leaks are the unit pressure ports, weld/braze connections, or places where rubbing has produced a hole in the tubing. The method of air conditioner charging you use will depend on the type of refrigerant in your system. R-22 is normally added in the vapor state (with the container right side up) to the suction line of the system. Blended refrigerants, such as R-410a, are normally added in the liquid state by turning the container upside down.In either case, the refrigerant should be added slowly in small amounts. Sufficient time (typically 5 minutes) should be allowed between adding amounts to allow the system temperatures and pressures to stabilize.