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Adding Freon to a Central A/C

When your central air conditioning unit fails to cool, your first instinct may be to reach for the Freon. That is, if you can find it. Freon is now regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency because it is considered an extremely hazardous substance. Oftentimes, if your air conditioner is low on Freon, the low levels have been precipitated by a leak. So before restoring Freon to the unit, you may want to hire a heating and air conditioning specialist to inspect your central air conditioning unit.

Things You'll Need

  • Tap valve
  • Allen wrench
  • Manifold gauge
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Instructions

    • 1

      Connect a tap valve to the suction line on the air conditioner’s compressor. The suction line is the larger of the two lines attached to the compressor. Use an Allen wrench to tighten the tap valve to the suction line.

    • 2

      Attach the manifold gauge, through the low side hose of the gauge, to the tap valve. The hose is usually blue.

    • 3

      Connect the high side hose of the gauge to the smaller line of the compressor. This hose is generally red.

    • 4

      Turn the air conditioner on, and set it to the highest temperature setting. Allow the unit to run for one minute.

    • 5

      Attach the last hose of the manifold gauge to your container of Freon. This hose is typically yellow. Open the valves on the container of Freon, the manifold gauge and the tap valve.

    • 6

      Watch the manifold’s pressure gauge as the unit charges with Freon. The pressure gauge should peak at 40 to 50 pounds per square inch (psi).

    • 7

      Shut off the valve on the Freon when the pressure gauge has reached its maximum psi capacity. Turn off the manifold valve and the tap valve.

    • 8

      Disconnect the manifold gauge from the tap valve.

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Air Conditioners
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  2. How to Add Another Air Return to Central A/C
  3. A Water Leak in an A/C
  4. Freon Leaks in My Window A/C
  5. How to Block A/C Noise
  6. Central Air Conditioner Freon Leaks
  7. How to Seal an A/C Case
  8. What Kind of Freon Is in a House A/C?
  9. How to Solder A/C Lines
  10. How to Wire an A/C Fan
  11. How to Fix a Frozen Central A/C
  12. How to Clean an A/C Filter

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