Do you ever think about the refrigerant in your air conditioner? Chances are if you’re an average homeowner, you don’t! However, it actually plays a very important role, as without the right amount in your system, your air conditioner simply can’t do its job.

To ensure that your air conditioner is in its best working condition and that it operates correctly for years to come, you should know the basics of how it functions. Read below to learn more about the vital role that refrigerant plays in your air conditioner, and possible problems that can arise.

What Refrigerant Is

Most homeowners assume that refrigerant is a single fluid. However, it’s actually a combination of various heat transfer fluids which are used in all air conditioning and heat pump systems. Your air conditioner’s refrigerant runs between two units of your air conditioner: the inside unit and the outside unit.

Another component within your air conditioning system is the evaporator coil. The function of this coil is to evaporate the refrigerant to absorb heat from the surrounding area. For a traditional central air conditioner, this would be the heat in your home. However, if you have a heat pump system then this process can be reversed to siphon heat from the outdoors during winter.

After evaporation, the refrigerant gas is sent down the line to the outdoor coil, where it condenses back into a liquid. At this point, heat is either released into or out of the home depending on what type of system you have, helping your AC to function more efficiently.

Possible Issues

The biggest problem you can encounter in regards to refrigerant is a leak. Despite what most homeowners believe, air conditioning systems do not consume refrigerant. Instead, they recycle it during their day-to-day operation. If a leak does occur, your AC system will be drained of the fluid it needs to operate. This will cause both a decline in AC efficiency as well as a system breakdown if left for too long.

For quick and quality AC repair services in Lakewood, CO from a technician who’s in your neighborhood today, contact APC Plumbing & Heating!