Aircon gas, also known as refrigerant gas, is a critical part of your air-conditioning unit’s cooling system. The constant expansion and contraction of the aircon gas is what removes heat from your interior and releases it to the outdoor environment. Aircon gas achieves this by moving through the aircon system in a closed loop.
However, over time small leaks can occur in your aircon unit which leads to a drop in refrigerant levels. When this happens, your aircon is unable to cool your home or office efficiently. This reduced cooling capacity puts a strain on your electricity bills and may wear out the unit more quickly. To help aircon owners learn more about this essential part of aircon servicing and maintenance, here’s a short informational guide to aircon gas top up in Singapore.
1. What Is Aircon Gas Top Up
Aircon gas top ups are exactly what they sound like. Aircon technicians bring in actual canisters of the refrigerant gas used in your unit and refill the pipes. Over time, the metal used in your aircon pipes gets eroded and small holes are created. These miniscule holes provide a way for the aircon gas in your unit to escape.
Low levels of refrigerant force your aircon to work much harder than it should. Keeping your aircon gas refilled and fixing piping leaks are essential aspects of any standard aircon maintenance service.
Learn More: Aircon Piping 101: An Introduction to Aircon Pipes
2. When Is Aircon Gas Top Up Required?
Some signs that your aircon refrigerant gas level is running low include reduced cooling ability, warmer air coming from the aircon fan, increased humidity in the interior, higher electricity consumption, ice buildup on evaporator coil, and bubbling or hissing sounds coming from your unit.
If you notice any of these signs, or other unusual behaviour coming from your aircon, it is advisable to get a qualified technician to take a look at your unit. The price of an aircon gas top up is much lower than what you might otherwise end up spending on future repairs if the problem gets worse.
Other than micro leaks due to wear and tear, other factors that can lead to a loss of aircon gas in your system are improper installation, lack of regular maintenance, and accidental damage.
3. Process Of Aircon Gas Top Up
Topping up refrigerant gas is a straightforward part of aircon servicing. There are a few standard steps which will be followed during the process.
First the technician will inspect the aircon unit to determine if a top up of refrigerant is needed. This is done by checking the evaporator coil and the gas level in your unit. The entire aircon unit will also be looked over to find any leaks, damages, or other issues. If any leaks are found, they will be repaired before moving forward.
Next, the appropriate aircon gas will be pumped into your system with specialised equipment. It’s important to make sure that the right type of gas and amount is put into your aircon to avoid running into more issues later on.
Once the aircon gas top up is done, the technician will test the system to ensure that it is functioning properly. Other components of the aircon will also be checked to make sure that there are no other malfunctions.
On a long enough timescale, all aircon units will likely leak gas at some point. It is a routine issue that is frequently encountered and shouldn’t pose any real cause for concern. A simple call to a certified aircon servicing company should take care of the issue and keep your aircon in good working order. Ideally, aircon owners should look to schedule annual maintenance for their units to anticipate such problems, and fix them before they become worse.
As a reliable and affordable aircon service provider in Singapore, City Cooling aims to provide the best possible experience for all our customers. Contact us today to learn more about our services and make an appointment with us.
