HOW TO CHECK AIRCON GAS TOP UP AND REFRIGERANT LEVEL

Arthur Blaze | Aircon Services
31 Dec, 2024 | 7 min read

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Upon returning home after a demanding day, you are eager to relax on your couch and indulge in your favorite television program. You recline and set the air conditioning, yet you still feel uncomfortably warm despite the elapsed time. Air conditioners, like other appliances, can face various challenges, with cooling inefficiencies being the most common. When they are not operating at their best, air conditioners may either fail to provide adequate cooling or may not cool at all. A common reason for this issue is a low refrigerant level. Regularly checking the refrigerant in your system is vital for ensuring its efficiency and maintaining a comfortable environment throughout the year. Are you interested in learning how to check it? The process is easier than you might expect! By following a few simple steps, you can evaluate the performance of your air conditioning system and avoid potential issues down the line. Should you find that the refrigerant levels are low, it would be wise to seek the help of a professional who can assist with aircon troubleshooting.

WHAT IS REFRIGERANT AND HOW DOES IT WORK?

A refrigerant is identified as a fundamental substance that is integral to the operation of heat pumps and refrigeration cycles. In most air conditioning systems, the refrigerant is an organic compound known as Freon. During its operation in air conditioners, Freon evaporates at lower temperatures, absorbing heat from the indoor air, and condenses at higher temperatures outside the building. This cycle effectively cools the indoor air. Nevertheless, over time, Freon may leak from the air conditioning unit, which can significantly diminish its cooling capacity. Therefore, it is imperative to routinely monitor and replenish the refrigerant levels in your air conditioning system to ensure its optimal performance.

SIGNS OF LOW REFRIGERANT LEVEL

A deficiency in refrigerant levels may result in diminished cooling performance or a total lack of cooling. The following are critical signs that could indicate low refrigerant levels.

1. Increase In Energy Bills

An unanticipated rise in energy costs, especially in the absence of any changes within the home that could justify this fluctuation, may point to a refrigerant leak. Inadequate refrigerant levels in the air conditioning system compromise its efficiency in heat removal during cooling cycles, leading to extended operational periods. However, one must also be vigilant regarding other potential reasons for increased energy expenses, such as an obsolete air conditioning unit or dirty filters.

2. Hissing Noise

Should you detect an atypical hissing noise from your air conditioning system, it could indicate a refrigerant issue. Sounds like hissing or bubbling are often associated with the possibility of a refrigerant leak.

3. Frost Or Ice On AC

Insufficient refrigerant levels can lead to a drop in refrigerant temperature, potentially causing ice to develop on the evaporator coil or refrigerant lines. Moreover, unclean filters and obstructed vents may further contribute to the frost or ice accumulation on the air conditioning unit.

4. Short Cycling

Frequent and inconsistent activation and deactivation of your air conditioning system, occurring at intervals that do not correspond with the indoor temperature, serves as an indication of short-cycling.

If you are facing these challenges in conjunction with warm air moving through your home, it is prudent to consult specialists for aircon services in Singapore.

HOW TO CHECK REFRIGERANT LEVEL

In the event that you are unfamiliar with the methods for checking refrigerants, there is no reason to worry. We have compiled a straightforward set of instructions of everything you need to know about aircon gas top up that will assist you in evaluating your air conditioning gas levels from the comfort of your own home.

Confirm The Type Of Refrigerant

The type plate affixed to your installation contains this information. It provides essential details, including the number of circuits, the global warming potential, the number of plates, and the specific type of gas. For this procedure, you will require a digital thermometer, writing materials, and a refrigerant slider.

Check The Pressure

Typically, air conditioning systems are designed with pressure gauges that provide readings for discharge and suction pressures, as well as indicators for both high and low-pressure levels. Should your system not feature a built-in gauge, it is prudent to review the documentation to identify the discharge and suction pressure values.

Determine The Evaporation And Condensation Readings

Refrigerants exhibit differing evaporation and condensation temperatures at various pressures, a phenomenon that is impacted by the refrigerant slider. To identify the evaporation temperature, the slider should be set to 'dew', while for the condensation temperature, it is necessary to adjust the slider to 'bubble'.

Measure The Temperature

In the process of evaluating refrigerant levels, measuring the temperature variation between subcooling and superheating is of utmost importance. The preferred subcooling temperature is approximately 5 Kelvin (K), and the superheating temperature should ideally be around 10K.

Calculate The Refrigerant Level

After collecting all relevant data necessary for evaluating the temperatures associated with subcooling and superheating, one should proceed with the calculations. To calculate the superheating temperature, subtract the evaporation temperature from the suction pipe temperature. For subcooling, the calculation involves subtracting the discharge pipe temperature from the condensation temperature. If the refrigerant temperatures are outside the standard range of 10K to 5K, which is deemed optimal for efficient operation, this may indicate low refrigerant levels. It is advisable to consult an HVAC technician who can assess the refrigerant levels and recommend an aircon gas top-up in Singapore if necessary.

CONCLUSION

Familiarity with everything you need to know about aircon gas top-up is vital for ensuring optimal functionality and efficiency. Routine maintenance, accurate diagnostics, and timely gas refills can notably increase the lifespan of your air conditioning unit while providing improved comfort during the extreme heat of summer. Furthermore, it is essential to be aware of the environmental and safety ramifications linked to refrigerant gas management and to prioritize professional guidance in these matters.

In the realm of air conditioning gas filling services, Magic Build is regarded as a reputable and trustworthy provider. With significant experience in the repair and maintenance of a variety of air conditioning systems, they have emerged as the leading experts in the field, consistently delivering exceptional service and ensuring high levels of customer satisfaction. Magic Build is recognized as the preferred air conditioning service provider in Singapore, proficiently addressing all issues related to air conditioning for their clientele.

Feel free to contact us for your queries.

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