How Do I Check My AC Gas Level at Home?
Enjoying the chilly breeze of the AC unit is an excellent way to spend the hot summer months. But all of a sudden, the AC starts producing hot air. One possible cause could be low refrigerant levels, which is also known as AC gas.
Although calling a trained HVAC technician is usually the best course of action for analyzing and fixing AC problems, there are several steps, which you can take at home to inspect the gas level of your air conditioner. This guide will assist you through the process.
How Does the Refrigerant Operate?
The refrigerant is a chemical that you will find in a cooling system, which can humidify and cool the air. It also comes in various types, but all of them operate in the same manner. During the refrigeration process, it switches from liquid to gas form instantly.
Apart from that, this chemical is also in high demand because of the following:
- Moderate density, when in liquid form
- Non-eroding
- High viscosity when in gas form
- The high heat of vaporization
Their huge demand forced their international market to acquire a valuation of $24.20 billion in 2023. The refrigerant levels of an AC unit display the overall amount of refrigerant in the cooling system. If the levels are much lower, the AC will not operate correctly. You can fix this issue by replacing the refrigerant.
Steps To Inspect The Gas Levels in Your Air Conditioner Unit
In this section, you will come across some measures that will enable you to Check your AC gas level easily and quickly:
Step 1: Inspect the AC Fan
You must begin the gas-checking work by checking on the AC fan. Once you switch on the air conditioner, the fan will start moving. If it doesn’t move, then the motor is damaged or is facing problems. Do not directly place your fingers or hand inside the fan. If there is an issue with the motor, please call the AC repair person to take care of it.
Step 2: Check For Hissing Noises
One way you can Check my AC gas level is by finding out whether or not the AC unit is making hissing sounds. When there is a huge leak in the coolant, it will make a hissing or bubbling sound, signaling the leakage of the refrigerant.
Step 3: Look at the Pressure
All air conditioners have pressure gauges, which exhibit the suction and discharge pressure. It also shows how low or high the pressure is. When the AC has no in-fitted gauge, you must take a peek at the suction and discharge pressure.
Step 4: Calculate the Subcooling and Superheating
It’s vital to estimate the subcooling and superheating correctly. To obtain the superheating, deduct the suction pipe temperature from the evaporation temperature. For the subcooling, deduct the condensation temperature from the discharge pipe.
So, what’s the outcome here? When the temperatures are within the 5000 and 10,000 range, the system will function at the correct gas level. If it doesn’t do so, get it checked by an HVAC repair person.
Step 5: Determine the Evaporation/Condensation Temperature
Refrigerants might have different condensation and evaporation temperatures and also at different pressures. This gets determined through a refrigerant slider. You should set the slider to “DEW” if you wish to control the evaporation temperature. For the condensation temperature, you can control it by setting the slider to “BUBBLE”.
Step 6: Inspect with the Soap Test
To Check my AC gas level, you should conduct the “soap test”. This method can help you detect leakage in the refrigerant. To perform this test, place water and soap in a place where you think there is a coolant leak. When bubbles start to form, it clearly shows that the AC’s refrigerant is leaking.
Step 7: Look for Leaks in the Coolant
Your air conditioner will not function correctly when there is a leak in the coolant. But you easily know if there is a coolant leakage because frost will start building up on the tubes, motor, and other parts of the AC.
It’s not easy to handle a coolant, so it will be ideal to contact a trained technician to take care of this problem. They have the skills, tools, and knowledge to resolve such problems quickly.
Step 7: Measure the Temperature on the Installation
If you want to check my AC gas level, you can do so by measuring the temperature of the installation. You should use the digital thermometer to conduct the measuring work. Begin with superheating, which you can measure on the suction. To measure subcooling, you can get it done before the expansion valve.
Why Should You Check the Refrigerant Level?
You must Check the AC gas level of the AC unit regularly to make sure it keeps up with your cooling demands. But monitoring the gas level of the air conditioner will provide you with the benefits mentioned below:
- It will help you avoid all the expensive AC-related repairs
- You can monitor the efficiency of the AC unit effectively
- Helps in detecting all the issues during the early stage
- Will let you know when the AC should be replaced
Final Thoughts
Inspecting the gas level of the AC unit will let you know whether or not the system is operating correctly. If the levels are low, it can cause unwanted issues to take place. This is where Smile HVAC comes in.
Using specialized tools and qualified specialists, we deliver expert refrigerant replacement services ensuring optimal performance. If your cooling system is experiencing any problems, don’t hesitate to reach out to our skilled team at (+1) 437-777-4555 or email us at drop us a mail at [email protected]. Feel free to visit our website to learn more about our benefits, protection plans, etc. for a comprehensive understanding of your AC issues.
