How long should freon last in ac unit

Q: How often do you need to add Freon to a central air conditioning unit?

Never. You shouldnt have to add” refrigerant to a central air conditioner because it doesnt use up” refrigerant. The only reason you would ever need to recharge (that is, add refrigerant to) your A/C is if you have a leak; once the leak is fixed, the problem should be solved.

Highlights

Older model appliances often utilize Freon as a refrigerant.
Table of Contents Show
You’ll find Freon in air conditioners and refrigerators.
Freon leaks are not common, so there are a few signs to watch out for.
Professionals utilize a few different methods to help diagnose a Freon leak.

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You likely don’t give much thought to the inner workings of the appliances in your home. Most people take for granted that icy air blows when they turn on the AC or that the milk in the refrigerator always stays cold enough.An important component of these conveniences is Freon, a refrigerant designed to help keep things cool. But Freon is also susceptible to occasional leaks, leading to other potential issues.

What is Freon?

Freon is the registered brand name of liquids and gases used for refrigeration purposes. Air conditioners, refrigerators, chest freezers, and dehumidifiers use Freon. A 25-pound canister of Freon costs $75 to $175 per pound, and most systems need 6 to 15 pounds.

Note that this is a powerful coolant; let a certified technician handle Freon. It is also a substance that is being phased out, and the EPA began banning the use of Freon in new appliances in January 2020. New AC units use R-410A refrigerant, which costs about $3 to $8 per pound.

How Does Freon Work?

Depending on the appliance or unit, Freon works in a few different ways:

Air Conditioners

Air conditioning systems contain a compressor, which compresses Freon gas and increases its temperature. The gas then moves into the AC coils, cooling it into a liquid form. The cooled Freon then absorbs the heat from the outside air and pushes the cold air out to cool your home. Don’t ignore possible freon issues, as the leaks can still occur even if your AC is off.

Refrigerators

Freon attaches to the compressor line in a refrigerator and then pushes through the coils. Refrigerators work by causing the coolant circulating inside them to change from a liquid into a gas. This evaporation process cools the surrounding area and keeps the refrigerator air at the desired temperature.

How Long Does Freon Last?

Freon in a normal AC unit should last 10 to 20 years. Your system should not lose more than a pound every few years or more; many systems go their entire life without needing the addition of gas.

How to Know if You Have a Freon Leak

Photo: JJ Gouin/ Adobe Stock

Air conditioners and refrigerators offer a few telltale signs if they aren’t working properly. These are some possible indicators of a freon leak:

Air Conditioner

Warm air: If the vents in your house are blowing warm air, there may be a leak
Unusual noises: Hissing or bubbling sounds can indicate a Freon leak
Frozen coils: Frozen evaporator coils can signal a leak issue

Refrigerator

Musty smell: Any new, unusual musty smells may be a sign of a Freon leak
Residue: Visible residue on the floor around the fridge may be Freon that has leaked out
High temps: Fridge temperatures reading higher than normal

How Long Does It Take for Freon to Leak Out?

Depending on the appliance's age, the size of the hole, and the amount of coolant in the unit, it can take 30 minutes to six hours for Freon to leak out of an AC or refrigerator. Because AC units and refrigerators are closed systems, their freon should last quite some time, unless there is a leak. If your appliances aren’t performing as well, or you notice higher temperatures, there is likely a leak somewhere that needs attention.

How to Detect a Freon Leak

An AC inspection by a professional HVAC tech will cost anywhere from $50 to $200. Freon likes are the most common evaporator coils, but they can also occur in valves, “U” connectors, or the copper lines and tubing.

When calling in a professional to investigate a potential Freon leak, they may detect in one of a few different ways:

Bubbles: Soapy water is applied to the suspected Freon leak and will bubble up if there is a leak
UV dye: A tech will add ultraviolet dye to the refrigerant, which will light up in any detected leaks
Electronic detector: A calibrated device will detect any leaks; this is a highly accurate method

As the weather gets warmer, the need for air conditioning is becoming an absolute necessity to stay comfortable at all times. To ensure that you’re always cool, it is necessary to properly maintain your HVAC system. Your system will need to be inspected, tuned up, and parts will need to be replaced. One thing that many homeowners wonder is how long their central AC refrigerant will last. Here is an overview, which explains the answer to this common question.

