How to Add R-22 to an HVAC Unit

Older HVAC units require R-22 refrigerant refill charges to keep the temperature running cool in your home. Over time, if you find that the air blowing from the unit is warm, you may need to add R-22 to your unit. Newer HVAC units no longer use R-22, as R-22 has been phased out for environmental reasons, but you can still purchase and use R-22 for your older HVAC unit.

Wrench
R-22
Refrigerant gauges with a blue, red and yellow line

Instructions

- 1
  Turn off the HVAC unit by flipping the electrical breaker switch to “Off.”
- 2
  Move to the outside unit and locate the two refrigerant lines on the unit. There is one big line and one little line. The tubes for the lines are noticeably different in size.
- 3
  Remove the cap off each of the two refrigerant line ports. You may need a wrench to help remove the caps.
- 4
  Connect the blue line of the gauge to the big line’s port, then connect the red line to the little line’s port. Twist the connector on the line to connect it to the port.
- 5
  Open the valves on the gauge by turning the nozzles, then turn the power back on to the unit. The unit should run for about 15 minutes to supply accurate gauge readings.
- 6
  Monitor the gauges. The blue line should begin to go down and the red line should begin to go up, if the unit’s compressor is operating properly. If the gauges do not change, you may need to repair the unit’s compressor. If the superheat reading on the gauge is high, you will add R-22.
- 7
  Read your HVAC’s owner’s manual to determine the appropriate temperature gauge reading.
- 8
  Attach the yellow line from the gauge to the can of R-22. The can should sit upright once the line is attached.
- 9
  Turn the nozzle on the gauge to allow the R-22 to flow to the unit. Keep an eye on the gauges, and turn the nozzle off every five minutes to monitor the gauge readings properly.
- 10
  Turn the nozzle off on the R-22 tank when the temperature gauge has the appropriate reading.
- 11
  Shut off the power to the HVAC unit, then turn the nozzles off on all of the gauges.
- 12
  Disconnect the gauges, replace the caps, then turn your HVAC unit back on.

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