How to Add Freon to a Window Air Conditiner Unit

Need to add refrigerant (Freon) to your window a/c? Follow my steps to find out for sure. It is not that difficult.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• R-22 refrigerant (freon)
• refrigerant charging manifold (chargeing hoses)
• Tap valve (also called piercing valve)
• Basic hand tools

1. Digital Thermometer First you need to determine if your window air conditioner actual needs Refrigerant (Freon), The easiest way to do this is with a thermometer. You need to find the temperature deferential or temperature split. Take the temperature of the room air going into the a/c by placing thermometer in front of the a/c, record that temperature, now place the thermometer in the coldest side of the air vent, and record the temperature of the air coming out. A good temperature split is 18-20 degrees. If the temperature split is higher than 20 degrees your unit needs to be cleaned, and below 18 degree deference the unit needs to be charged.
2. Tap Valve Window air conditioners do not have service valves so you will have to add a service or tap valve to the units suction line. You will need to first unplug the widow unit and take unit out of the window or remove the unit from the sleeve. Next find the suction line at the compressor. The compressor has two refrigerant lines soldered to it. A small diameter line and a larger diameter line. The larger of the two is the suction or low side of the refrigerant system. Take your tap valve and following the instructions in the box using the small allen wrench provided secure the tap valve to the suction line.
3. Manafold gage Now you can attach the low side hose of your gage, which is the blue hose on the side of with the blue compound gage, to your tap valve making sure the valve on your gage is turned off. Be sure to do this quickly so you do not purge any of refrigerant (Freon). Plug the unit in and turn the unit to high cool and wait about one minute. You may now attach the yellow hose to the refrigerant bottle, open the valve of the bottle and at the manifold loosen the hose shortly to purge the air from the line, very quickly. And now you can add the Freon to the unit. To be sure to add the right amount and not over or under charge the window air conditioner you can use an amp probe meter to check amps, or charge the unit to around 70 pounds to 72 pounds psig. Remove your hose close the valve on the bottle, and place the cap on the tap valve and replace the unit in the window. Done.

Tips & Warnings

• You may want to ware cloves to protect your hands from the refrigerant.
• You need to have an EPA certificate to purchase r-22 refrigerant (Freon)