Why does an air conditioner need refrigerant?

Refrigerant carries heat from the indoor unit to the outdoor unit so your air conditioner can cool the room. It circulates in a closed system and is not used up during normal operation.

Diagnose Weak Cooling First

If cooling becomes weak, low refrigerant is one possible cause. Dirty filters or coils, restricted airflow, electrical faults, and other problems can produce similar symptoms. The system should be diagnosed before refrigerant is added.

A recharge may be needed if refrigerant has escaped through a leak. On split systems, one possible source is a flare connection that does not seal completely. Installation quality, vibration, corrosion, and damage to other components can all affect the system's ability to hold refrigerant.

There is no routine annual top-up schedule for a properly sealed system. Repeated recharging without finding the cause leaves the underlying problem unresolved.

Restoring the Correct Charge

Our technicians check the system, locate the source of refrigerant loss, and recommend the necessary repair. Once the problem is corrected, the charge must be restored using the refrigerant type and procedure specified by the manufacturer.

The nameplate and installation instructions provide the required charge information, including any adjustment for line length. The amount cannot be determined accurately from cooling performance alone.

AEL&L provides refrigerant diagnostics, leak detection, repair, and recharging when required. View our current service prices.