Often, people will ask if their AC needs to have it's refrigerant refilled but is it really that prevalent of an issue? Well the short is no. ACs run on a closed system, meaning that the refrigerant is encased in copper tubing and pumped through the system continuously. The biggest thing to remember is that your refrigerant is not like the gas in your car. Under most conditions refrigerant should last the lifetime of your unit. That being said there are a couple of situations where your refrigerant may degrade and need to be refilled.
1. A leak in the system
The most obvious reason you may be losing refrigerant is a leak somewhere in the system. Normally we see this issue with faulty compressors or the copper being damaged by pets. If you do suspect a leak, it's crucial that you shut the unit down and do not run it before its checked out by a professional to minimize further damage.
2. Clogged filter
The next most common issue is clogged filters. When your filter gets to dirty, your system ends up working much much harder then necessary. When this happens it can cause degradation to the refrigerant among other damage to your system. This is why we recommend you change your filter every 3 months.
3. Clogged coils
The coils are lined with the fins you see running the outer edge of your condensing unit outside and the evap coils are located in the cabinet either below or on top of your furnace/air handler. When these coils are clogged by dirt, grease, or (a very common material) plant material, it causes the same issues as a clogged filter. The condensing unit can be cleaned with your hose on a gentle setting. Be careful while doing this as to much pressure can bend the fins on the coils and cause damage to the system. The evap coils should not be cleaned by anyone but a professional as it can be dangerous to you and your unit.
Under these circumstances it is possible your system may need to be charged. If you believe your AC is struggling please call Royal Electrical at (719) 546-0442 and we can schedule you as soon as possible for a service technician to come out and diagnose the issue.
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