Get to Know Your AC: What is Refrigerant?
You probably know that Freon is a substance associated with air conditioners, but that’s probably as far as your Freon knowledge goes. In all honesty, Freon sounds more like a rare substance used to power flying cars of the future than an everyday refrigerant for your air conditioner. We’re here to explain to you what refrigerants actually are, how they work and why they are so important to your AC unit.
What is a refrigerant?
Every air conditioning unit needs refrigerant. Refrigerants are cooling agents that turn the air cold. Refrigerants are also known as coolants, and the most common type of refrigerant is Freon. Freon is technically a brand name, but similar to Kleenex or Xerox, the brand name has become almost interchangeable with the product.
How do refrigerants work?
Refrigerants absorb the heat in the air, almost like a sponge. The coolant flows through your AC compressor into the condenser where it turns into liquid form. The refrigerant then goes through the expansion valve and then to the evaporator where it finishes a complete cycle through the AC system.
Why are refrigerants important?
If you don’t have refrigerant, you don’t have a working air conditioner. Without it, your AC would not be able to cool your home, you’re going to need to schedule an AC repair call and no Texan wants that. It is also important to make sure your refrigerant levels are normal. If you have low refrigerant levels, your AC unit is going to be working even harder to keep your home cool. This means your energy bills are going to be more expensive and your home might be warmer than usual.
Whether you need a technician to take a look at your Freon levels or you need a basic AC tune-up, ask the air conditioning experts at Champion AC for help. We will make sure your refrigerant cycle is up to date and working properly, no matter what the situation.