The overwhelming majority of HVAC equipment runs on freons, called freons. Not all refrigerants are 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 coined by DuPont over 100 years ago. Until now, the operation of refrigerators and air conditioners is impossible without this substance. Attempts to create CFC-free air conditioners have yielded few results so far. Almost all variants of experimental air conditioners are ineffective and energy intensive.
How to find out the amount of freon in the air conditioner
At the factory, the equipment is charged with refrigerant based on the length of the route from 3 to 5 meters, so the route must be laid at least 3 meters, if it is longer than 5, the unit should be refilled. On average, about 15 grams of freon falls on one meter of the track. The manufacturer announces how much freon is in the air conditioner using the information table 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 fittings of the route. The filling of the line is carried out only after the installation and evacuation of the system. This procedure is carried out by specialists, as it requires special skills and equipment.
The volume of freon in window-type air conditioners is constant. The line is filled with refrigerant at the factory and sealed in the same place. Refueling is only necessary after the compressor has been repaired.
Freon amount for refueling
The exact amount of refrigerant is important for the correct and safe operation of the unit. With an insufficient or excess amount of freon in the system, critical conditions occur, under which damage to the compressor is possible. An excess of freon turns out to be more destructive for the air conditioner than its disadvantage: the system was refueled 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 it needs to be replaced.
- Excess refrigerant in the air conditioner reduces the performance of the unit. If, after refueling, the split system works weakly, 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 as well.
The compressor fails for two reasons:
- Due to damage to the electric motor of the compressor at high current, which rises as the condensing pressure rises.
- 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 higher pressures during operation, so they charge less substance. In this, non-professional craftsmen are most often mistaken, so it is better to deal with specialists who have extensive work experience.
How to find out about an insufficient amount of freon
If the volume of the air conditioner filling 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 conditions for the divergence of the welded seams on the copper pipes. If the tubes themselves are poorly sealed during installation, cracks will form.
It is most difficult to locate the leak, especially if the line is laid in grooves and covered with a layer of plaster. If the length of the line is short, and the indoor and outdoor units are located side by side, it will be easier for the technicians to disassemble the system and troubleshoot. For such work, it is advisable to immediately call the repair team, since it is difficult to carry out diagnostics and refueling 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 technicians are called in.
Before the arrival of the master, it is advisable to clean the indoor unit from dust and dirt, because the decrease in the operation of the system occurs from the adhesion of a layer of dust and grease on the mesh filter, as a result of which the air flow is not sufficiently sucked inside.
Before starting the check with the gauge manifold, the specialist will clean the external unit and only after cleaning will check if there is a freon leak in the air conditioner.
CFC-free air conditioner
In Ukraine, a group of engineers from the Air Technology Center has created a climate system that has no analogues on the world market. An air conditioner in which air acts as a refrigerant is much cheaper in terms of electricity costs, while air is the most accessible substance. Compared to conventional household systems, which drive air from a videoconferencing room through themselves, an air climate system 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 removes 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 - 4 times.
Advantages of videoconferencing:
- quick installation;
- cheap repairs;
- small dimensions and weight of the structure;
- the required temperature is reached in the shortest possible time;
- the quality of the system does not depend on the ambient temperature.
The air conditioning unit allows taking into account all indoor air quality and ozone safety standards.
