Refrigerant is one of the most misunderstood — and most misused — topics in the HVAC industry.
First, some truth.
Your air conditioner does not consume refrigerant. If your system is low, there is a leak somewhere. Just adding more without finding and fixing the leak is a band-aid, not a repair.
Some contractors use refrigerant as a scare tactic, telling homeowners R-22 is completely unavailable and they need a whole new system immediately. That’s not accurate. R-22 is no longer manufactured, but it is still available. It’s expensive — but it can be sourced. If someone says you must replace your entire system because of R-22, get a second opinion.
Signs your system may be low on refrigerant:
- Air from vents isn’t as cold as it used to be
- The large copper line going into your outdoor unit feels warm instead of cold
- Ice is forming on copper lines or the indoor coil
- Your home takes much longer than usual to cool down
- Higher electric bills with no change in usage
What about the new refrigerants?
The industry is transitioning from R-410A to R-454B and R-32. In my field experience, R-454B performs better than R-410A, though not quite at the level of old R-22. R-32 is a single-component refrigerant rather than a blend, which makes it easier to work with when topping off a system. Both are solid choices for Northern Utah homes.
By Gregg DeMille, owner of Timber Creek Services in Farr West, Utah.
Need help with this? See AC Repair or call or text (801) 832-5302.