The vast majority of HVAC equipment uses freon called freon. Not all refrigerants are exactly freon, but these concepts are considered synonymous. Freon is a heat carrier, as well as a kind of lubricant for the compressor located in the outdoor module.
The name Freon was introduced by DuPont Corporation more than 100 years ago. Until now, without this substance, the operation of refrigerators and air conditioners is impossible. Attempts to create freon-free air conditioners have so far yielded few results. Almost all versions of experimental air conditioners are inefficient and energy-consuming.
How to find out the amount of freon in the air conditioner
The standard split system is two modules: external and internal. Between them, a freon route is laid from copper tubes filled with refrigerant. The volume of freon in the air conditioner depends on the power of the compressor and the length of the cold track, so no specialist can name the exact number.
In the factory, the equipment is charged with refrigerant based on the route length from 3 to 5 meters, so the route needs to be laid at least 3 meters, if it is longer than 5, the unit should be refueled. On average, about 15 grams of freon per meter of track. The manufacturer notifies you how much freon is in the air conditioner using the information table located on the case. In the weakest models it can be 90 grams, in powerful split systems up to 600 grams.
The amount of freon in the air conditioner may decrease, as the refrigerant evaporates through the leaky fastenings of the route. The filling of the route is carried out only after installation and evacuation of the system. This procedure is carried out by specialists, since it requires special skills and the availability of equipment.
The volume of freon in window-type air conditioners is constant. The track is filled with refrigerant at the factory and sealed there sealed. Refueling is necessary only after compressor repair.
The amount of freon for refueling
The exact amount of refrigerant is important for the correct and safe operation of the device. If there is insufficient or excessive amount of freon in the system, critical conditions occur under which compressor damage is possible. An excess of freon is more fatal for the air conditioner than its drawback: the system was charged and everything should work well, but the device stops turning on. When checking, it turns out that the compressor is damaged by water hammer due to improper refueling and needs to be replaced.
Signs of excess Freon:
- Excess refrigerant in the air conditioner reduces the performance of the device. If after refueling the split system does not work well, it is turned off and another master is invited - from a specialized service.
- The pressure in the evaporator is increased, because Freon cannot completely get into it, and half of the substance is in the condenser.
- The gas entering the condenser is not cooled sufficiently, which increases the pressure in the condenser.
The compressor fails for two reasons:
- Due to damage to the electric motor of the compressor at high current, which increases with increasing condensation pressure.
- Due to water hammer, when excess refrigerant enters the compressor.
Determine the amount of freon by looking at the manufacturer's instructions and recommendations. Some types of refrigerants have a higher pressure during operation, so they charge less material.In this, non-professional masters are most often mistaken, therefore it is better to deal with specialists who have extensive experience.
How to find out about an insufficient amount of freon
If the volume of refueling the air conditioner has decreased, this is noticeable by the following signs:
- frost forms on the indoor unit;
- traces of ice are present on the outdoor unit;
- there are traces of oil on the pipes;
- the performance of the device is noticeably reduced - with the settings, some indicators, on the thermometer in the apartment - others.
Freon leakage occurs for several reasons. The air conditioner vibrates during operation, and the vibrations create the conditions for the divergence of welds on copper pipes. If the tubes themselves are poorly sealed during installation, cracks form.
It is most difficult to identify the place of leakage, especially if the highway is laid in gates and covered with a layer of plaster. If the length of the trunk is small, and the indoor and outdoor units are located nearby, it will be easier for the wizard to disassemble the system and troubleshoot. For such work, it is advisable to immediately call the repair team, since it is difficult to diagnose and refuel without special equipment - there is a risk of completely disabling the equipment.
At the first sign of icing, the air conditioner is turned off and the craftsmen called.
Before the arrival of the master, it is advisable to clean the indoor unit from dust and dirt, because the decrease in the system’s work is due to the sticking of a layer of dust and grease on the strainer, as a result of which the air flow is not sufficiently effectively sucked in.
Before starting the test with a manometric manifold, a specialist will clean the external unit and only after cleaning will it check if there is a freon leak in the air conditioner.
Freon-free air conditioning
In Ukraine, a group of engineers from the air technology center has created a climate system that has no analogues in the world market. An air conditioner in which air acts as a refrigerant is much cheaper in energy costs, while air is the most affordable substance. Compared to conventional household systems that drive air from the VKS room — an air-conditioning system — it is able to ventilate rooms constantly. This makes it possible to install such a system in large centers - sports, entertainment, for which there are special standards for the amount of fresh air per hour per person.
The absence of freon or any lubricants makes such a system environmentally friendly.
Temperatures at which the device is capable of operating range from minus 50 degrees to plus 50. In winter, in heating mode, the system draws cold air into the atmosphere. In summer, warm masses are used for simultaneous free heating of water in the pool, showers. This reduces costs by 3 to 4 times.
Advantages of videoconferencing:
- quick installation;
- cheap repair;
- small dimensions and weight of the structure;
- the required temperature is reached as soon as possible;
- the quality of the system does not depend on the ambient temperature.
Air-conditioning system allows you to take into account all standards of air quality in the room and its ozone safety.