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How Long Does Refrigerant Last?

Contents

1 How Long Does Refrigerant Last?
2 Refrigerant Leaks
- 2.1 How To Prevent Leaks
- 2.2 Central Air Conditioning Repair Somerville NJ

In most cases, refrigerant in a central air conditioning should last for the life of the system. As long as your HVAC system is kept in good working order, you should never have to worry about replenishing it. Central air conditioning systems are sealed, which prevents any coolant from escaping. The refrigerant is simply reused over and over again.

Refrigerant Leaks

In other cases, the amount of time your AC coolant will last depends on various factors. First of all, if your HVAC system has not been inspected and isn’t in good condition, it could develop a leak. If a leak is present, the refrigerant will simply leak out as soon as it is replaced. So, the coolant will last no more than a few weeks to a few months, depending on the severity of the leak. There may also be more than one leak, which could cause the refrigerant to disappear sooner.

As your system ages, leaks become almost inevitable, unless you’re meticulous about upkeep. The sooner potential leaks are found, the less money you’ll lose replenishing coolant. However, when you fail to have an HVAC professional find and repair your leak and you simply add more coolant instead, you will quickly lose money. This is because the system’s coolant will become depleted in a short period of time.

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How To Prevent Leaks

There are ways to prevent leaks in your system. Aside from having it inspected and serviced every year, there are other precautions to take. One is to enclose your unit inside a fence. This will keep animals away from the unit, as animals could cause damage. It is especially important to keep dogs away from your unit, because if they urinate on or near the unit, damage could ensue. Dog urine is acidic and could potentially disintegrate the coils of your AC unit. This situation leads to leaks and other potentially costly damage.

Another way to prevent, or at least minimize leaks, is to invest in a unit with aluminum coils as opposed to copper. Extensive research has been performed on the longevity of both materials. It was discovered that aluminum has the ability to withstand the corrosion that can occur as a result of formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is present in HVAC systems. On the other hand, copper corrodes much faster. Corrosion can wreak havoc on your unit, and of course the more corrosion that is present, the more holes you will have. The more holes you will have, the more the coolant will leak out, preventing your system from properly cooling your home or office.

Central Air Conditioning Repair Somerville NJ

Not everyone can afford to upgrade their AC systems if their current system has copper or may have leaks. Yet, as long as you properly care for your system, you can drastically decrease your chances of ever having to replenish your refrigerant. This means you need to have your air conditioner serviced by an AC professional every spring. Central air conditioning system refrigerant is supposed to last for the lifetime of the system. Therefore, keeping your unit in tip-top condition will ensure that you will never have to waste money replacing lost refrigerant.

Skylands Energy offers affordable and trusted air conditioner services including tune-ups, air conditioning repairs, and other HVAC services. Be sure to contact us today to speak with one of our specialists.

We service Bound Brook NJ 08805, Bridgewater NJ 08807, Flagtown NJ 08821, Hillsborough NJ 08844, Manville NJ 08835, Martinsville NJ 08836, Middlesex NJ 08846, Pluckemin NJ 07978, Raritan NJ 08869, Somerville NJ 08876, South Bound Brook NJ 08880, Zarephath NJ 08890, and surrounding areas.

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How often do you need to add Freon to a central air conditioning unit?

Never. You shouldn't have to “add” refrigerant to a central air conditioner because it doesn't “use up” refrigerant. The only reason you would ever need to recharge (that is, add refrigerant to) your A/C is if you have a leak; once the leak is fixed, the problem should be solved.

Can AC lose Freon without a leak?

The short answer is, no. Air conditioners and heat pumps do not lose refrigerant due to hard use after a hot summer season or over the course of time. The Freon, or refrigerant, is only the medium used to transfer heat from the inside of the home to the outside.

How do you know if your AC needs Freon?

How to Know If Your AC Needs Freon.

The AC runs constantly without cooling the house..

The air from your vents isn't cold..

You have abnormally high energy bills (because the system runs continuously..

There's ice on the refrigerant lines..

Bubbling or hissing sounds happen when the AC isn't running..

How often does Freon need to be replaced?

Most AC systems can last around five years without a Freon top-up, unless you live in a very hot climate. Freon is a kind of refrigerant that is recirculated in your vehicle in a closed system to cool down the interior. So, your car won't really run out of Freon since it is reused inside the sealed system.