It’s hot. Even though winter has yet to arrive in full, the Midwest has seen temperatures not typically projected until the spring months.

Do you need to make sure the air in your home is working properly? What is air conditioning refrigerant, and how do you check it? Should you have it refilled before winter hits hard in the comforter and hot cocoa sense?

First, you need to know what the refrigerant does. After that, we can discuss how to check it and whether you need to replace it.

Keep reading to learn more!

What Is Air Conditioning Refrigerant? 

Air Conditioning Refrigerant is a chemical that helps to cool the air inside your home. A chemical that is used in air conditioning units to transfer heat from the inside of a building to the outside. The most common A/C refrigerant is Freon, which is a trademarked name for chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) compounds.

A/C units use CFCs because they have a very low boiling point, which means they can easily evaporate and cool the air inside a building. When the A/C unit is turned on, the refrigerant evaporates and transfers heat from the inside of the building to the outside, cooling the air inside.

What Are the Different Types of Air Conditioning Refrigerants?

There are three main types of air conditioning refrigerants: chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). CFCs were the first type of air conditioning refrigerant and were used in the early days of air conditioning. However, CFCs are now banned because they damage the ozone layer.

HCFCs were developed as a replacement for CFCs and are less damaging to the ozone layer. However, HCFCs are being phased out because they are still damaging to the environment. HFCs are the newest type of air conditioning refrigerant and do not damage the ozone layer.

How to Check the A/C Level?

As HVAC maintenance, check the A/C refrigerant, first, make sure the unit is turned off. Then, locate the A/C service port, which is usually located near the compressor. The service port will have a cap with a Schrader valve, which is similar to a tire valve.

To check the refrigerant level, use a refrigerant pressure gauge to attach to the service port. The gauge will have a needle that will move to indicate the amount of pressure in the system. If the needle moves into the red zone, this indicates HVAC problems that the system is low on refrigerant and needs to add more.

Read more on this article for more information about air conditioning systems.

Check It Regularly

It’s important to know what air conditioning refrigerant is and how to check it because it can impact your health and the environment. Too much or too little refrigerant can cause your air conditioner to work inefficiently or not at all.

You can check your air conditioning refrigerant levels yourself with a simple gauge, or you can hire a professional to do it for you.

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