The refrigerant, a chemical compound, plays a crucial role in the efficient operation of an HVAC system. You might have heard technicians often say: “Your HVAC needs a refrigerant recharge?” An air-conditioner has a non-flammable gas inside the copper coils. This is the refrigerant, which absorbs heat from the inside air of a commercial kitchen, restaurant, and other facilities that have HVAC systems installed. As the heat absorption begins, the low-pressure gas turns into a high-pressure liquid as it travels through compressors and evaporators. After its job is done, the liquid gets back to its gaseous form once again.
It is important to understand the role of HVAC refrigerant as well as the necessity to get the recharge to avoid other issues.
The Role of HVAC Refrigerant
The HVAC system for its functioning relies on refrigerant. In fact, the entire cooling process revolves around this chemical.
The role of refrigerant is to first go through evaporation and then condensation. First, the compressor takes the refrigerant to a high-pressure point. As a result of this raised pressure, the chemical compound condenses and releases heat outdoors. After this, the compound evaporates to absorb heat and then deposit it outdoors. New technologies have emerged to make this entire procedure much more efficient than ever before to deliver highly effective cooling results.
If the HVAC system in your facility doesn’t have the right amount of refrigerant, the AC will fail to effectively cool the property. So, it is important to keep the refrigerant level at a fixed amount at all times.
Types of Refrigerant Used in Air Conditioners
Not one type of refrigerant is used in all air conditioners. There are multiple types of refrigerants out there. The type of refrigerant you should use depends on the type or model of HVAC system you have installed. Many new refrigerants have replaced old types of refrigerants as well.
Some common refrigerants are as follows:
- Chlorofluorocarbons
- R22
- R410
It is never a good idea to replace one type of refrigerant with another. Recharging your HVAC unit with the wrong chemical compound can cause damage to the entire system. Since it is not possible to interchange refrigerants, you should always pay attention to the type of refrigerant you need. An easy way to find the type of refrigerant your HVAC system uses is to read the large sticker on the compressor or the evaporator of the unit. Each refrigerant has its own specific benefits and unique features in terms of efficiency, air quality, comfort, etc.
Signs Your HVAC Needs a Refrigerant Recharge
The refrigerant is not there to be consumed by the system. In fact, the HVAC unit keeps on cycling the same quantity of refrigerant for an unlimited period of time – until the entire system breaks down.
However, a recharge will be required in the event of a leak. If the HVAC technicians say your heating and cooling unit needs a refrigerant recharge, this is a major sign that there is an issue with the system. That is why the technician will first identify the location of the leak, repair it properly and then go ahead with recharging the chemical so that it doesn’t leak again. To find out whether it is time for a recharge, you should keep an eye on the warning signs.
Signs your HVAC needs a recharge to include:
- The AC doesn’t cool the facility properly
- Vent hoods are blowing warm air
- Energy bills have gone up
- The refrigerant line has ice deposits
- The refrigerant lines make a hissing sound
If you are running a restaurant, commercial kitchen, cafeteria, or another facility, you should always pay serious attention to the performance of the HVAC system. As soon as you spot any issues or signs, you should seek the help of a professional agency such as Hood Builder in Denver, Colorado. Our company specializes in the installation, repair, and maintenance of a wide range of HVAC systems to help businesses have a smooth and hassle-free operation.
There are multiple reasons your HVAC refrigerant can call for a recharge. If there is a leak, it could be due to the inefficiency of one of the components of the compressor. The system may have other issues which can cause the refrigerant to leak and not function in an effective manner.
What You Should Do
If you think refrigerant is leaking, you should never try to fix the problem yourself. It is the job of experts, and you should reach out to professionals for immediate help and solution to the problem.
Before HVAC technicians arrive, you should:
- Switch off the air conditioner
- Turn the thermostat fan on for 2-3 hours
- Get in touch with technicians
All refrigerant issues must be handled by only certified professionals. Not only is fixing the problem on your own risky, but it is also against the safety laws and regulations. Whether it is a leak repair, removal of old refrigerant, or recharging with new refrigerant, all of these must be carried out by an expert, who is qualified and certified to do the job in accordance with the law. Licensed and trained HVAC technicians will quickly identify the exact problem with the HVAC refrigerant. They will fix the problem correctly, replace the refrigerant safely and handle the equipment in a risk-free manner and restore the right level of refrigerant.
Talk to an Experienced HVAC Technician
It is essential to maintain the operational efficiency of the HVAC system in your food facility, restaurant, or kitchen. If you suspect the refrigerant is leaking, you should get in touch with trained technicians without any delay. Ignoring such issues can take a toll on the entire HVAC unit and lead to costly repairs. At Hood Builder, we have a highly experienced team of HVAC technicians who will quickly get to the bottom of the issue you have with your system. If you have a question or need expert help in regard to refrigerant leaks repair, refrigerant recharge, you should reach out to our specialists for your free consultation.
You can give our Denver office a quick phone call or send us an email using the contact form on our website.
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