Q: Is it possible for an HVAC technician to overfill an air-conditioning system with too much refrigerant (my system uses R-22)? For example, if the system needs two pounds, is it possible for the technician to force in, say, three or four pounds? If so, can this damage the A/C system or cause it to malfunction and stop cooling? My technician said my unit, which wasn't cooling well, was low and added six pounds at $100 per pound. I later learned it holds only six pounds of refrigerant. Just two days later, it stopped cooling well again.A: It is possible to overfill an air conditioner with refrigerant and, unfortunately, several problems can occur that could permanently damage the unit.To start, an overcharged air conditioning system will decrease both its efficiency and capacity to cool. As one highly rated heating and cooling technician on Angie's List said, it would be the equivalent of a 3-ton system operating at the capacity of a 2-ton system. When cooling demand is at its highest, the system likely won't be able to meet it.

Depending on how overcharged the system is, it's possible that it will stop cooling altogether.Another side effect is the potential to increase the temperature of the indoor coil, reducing the dehumidification of the indoor air; an important benefit of conditioned air. The air in your home will likely feel sticky or muggy as a result.The potential for the greatest amount of damage, though, is to the compressor. Overcharging the unit can cause permanent failure of the compressor, which is the pump for the refrigerant. Replacing the compressor can actually cost more than replacing the entire outdoor unit.Some air conditioner systems have an automatic shut-off if the internal circuitry determines the system has been overcharged, which could help minimize the damage. When this happens, though, the system will power down and must be reset and the overcharged refrigerant removed before it will power back on. So expect to still require the services of a technician if your system does automatically shut off.

The larger question here is why your technician added so much refrigerant to begin with. First off, if the technician suspected a leak, he or she should have performed a leak test before adding any R-22. As you likely know, the cost of R-22 refrigerant is rising quickly as it's in the midst of a federally mandated phase-out because of its ozone-depleting properties. Homeowners are paying three and four times the cost of R-22 than they were just a few years ago. hyundai portable ac unitNo longer is it financially feasible — or environmentally responsible -—to simply ignore a leaking unit and recharge it with more refrigerant.indoor portable ac unit walmartIt's possible that you simply had an under- or untrained technician who made a mistake, or it could be that the technician oversold you more refrigerant than you needed. rheem ac units ratings

I recommend you reach out to the owner of the company you worked with and discuss your concerns.Beginning January 1, 2010 the EPA requires R-410A (also known by the brand names Puron, SUVA and GENTRON AZ-20) refrigerant in air conditioning and heat pump systems. This means that all new air conditioning and heat pump equipment produced in or imported to the U.S. must use R-410A or another non-ozone depleting refrigerant. The release of HCFCs (hydrochlorofluorocarbons) into the atmosphere has depleted the Earth's protective ozone layer, and created an ozone hole. This will help restrict the release of this manmade chemical and others that deplete this layer and help it to recover. This is a worldwide initiative. 1. Air conditioners and heat pumps that use R-22 can still be serviced and repaired and R-22 will still be available for use in equipment that was manufactured prior to January 1, 2010. 2. When a replacement system is necessary, a system can still be replaced with R-22 equipment as long as it is available.

There is no ban on the sale of R-22 equipment, the new regulation only requires manufacturers to produce R-410 equipment. 3. When R-22 equipment is no longer available HWA will replace the failed system with R-410A equipment. 4. HWA offers R-410A modification coverage on every contract (excludes AllStar and AppliancePlus plans) and with this coverage, up to $1,000 can be used to upgrade the system. Note: The price of these phased out coolants and R-22 system parts will continue to rise as their availability decreases, and may take longer to acquire. HWA has you covered. See below for more information about these changes. What air conditioning and heat pump systems may be affected? R-22 and HCFC-22 can be found in window units, dehumidifiers, central air conditioners, air-to-air heat pumps, ground source heat pumps, and ductless air conditioners. Most air-conditioners have a nameplate on the unit that identifies the refrigerant it contains and other information, such as safety certifications and electrical ratings.

For a central air-conditioner, the nameplate is usually on the outdoor condensing unit. If a nameplate is not provided, there are several other ways that you may be able to obtain the information. You could check your owner's manual for the information. The person/company that sold or services your air conditioner would likely know what refrigerant it uses. Or, if you know the manufacturer and model number, you could call the manufacturer or check its web site.You will not be required to stop using R-22 and you will not be required to replace existing equipment just to switch to a new refrigerant. The lengthy phaseout period provides time to switch to ozone-friendly refrigerants when you normally would replace your air-conditioner or other equipment. This transition is important because supplies of R-22 will be more limited after 2010, which may cause the price of R-22 to increase. Starting in 2020, new R-22 may no longer be produced, so consumers will need to rely solely on recycled or reclaimed quantities to service any systems still operating after that date.

You may continue to have your equipment containing R-22 serviced after 2010, although only a limited amount of new R-22 will be manufactured (to meet the servicing needs of equipment manufactured before January 1, 2010). After 2020, production of R-22 will be prohibited and only recovered, recycled, or reclaimed supplies of R-22 will be available for servicing existing equipment. So, in the future, R-22 supplies will be more limited and costs may rise. Yes, alternative refrigerants that do not harm the ozone layer are available and widely used in the air-conditioning and refrigeration industry today. Through its Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) Program, EPA has found acceptable a number of alternatives to R-22 that do not deplete the ozone layer. R-410A, an HFC refrigerant blend, is the most common. Some common trade names for R-410A include GENETRON AZ-20, SUVA 410A, Forane 410A, and Puron. EPA maintains a full list of acceptable substitutes for household and light commercial air-conditioning.

If you have equipment that contains R-22, the most important thing you can do is to maintain your unit properly. Major leaks rarely develop in units that are properly installed and maintained; however, appropriate servicing is necessary to minimize potential environmental damage and maintenance costs. For more information on what regular service your unit requires, please consult your owner's manual or contact the company that sold or services your unit. It is important to select a reliable service contractor. Technicians must have EPA certification to service equipment containing R-22. It is illegal to intentionally vent (release) any refrigerant when making repairs. Therefore, technicians are required to use refrigerant recovery equipment during service. Also, request that service technicians locate and repair leaks instead of "topping off" leaking systems. This will help ensure that your system operates at its optimal level, which reduces emissions of refrigerant and saves you money by reducing your household energy use and avoiding additional repairs in the future.