Updated at: 02-08-2022 - By: Sienna Lewis

Is your window unit not producing sufficiently cold air? You don’t think the air is as crisp as it used to be, do you? So, if you want to keep cool in the summer, you’ll need to know how to maintain a window air conditioner and recharge it. Reasons why we think this way are listed below.

If your air conditioner suddenly stops blowing cold air, it may have a leak in its closed-loop system. Warm air can no longer be cooled since the refrigerant, the only material capable of doing so, has leaked out. Air conditioner performance will suffer until you refill it.

Window Air Conditioner

In a middle-class neighborhood, window air conditioners are a standard fixture in the homes of above-average households. Typical installation locations for this type of air conditioner are near window level in the walls of homes.

How to Recharge a Window Air Conditioner? – A Proper Guide

The window air conditioner looks like a prism and is mounted on the wall of the room. This air conditioner, unlike most others, needs to be able to draw air from both the interior and exterior of the space.

What Is Freon?

Freon, often known as R-12 or CFC-12, is a popular refrigerant used in many home appliances. Historically, it has been widely used in air conditioning systems, but its use is now being phased out. Inhaling freon can cause serious health problems for humans, so handling this refrigerant requires extreme caution.

Freon is the refrigerant of choice for the purposes of this piece. The article below will instruct you on how to add freon to your window air conditioner in a secure and efficient manner. How can you refill a window air conditioner with freon, then?

How To Recharge A Window Air Conditioner

Before we go into the nuts and bolts of how to recharge your window air conditioner, you should check to see if it’s legal to do so in your area. To a large extent, states do not.

So, we advise you to look into the laws of your area and formulate a regulation that will let you give this a try. In order to avoid infringing any rules, you should verify that recharging your air conditioner is legal before doing so.

1. Get The Necessary Supplies

You’d need the following items to refill your window AC unit:

  • You’d need the following items to refill your window AC unit:
  • For your window air conditioner to be fully functional, you will need the following:
  • Screwdriver
  • Detector of Leaks
  • Refrigerant
  • Kit for using Freon refrigerant

2. Unplug The Unit

Simply pulling the plug on a window air conditioner is enough to turn it off, in contrast to the much more involved process of turning off a central air conditioner. They can be disassembled and their inner workings inspected after being unplugged from power.

3. Wear Personal Protective Equipment

Wear the gloves and goggles provided before continuing. Toxic Freon is used as the refrigerant you will be replacing. Cold addition, it is cryogenic and can result in frostbite if it comes into touch with unprotected flesh. Please, then, take all the safety measures you can.

How To Recharge a Window Air Conditioner Unit – HVAC How To

4. Open The Window AC Unit

Most ancient window air conditioners’ inner workings are exposed by simply sliding the front ends out of the way. Some, especially newer models, will require the use of a screwdriver to disassemble. Reading the owner’s manual of your device will tell you how to properly operate it.

5. Check For Leaks

How to Detect Leaks: Several Different Approaches

  • To use soap, combine equal parts liquid detergent and water. Turn on the system after applying it to the valves, hoses, and pipes involved in the transmission of the refrigerant. The bubble formation can be monitored to locate the leak.
  • Leak detectors should be activated by covering their exposed outside areas to prevent drafts. A leak can be found by activating the detector and moving the probe close to the outdoor condenser unit. Depending on the type of leak detector, an audible or visible signal (or both) will be produced if a leak is present.
  • Only trained professionals should attempt the use of nitrogen. It entails pressurizing the unit with nitrogen, sealing any valves leading to upstream or downstream equipment, monitoring the pressure at the outset, and finally measuring the pressure a few minutes later. An obvious drop in pressure indicates a leak.
  • Fluorescent dye allows even amateurs to get good results. A little amount of fluorescent dye is injected into the system and the light is turned on. Thereafter, the dye travels with the refrigerant and collects at all potential leak locations. Locating the source of a leak is as simple as using a leak detection flashlight or UV lamp (it will be glowing).

6. Fix The Leak

There is no need to repair your unit if the leak is very slow; simply “boosting” the system will be enough to make up for the lost refrigerant. However, if the leak is rapid, the region through which the refrigerant is escaping may need to be soldered back together.

7. Connect The Valves To The Compressor

If you have trouble finding the compressor or the two lines that lead to it, consult the user manual for your machine. After that, connect the service valve in your toolkit to the compressor’s line. Ideally, the compressor would still have a single, unused outlet. fasten it to the tap’s valve. In your Freon kit, you’ll find both of these valves.

8. Connect The Valves To The Freon Kit

Freon kits typically include a graphic that shows you how to attach the two valves (service and tap) to the Freon container. Using this diagram, you can determine where to place the Freon tank or any refrigerant tank in relation to the two valves.

Final Step: Recharge Your Window Air Conditioner

To prevent any leaks, double check all connections to ensure a tight seal. Then, activate the air conditioner in the window and turn it up to maximum. Now that the Freon tank is connected to the air conditioner via the service and tap valves, the refrigerant will begin to flow from the tank into the unit.

Air Conditioner Safety & Freon Leaks : Air Conditioning - YouTube

To find out how much Freon your unit needs, see the handbook. When the Freon tank’s indicator reads “full,” turn off the machine. Turn on the air conditioner after disconnecting it from the wall, then opening the service and tap valves.

Conclusion

To summarize what we have said by now, it is illegal in most parts of the country for an unlicensed person to recharge their window air conditioner. However, even if you’re allowed by law to legally power up your unit, consult a professional if at any point you have hit a snag.

To recap, without proper certification, recharging a window air conditioner is against the law across the United States. However, if you run into any problems, it’s best to go to a pro even if you’re within your rights to turn on the electricity.