4 Refrigerant System Defects That Affect AC Performance
Defects in the refrigerant system can compromise the performance of your air conditioning system. Such defects can be detected and repaired during periodic maintenance activities. This article discusses some of those refrigerant system defects that a technician from an air conditioner service can discover.
Incorrect Refrigerant Charge
Having too much refrigerant within your AC can often be as bad as having too little. Refrigerant overcharge can cause the compressor to fail because the refrigerant in the system will be unable to evaporate before entering the compressor. Similarly, too little refrigerant in the system can also cause the compressor to fail if ice forms within the evaporator due to the low suction pressure created. Proper system maintenance can correct refrigerant charge issues so that the performance and durability of the air conditioner are not affected.
Non-Condensable Gases
The performance of your air conditioner can also be affected in case non-condensable gases, such as argon, ordinary air and nitrogen find their way into the refrigerant system. These non-condensable gases will lower the boiling point of the refrigerant. Consequently, some of the refrigerant gas will remain trapped within the condenser since those gases will not undergo the expected changes (from liquid to gas) at the required times. All contaminated refrigerants should be evacuated and replaced.
Restrictions on Refrigerant Lines
You are also likely to be dissatisfied with the performance of your air conditioning system in case something has restricted the flow of the refrigerant. Refrigerant lines can become twisted or crimped. This will reduce the rate at which the refrigerant can flow as the AC cycles on and off. Pressure tests can detect any refrigerant flow issues. Corrective action can then be taken so that the performance of the system can be restored.
Evaporator Coil Damage or Fouling
The evaporator is responsible for turning the refrigerant into a gaseous state. This function can be compromised in case dirt accumulates around the evaporator coils. The affected coils are likely to freeze since the refrigerant inside them will be constantly cold. The damage can eventually spread to the other coils until the condenser gets affected. This problem can be arrested by conducting periodic pressure tests across the evaporator coils. Any findings that are outside the specifications of the system will prompt the technician to perform additional inspections to fix the cause of the pressure differences.
You should regularly conduct inspections on all the components of the air conditioning system so that a defect in one area can be sorted before it affects the other components.
