What Is an AC Recharge?

Few things are more frustrating than your AC unit blowing warm air on a scorching day. Naturally, you want to get it fixed promptly to beat the summer heat. While there can be various reasons why an air conditioner stops producing cold air, sometimes the solution is as straightforward as scheduling an AC refrigerant recharge.

So, what is an AC recharge exactly?

An AC recharge, also known as AC refrigerant recharge, replenishes the refrigerant level in the AC system. This chemical compound absorbs heat from indoor air, cooling it before recirculation. Over time, ACs may develop refrigerant leaks, resulting in reduced cooling performance and warm air. A qualified HVAC technician measures the refrigerant level, identifies leaks, and adds the right amount of refrigerant for optimal cooling efficiency. Only licensed professionals should perform AC recharges for safety and compliance.

In this blog, we’ll explain how refrigerant works, how to detect leaks, and the reasons you might need an AC recharge. Keep reading for more information.

You might already know that AC systems use refrigerant to cool your home, but do you know how the process works?

Refrigerant is a thermal transfer substance used to remove heat from the air in your home and replace it with cooler air. Found in the unit's coils, refrigerant changes between liquid and gas form depending on its temperature. When heated by the warm air in your home, it turns into a high-pressure liquid pushed into the condensing coils outside, where a fan blows to cool it off. As it cools, it returns to a low-pressure gas form and fills the indoor evaporator coils so a fan can blow the cool air through your home. This process continues until the thermostat in your home reads the temperature you have set.

The refrigerant in AC units is contained within a closed system. This means there should be no way for this substance to escape from the coils that house it. If you've discovered your AC is blowing warm air because your refrigerant levels are low, there is a leak in the system, allowing it to escape. This means refilling the refrigerant will only be a temporary fix unless the leak is found and repaired. Finding the source of the leak should be part of the recharge service to prevent it from happening again. You can be sure this step is always covered when working with the George Brazil team since we insist on 100% satisfaction from all our customers.

In simple terms, a home AC recharge is the process of filling your refrigerant back to optimal levels. This must be performed by a certified HVAC technician trained to recharge AC units because it involves more than simply topping off the refrigerant you have.

The first step is to identify the source of any leaking and perform repairs so your refrigerant stays in the coils where it belongs. Then, old refrigerant and anything else that may have snuck into the system through the leak is cleaned out before being replaced with the exact amount of refrigerant your system needs to run efficiently. In the same way that low refrigerant levels can interrupt your AC's performance, overfilled coils can also pose issues for your system.

Calling someone to recharge the AC unit in your home is an important step to keeping you and your loved ones comfortable in the heat. Not only will your unit run better, but you'll also enjoy more reasonable energy charges and extend the life of your air conditioner by eliminating the issue, forcing it to work harder than it should. It also helps to have a professional inspect your HVAC system to see any signs of trouble ahead. That way, you can get on the schedule for George Brazil's AC repair service quickly. Once the service call is complete, your unit should be blowing cold again to keep your home at a more comfortable temperature.

Give George Brazil a call today. We've been servicing AC units in the community since 1955, and our 100% satisfaction guarantee always backs our work. Take advantage of our fast and convenient scheduling by calling us at (602) 842-0009 or by setting up your appointment below.