The short answer to this question is, \u201cit shouldn\u2019t have to be.\u201d Your AC system is actually supplied with enough refrigerant upon installation to ideally last throughout its entire lifespan. Yet, our technicians still frequently get questions related to refrigerant. It\u2019s understandable that you would ask, and we\u2019re glad you did! It\u2019s important to understand the role that refrigerant has in your air conditioner, and why it would ever need to be refilled.<\/p>\n
Refrigerant is the fluid that basically enables your air conditioner to function. It serves as a central component of your system, and without it your air conditioner wouldn\u2019t be able to operate. When your AC system is in use, it evaporates the refrigerant to absorb thermal energy from the warm air being circulated through your ducts.<\/p>\n
Then, the hot refrigerant gas is sent down the refrigerant line to the outside unit. From there, the gas is condensed back into liquid in order to vent the heat out of your home. The air conditioner is consistently evaporating and condensing refrigerant to siphon heat out of your home and cool it.<\/p>\n
During your system\u2019s operation, refrigerant is never consumed, and that\u2019s why we said it should never have to be refilled. Rather, it\u2019s recycled back and forth to move thermal energy. So in ideal circumstances, your air conditioning system\u2019s initial refrigerant charge should be capable of lasting the system\u2019s entire life.<\/p>\n
The only time this is not the case is when a leak develops along your refrigerant line. If that occurs, then it will slowly drain the system of the fluid in needs to function. If you notice your AC system leaking any fluid, you should call for repairs right away. Otherwise, you don\u2019t have to worry about refilling your system\u2019s refrigerant levels.<\/p>\n