How to Charge a Home AC Compressor With R-22 Most homes with an air conditioning system manufactured before January 1, 2010 use R-22 as the refrigerant. The AC compressor circulates the refrigerant through the system's pipes, metering devices and coils. AC systems with a low R-22 charge do not perform at peak efficiency. In a clean and sealed system, an R-22 charge of less than 58 psi forms ice on the evaporator coil -- the inside coil. If the AC system has clean, leak-free coils, a clean filter and both fans operating at the correct speed, then charging an AC with the correct amount of refrigerant maintains peak performance. Turn on the air-conditioning system. Turn the thermostat to its coolest setting. Remove the caps covering the outside AC unit's R-22 refrigerant valves. These are found on the pipes entering the outside unit. Some valve covers twist off by hand, and some require an adjustable wrench. Screw an R-22 manifold gauge's left-hand hose onto the valve on the large refrigerant pipe.

Only charge an AC system with gauges designed for R-22, as stated on the left-hand gauge. Screw an R-22 manifold gauge's right-hand hose onto the valve on the small refrigerant pipe. Purge the air from the manifold's hoses. Open each manifold handle for one second. The air in the hoses will exit the manifold's middle hose. Screw the R-22 manifold gauge's middle hose onto a jug of R-22 refrigerant. Turn the R-22 jug upright, so its valve faces upward. Open the R-22 jug's valve. This keeps the liquid refrigerant away from the valve. Let the system's refrigerant pressures equalize. The needle on the left-hand gauge will stop falling, and the needle on the right-hand gauge will stop rising when the system has equalized. This can take from three to five minutes. Look at the psi reading on the left-hand gauge. If the gauge reads below 60 psi, then open the left-hand gauge's handle for 30 seconds. Allow the pressure to equalize. Repeat this until the psi reading reaches 60.

Allow the system to run for five minutes. Place a thermometer on the large refrigerant pipe 6 inches from the service valve. Take the thermometer's reading, called super-heat, once it has stopped dropping. auto ac repair in atlanta Find the refrigerant pressure that relates to the thermometer's reading.charging a ac unit If the manifold's left-hand gauge has a temperature scale next to the psi scale, then use it.cost of a hvac unit If not, then use a pressure/temperature chart -- called a P/T chart. Compare the super-heat reading to the gauge's psi reading. If the super-heat reading is more than 20 degrees above the P/T chart's reading, then add R-22 until the super-heating reading reaches the optimal range -- between 8- and 18-degree super-heat, depending on the environmental conditions.

Many technicians charge the system until it has a 12-degree super-heat; about 70 psi at 85 F. If the super-heat reading is below 7 degrees, then the system usually has an overcharge, a stuck metering device or a dirty coil. Close the R-22 jug's valve. Then disconnect all of the hoses, and replace the service valve caps. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: What You Should Know About Refrigerants When Purchasing or Repairing a Residential A/C System or Heat Pump High Performance HVAC: HVAC Refrigerant Pressure Temperature Chart Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Guide: Charging Air Conditioning Systems G&S Mechanical Services: How to Add or Charge Freon or Refrigerant to Your Air Conditioning Equipment You May Also Like The tools needed for charging a system with R-410A are different from those used for R22 charging. How to Use the... How to Charge a R-410A System. How to Change the Heat Pump From R22 to 410A. How to Check Refrigerant Charge....

If your home HVAC unit is not cooling properly, it may need to be recharged, which means you need to refill your... A vehicle owner who wishes to charge his air conditioning system ... How to Read R22 Gauges. Central air conditioning units ...... Part of the series: Car Air Conditioning Repair. What is the Proper Charge for a Car Air Conditioner? Car Air Conditioner... A refrigerant overcharge problem occurs when a technician puts too much refrigerant into the A/C system. It is essential for proper operation... 5 Small Entryway Decorating Ideas How to Find Out If I Am Low on AC Refrigerant How to Calculate Superheat and Subcooling About R22 Refrigeration Gauges How to Use C-manifold Gauges on Home Air Conditioning How to Calculate R-22 Low Pressure How to Clean the Evaporater Coil on Central ACool ideas for efficiency.Save energy in summer with cool tips to beat the heat. If you feel Michigan summers are too hot to handle, just imagine how hard they are on your cooling equipment.

