How to Add Refrigerant to a Refrigerator

Keep your food cold by adding refrigerant.

Don't let the food in your refrigerator go bad--add refrigerant to keep it cool. Refrigerant, otherwise known as Freon, keeps the refrigerator at a cold temperature. Occasionally, refrigerant can leak and create a puddle of oil in the bottom of the refrigerator. If you are not licensed or certified to handle Freon, you may need to call a certified technician, as handling it can be hazardous. Adding refrigerant to a refrigerator requires special equipment and the purchase of Freon.

Things You'll Need

• Dry nitrogen vacuum
• Refrigerant can
• Charger hose

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Instructions

1. Unplug the refrigerator or disconnect the circuit breaker.

2. Pull the refrigerator out and locate the compressor. It's often on the back of the refrigerator toward the bottom and is the size of a football. Locate the access valve to the compressor. The valve is often T-shaped.

3. Vacuum the compressor system with a dry nitrogen vacuum pump.

4. Connect the refrigerant can to the access valve on the refrigerator. The refrigerant cylinder should screw onto the valve assembly.

5. Attach the charger hose from the refrigerant to the charging valve on the compressor. Invert the refrigerant so that none leaks into the lines. Purge air from the hose by slackening the hose connection and tightening the hose.

6. Open the charging valve on the compressor to allow the liquid to flow into the system. Add only the necessary amount of refrigerant. When in doubt, only add a small amount.

7. Close the compressor valve and the refrigerant can. Disconnect the refrigerant can from the compressor.

References

• Refrigerator Troubleshooting: Refrigerant Charging