Many people wonder how their air conditioning system cools down their house. Homeowners should always have a general idea of how the equipment in their home works, including their AC unit.
Refrigerant has many uses. This chemical substance is used widely in the HVAC industry, primarily for air conditioners. This mixture is responsible for the cooling cycle of your system. This chemical is so particular that a technician needs to use refrigerant-handling equipment that is approved by the Environmental Protection Agency to handle it.
When you are looking for licensed and experienced technicians who understand the ins and outs of your heating and cooling equipment, call Skylands Energy. We offer fast and reliable services that can get your system performing optimally. We know what it takes to get your system to increase your comfort levels while decreasing your home heating or cooling costs. Some of our services include tune-ups, furnace and AC repairs, HVAC installations, and more.
You can count on our team of NATE certified technicians to provide you with excellent services at honest prices, including our air conditioner repair costs. Our technicians will be happy to assist you with all your heating and cooling needs. Call us today for a free estimate.
Air Conditioner Repair: What Your Refrigerant Does During The Cooling Cycle
Refrigerant plays a significant role in an A/C’s refrigeration cycle. This article will discuss this role. We aim to provide you with a deeper understanding of how an air conditioner cools your house down.
What A Refrigerant Does
As discussed above, refrigerant is vital for your air conditioner’s cooling cycle. It is a low-pressure gas that is stored inside the indoor copper coils of your system. Copper is the ideal when concerning heat transfer.
When the cooling cycle begins, the refrigerant and the copper coil absorb the heat from the air inside of your home. As the refrigerant’s temperature increases, it causes the coolant (which is in the form of gas) to turn into a liquid. The fans of your system then move the liquid refrigerant to the outside coils where the heat is released. As the heat is released outdoors, the coolant cools down and turns into gas once again. The cold air is pushed back inside, and the cycle repeats. A refrigerant is, therefore, vital for your home to feel cool and comfortable during the summer.
When To Replace Your Refrigerant
Ideally, your AC does not lose any coolant during the refrigeration cycle. Therefore, it is not necessary to replace your refrigerant. The refrigerant charge should stay the same throughout your air conditioner’s lifespan. Unfortunately, refrigerant leaks can happen.
Holes and tears in the refrigerant line can cause leaks. When a leak happens, it causes the refrigerant to lose its charge. Situations like this require a professional HVAC technician immediately. An expert has the knowledge and tools to repair the leak correctly. Furthermore, regular maintenance helps prevent a situation like a refrigerant leak from occurring in the first place.
Types Of Refrigerants
There have been various types, or blends of refrigerants, that have been used. Below are the three of the most recent ones:
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
CFCs is a blend that is made up of chlorine, fluorine, and carbon atoms. Types of CFCs include R-11, R-12, and R-15. Unfortunately, the Montreal Protocol banned the use of CFCs during the 90s. The reason is due to its harmful impact on the environment.
Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs)
HCFCs is a blend that is made up of hydrogen, chlorine, fluorine, and carbon atoms. Types of HCFCs include R-22, R-123, and R-124. Unfortunately, its use also destroys the ozone layer and contributes to global warming. Because of this, HCFC has been banned for use as well. Using HCFCs by 2020 is illegal. Many older AC units still use R-22.
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
HFCs is a blend that is made up of hydrogen, fluorine, and carbon atoms. Types of HFCs include R-134A, R-410A, and R-507A. Because the chlorine atom was removed from to form HFCs, consequently, the ozone-depleting properties of HFCs were also removed.
Importance Of Refrigerant
The use of refrigerant impacts our everyday lives. We use it in our air conditioners, refrigerators, and freezers.
Can you imagine going without refrigeration? The summers would be unbearable. With refrigerant, we can keep our food fresh for longer. Our cold refrigerators and freezers slow down the microorganism that causes our food to spoil.
Conclusion
If you are air conditioner troubleshooting and you notice that your system is leaking (a possible refrigerant leak), call a professional right away. They have the training, knowledge, and skills to fix your air conditioner. A technician will repair your AC to prevent the leak continuing, and then charge your system with the correct amount of refrigerant.
When you are looking for “air conditioner repair near me,” call Skylands Energy. We hire the best technicians in the area who understand what it takes to get your heating and cooling system working properly. We specialize in heating and cooling tune-ups, furnace and AC repairs, HVAC installations, and other home comfort needs. At Skylands Energy, we provide excellent and affordable services. After all, it is how we have earned our good name. Call us now. We offer free estimates.
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