DTE Energy helps to make sure your air conditioning is ready to go with a variety of purchasing and maintenance incentives to keep your cool during the hotter months. Sealing air leaks is one of the most affordable ways you can stop air from entering or leaving your home. How much could you save with a higher efficiency air conditioner? Use our air conditioning calculator. Water Heater Air Conditioning Appliance much could you save with a higher-efficiency Input your current furnace efficiency Select the efficiency level of your estimated annual gas bill. Compare annual heating costsExisting Calculations are based on estimates and are for comparison only. Compare water heating costs based on settings and How many people live in your of hot water used annually. Compare annual heating costsEnergy Factor Energy Factor .91 - Tankless Calculations are based on a 50 gallon tank and estimates are for comparison

Compare air conditioning costs based on seasonal Select the size of your air costsConventional Unit (13 SEER) estimates and can vary with temperature andHVAC tax credits are available. Replacing your air conditioning unit can save you up to $400. New cooling equipment can be 40% to 50% more efficient than units installed 20 years ago.* When you upgrade to energy-efficient units, you use less energy and save money on energy costs. Saving money on new energy-efficient air conditioning equipment is easy. Have a participating HVAC Contractor install a 14 SEER or higher central air conditioner in your home and you can receive a DTE Energy rebate. You can choose to upgrade your air conditioner only, or you can use your savings to complete a full cooling system upgrade. Information accurate at time of publication. Please note that funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Ask your participating contactor today how you can secure guaranteed funds with an HVAC Rebate Reservation.

DTE Energy Customer Eligibility Central AC SEER 14 to 14.99 SEER Central AC SEER 15 to 15.99 SEER Central AC SEER 16 to 16.99 SEER Central AC SEER 17 to 17.99 SEER Central AC SEER 18 to 18.99 SEER Central AC SEER 19 or greater ECM Motors factory-installed on new gas furnace only Diagnostic Air-Conditioning Tune-up Electric Wi-Fi-Enabled Thermostat (purchased before July 19) Electric and Gas Customers (one rebate per customer) Wi-Fi Enabled Thermostat (purchased after July 19) Programmable (non wi-fi enabled) Thermostat * All qualifying equipment must be installed by a participating contractor and must have a mechanical permit pulled, where applicable, by the participating contractor. All DTE Energy Electric residential customer account holders are eligible for a 14 SEER or higher central air conditioner rebate. Systems must be properly matched and rated according to the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) (applies to furnace, coil and condenser) to achieve the energy efficiency and longevity expected from the system.

Matched systems ensure that all components work together to reach the minimum program SEER ratings for qualification. Your participating contractor can help you confirm your eligibility. Search our Energy-Efficiency Directory to choose a participating contractor. These contractors have been trained to submit the online application for you and are required to obtain the proper permits before installation. If your contractor is not listed, they can inquire about becoming a participating contractor by emailing the DTE HVAC Program. Select your new equipment – Your participating contractor will help you determine which HVAC equipment qualifies for rebates and properly size the equipment for maximum efficiency. Install the equipment - Have your contractor install the equipment in your home. Sign the Terms and Conditions form - Provide the contractor with your DTE Energy Electric account number and sign the Terms and Conditions form that your contractor will provide. Your contractor will submit the completed application online on your behalf.

If you wish to receive updates about your rebate during processing, please give your email address to the contractor so they can enter it on the online application form. All applications must be received within 20 days of installation. Receive your rebate check - DTE Energy will process your completed application, and you will receive your rebate check within six to eight weeks. Even the best air conditioning equipment needs regular maintenance to help it run more efficiently and last longer. Receive a $75 rebate when you complete a DTE Diagnostic Tune-Up. The DTE Diagnostic Tune-Up goes beyond a standard tune-up. When you request this option, your participating HVAC contractor will use advanced diagnostic tools to evaluate your air-conditioning unit and make adjustments in order to return the equipment to peak operating condition. This will maximize its efficiency and reliability, can lower energy use costs, and ideally will extend system life. The system diagnostics provide a comprehensive look at how efficiently your system is operating.

With this knowledge, your contractor can tell you if your system is in good operating condition or if additional service, repairs or replacement are recommended to help you save energy and money. What is a DTE Diagnostic Tune-Up? Contractor performs maintenance of system and ensures the system is operating effectively. Contractor performs air flow, temperature, refrigerant charge and electrical readings. Contractor analyzes your system's operating capacity (efficiency) compared to the manufacturer's recommended capacity. Contractor provides feedback and recommendations.Ask your participating contractor today how you can secure guaranteed funds with an HVAC Rebate Reservation. Incentives are available for single-family homes, condos, or town homes with four or fewer units. Central Air-Conditioning diagnostic tune-up services for multiple pieces of equipment at the same address qualify for multiple incentives. The program is available to DTE Energy residential electric customers only.