When your window AC unit stops blowing cold air but is functioning properly in every other regard, it is likely low on coolant. This means that the unit will have to be recharged with a fresh infusion of coolant, likely Freon. That isn’t necessarily a given though. Be sure to research what specific coolant your window air conditioner uses. If it does turn out to be Freon, you can buy a Freon kit, which will include all the tools and instructions necessary to get you through the AC recharge process. Note that Freon is toxic to humans and any handling and safety instructions that come with your kit should be taken very seriously. DISCLAIMER: Depending on your local laws, the use of refrigerants like Freon and even tinkering with the inner workings of an air conditioner unit are illegal unless you are specifically licensed to do so. Look into your local regulations and make sure that you are not breaking any laws by attempting a project like this. Unlike central air conditioner units, window air conditioners only draw power from the wall socket they are plugged into.

Simply removing the plug will ensure that you can open up the machinery and inspect things safely.what causes a window ac unit to freeze up Some AC units can be opened by simply sliding the front ends out of place, while others will require the aid of a screwdriver. how much energy does a ac window unit useConsult the owner’s manual for your specific device to determine the proper method.air conditioning unit best buy Having successfully opened up your window conditioner, you will need to carefully check for any signs of leakage. If you locate any leaks, fix them or call in a professional to do so before using the device again. If no leakage is present, consult the device's owner's manual to determine the proper amount of refrigerant you’ll need to add.

Using both the unit’s manual and the tools included in your Freon kit, locate the compressor part of the window AC and the two lines coming off it. Next, take the service valve from your kit and attach it to the compressor line. The compressor should still have one free, unattached line extending from it. Take this remaining compressor line and attach it to the tap valve, which will also be included in the Freon kit. Attach both of the valves that you’ve just installed, the service and tap valves respectively, to your container of Freon. The kit should contain a detailed diagram showing how to properly position the coolant tank between the two valves. When you’re assured that everything is connected tightly and properly with no potential for leaks, plug in your window AC unit and power it on at its highest setting. With the Freon tank now directly linked to the unit’s inner working via the service valve and tap, the normal flow of air that occurs while the unit is operational will push or “charge” Freon into the unit.

When the unit is finished taking in the amount of Freon mentioned in your user manual, power down the unit, unplug it, remove the valves from the compressor, and place the unit back in its housing. To reiterate, in many parts of the country this work is legally restricted to people who are licensed experts. Assuming you can even legally attempt it, if at any point in the process you become confused or unexpected problems arise, stop what you’re doing immediately and call a professional. When this process is handled incorrectly is can be damaging to the window air conditioning unit and dangerous to the user.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