Many, if not most, electro-mechanical systems consume a fuel to work. Cars use gas, while many heating systems use oil, propane or natural gas. But when it comes to your air conditioner, the main chemical in the system – refrigerant – is not consumed. How, then, does it use refrigerant? Let’s take a look.
The Cooling Process
Air conditioners don’t just blow cool air over warm air; that is not how they cool your home. What they do is replace your warm air with cool air by first removing the heat and humidity from your living spaces and transferring it to the outside. In order to make this heat absorption and transfer happen, refrigerant is required.
Refrigerant is a chemical that easily changes states from a liquid to a gas and back to liquid, and these changes of state are completely dependent upon temperature. As such, it is easy to manipulate the function of refrigerant by changing its temperature. In a cool gaseous state, refrigerant absorbs heat; in a hot gaseous states, it releases heat, and as it does so, it turn into a cool liquid. These various states are a necessary part of the heat release/cooling process your AC system goes through as it cools your home. So, refrigerant isn’t consumed because it acts as a transfer agent as it cycles again and again through your air conditioning system.
When Do You Need a Recharge?
It isn’t unusual for your air conditioner to develop a refrigerant leak, and this is the most common reason your refrigerant would need a recharge. Only trained and certified experts can handle refrigerant, which is one of the reasons why it’s so important to hire an expert for any issues your AC may have with its refrigerant level.
Not sure if you have a problem with your system’s refrigerant? Call the pros at DB Heating & Cooling today and schedule an AC repair appointment for your home in Westwood, NJ.