Your central air conditioner works by performing a complex form of heat transfer with the assistance of a chemical refrigerant. When your refrigerant level runs low, the heat transfer does not take place and the unit, while remaining functional and blowing air, will not provide cold air. This is a sign that you should be recharging or refilling the air conditioner. Research what kind of refrigerant your unit uses. There are different types and recharging with the wrong one could cause problems much worse than simply not having a charged AC unit. While it is possible to acquire coolant and recharge the unit yourself by purchasing a commercial Freon kit, the rest of the functioning elements of air conditioners can seem dangerous and intimidating to an inexperienced person. If you do not feel comfortable with a project of this magnitude, it’s a good idea to call an air conditioning expert. Refrigerant is toxic, and ingesting it can damage your health. Even while performing the check and removal of the old refrigerant, wear protective gear such as a mask, googles, and gloves.

In some areas it is illegal to use refrigerants or do this kind of work on air conditioning units without the proper license. Note that just because refrigerant is available for sale online or in a store, it still may be against the rules for you, a layperson, to be the one handling it once it’s purchased. Check your local laws before attempting this project. Using your air conditioner’s manual, locate the compressor of your unit. It will look like a metal cylinder and have two lines coming off it. TIP: Before adding the coolant, use this opportunity to inspect the rest of the components and make sure they are clean and working. There are two reasons this is necessary: 1) it may be something other than the refrigerant that impacting the unit’s performance, and 2) if fresh refrigerant is added and the unit is powered on while another component isn’t functioning optimally, all kinds of general damage could occur far beyond a coolant or charging issue. Locate the service valve inside your Freon kit.

It will be the large connector valve found amongst the kit’s other contents. Plug the service valve into a compressor line (one of the lines you located next to the compressor earlier) in air conditioner unit. Follow the Freon kit instructions to attach the service valve appropriately. Your Freon kit also contains a small valve connector. That valve is called the tap valve. The tap valve must be plugged into the remaining compressor line to your AC’s compressor. how much does it cost to service ac unitYou will find fittings on top of your air conditioner’s compressor. split ac parts diagramFollow the instructions in the Freon kit’s manual for the best results or if there is any confusion.how much do window ac units cost to run

To add Freon to the lines, you need to attach the Freon container to the two valves that you have just installed. Follow the instructions set in your Freon kit to secure the container between the two valves. Basically, the air conditioner will force the Freon into the unit. Now that you’ve finished installing new refrigerant to your home AC unit, you need to let the Freon flow in to it. To do so, simply turn on the unit and turn it up to the highest setting. This will force Freon into your unit, effectively recharging your air conditioner in the process. Once the unit is done taking in all of the Freon, turn off the air conditioning unit. Remove the Freon container and the two valves that you installed.If your car's air conditioner is no longer cooling the air as it should, low refrigerant levels (due to a slow leak) are usually the problem. This is especially a possibility if the air has gradually gotten warmer over a few weeks or if you're turning your A/C back on after not using it over the winter.

A can of A/C Pro will recharge your system with refrigerant while also automatically sealing small leaks in the rubber gaskets or hoses. It's simple and anyone can do it in about 10-15 minutes, no additional tools required. Here's how:Step-by-step instructionsStart your car and turn on the air conditioner to its maximum cool setting with the blower set to high.  Open the hood and look to see if the A/C compressor is running. It should cycle on and off; when on,  the center of the pulley will be spinning. The compressor has to be running before you can check the refrigerant pressure. If it is not turning on at all, it is often because there is no refrigerant left in the system; to check, proceed to step 7, add ½ can of refrigerant, and see if the compressor then turns on.    Locate the A/C system's low-pressure service port. Two metal tubes come out of the A/C compressor; the low-pressure port will be on the larger of those two tubes and is the only port on which the A/C Pro hose will properly fit.

You can check the online port locator on the A/C Pro website for help in finding your low-pressure port. Remove the plastic cap from the port and save it, so you can put it back in place when you are finished.   Unscrew the pressure gauge and hose from the top of the A/C Pro can, and then remove the red-and-white plastic shipping disk from the can. Discard the shipping disk.    Attach the quick-connect fitting on the end of the recharge hose to your low-pressure service port. Simply push the fitting onto the port until it clicks. Do NOT pull the trigger on the hose assembly until it is attached to the A/C Pro can (in step 7), as that would allow refrigerant to leak out of the system.  When the compressor cycles on, check the refrigerant pressure with the gauge. To do so, rotate the dial on the gauge until the center arrow in the "V" on the clear plastic lens points to the ambient (outside) temperature (if temperature is between 85°-115°F, point the red arrow to 85°). If the needle on the gauge is past the "V," read step 2 and make sure the compressor is running.

If the compressor is running and the needle is in the red, do not attempt to recharge—contact A/C Pro support for help. If the needle shows a pressure below the "V," proceed to the next step to add refrigerant. Pull the ring back to disconnect the recharge hose from the vehicle, and then screw the hose and gauge assembly onto the top of the can. Shake the can well, and reattach the quick-connect fitting to the low-pressure service port. Squeeze the trigger to begin charging. While charging, rotate the can between the 12 o'clock (upright) and 3 o'clock (sideways) position every few seconds. Every 10-15 seconds, release the trigger to check the pressure on the gauge. (The gauge will read "0" while the trigger is pulled.) The system will be properly charged when the pressure is within the "V" on the dial, and your car's vents are once again blowing cold air. Do NOT overcharge the system by going above the "V" or past the green zone on the gauge.  If it takes less than the full can of A/C Pro to recharge your system, simply leave the gauge and hose on the can, disconnect the hose from the low-pressure port, and store the can in a cool, dry location.

If the can seems empty, hold it upside down and pull the trigger for one minute before disconnecting it from the low-pressure port to make sure all of the product has been dispensed. You can then remove and save the recharge hose for future use and discard the empty can. For California customers: Do NOT discard the can, but rather, return it to the store for a deposit.  If you have questions or need help, contact A/C Pro support at 1-888-318-5454. Important Walmart Disclaimer: Proper service and repair procedures are vital to the safe, reliable operation of all motor vehicles as well as the personal safety of those performing the repairs and those riding in the motor vehicles. Standard safety procedures and precautions (including use of safety goggles and other safety equipment, proper tools and equipment) should be followed at all times to limit the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.  Personal injury could result from the failure to take adequate safety precautions when repairing or maintaining your vehicle. 

Although this material has been prepared with the intent to provide reliable information, no warranty or representation (express or implied), including the warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, is made as to its accuracy or completeness. Neither is any liability assumed for loss or damage of any kind resulting from reliance on this material and Wal-Mart shall not be liable for any loss or damage of any kind resulting from reliance on this material.  Users employ the information contained in this material at their own risk.  This material is provided only as a helpful guide and does not replace the information and instructions contained in the motor vehicle's owner's manual and product manufacturer's recommendations.  Users are cautioned to consult the motor vehicle's owner's manual and product manufacturer's recommendations for additional information and instructions.   Failure to follow the motor vehicle's owner's manual and the product manufacturer's recommendations could result in damage to your vehicle or personal injury.