Filling the air conditioner with freon in Tbilisi

Refueling an air conditioner is one of the most common procedures for servicing HVAC equipment. Even with proper installation and a sealed route, freon gradually evaporates — about 5—10% per year. Therefore, every 2-3 years, the air conditioner requires refueling.

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Why do you need freon at all

Freon (refrigerant) is a working medium that transfers heat from a room to the outside. It circulates in a closed circuit: a compressor, a condenser, a throttling device and an evaporator. If the pressure or amount of freon decreases, the efficiency of the system decreases — the air conditioner starts to cool worse, the load on the compressor increases, and electricity consumption increases.

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Signs that the air conditioner needs to be refilled

• the air conditioner blows, but the air hardly cools;
• the outdoor unit works constantly and does not turn off;
• frost forms on copper tubes or fittings;
• there is an error in pressure or temperature (in models with an indication).

Why does the leak occur

Leaks are most often associated with installation problems: poor rolling, improper nut tightening torque. Sometimes the cause is mechanical damage to the track or vibration of the outdoor unit.

How does the refueling process work

1. Vacuuming the system.
2. A high vacuum (up to —760 mmHg) is created to remove moisture and air.
3. Freon filling.
4. Using a manometric manifold and scales, the refrigerant is supplied to the system — strictly according to the mass indicated on the outdoor unit's nameplate. When refueling, they also focus on operating pressure and condensation temperature.
5. Parameter control.
6. After the air conditioner is started, the suction and discharge temperatures and the evaporator temperature are checked.

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What refrigerants are used

• R-410A — classic freon, but is gradually leaving the market due to the high global warming potential (GWP = 2088).
• R-32 — modern, more energy efficient and environmentally friendly (GWP = 675), used in the new Midea, Gree, Panasonic models, etc.
• R-22 — Freon is outdated and banned in the EU, but it is still found in old systems.

Why you shouldn't fill it “by eye”

Some craftsmen serve freon without scales and without vacuum, focusing only on pressure — this is a gross mistake. The pressure depends on temperature and does not show the exact mass of the refrigerant. Excessive refueling overloads the compressor, while insufficient refueling impairs heat exchange.

Safety and ecology

Freons are not flammable (with the exception of R-32, which is slightly flammable at high concentrations), but they release toxic compounds when they come into contact with a flame. In addition, refrigerant leaks affect the climate, so they must be disposed of and refueled in accordance with regulations.

The result

Refueling an air conditioner is not just “adding freon”, but a complete procedure with diagnostics, vacuuming and accurate dosage. Proper refueling extends the life of the compressor and ensures efficient operation of the system.

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