How Long Does Freon Last in an Air Conditioning Unit?
How long will refrigerant (aka Freon) last in my air conditioning unit? The answer is that Freon should last forever unless you have a leaking system. Contrary to popular belief, units shouldn’t need to be recharged every year.
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Many customers call our office because their AC system isn’t working as it should. We sometimes find out the problem is related to a low refrigerant charge. This means you have a leaking system.
At that point, we tell you about your options. The best option is to perform a leak search and devise a solution. However, many clients just want to “top off” the system. The problem with topping off a system is the Freon will leak back out. This isn’t a repair; it’s a simple band-aid. Because of this, “How long will it last?” is a question that simply can’t be answered accurately.
Imagine having a nail in your tire. The tire leaks out enough air that you need to fill it in order to drive the car. Do you know how long the air pressure will last? It could last one hour, a day, or even a week. The one thing you know is that it will leak out again unless you get it repaired.
We’re happy to “top off” refrigerant for our customers (within reason), but the technician will explain the risks. You might be throwing away money to have cooling for a week. Leaking systems also cost more money to operate. In short, they aren’t dependable and cost you more money. As soon as the unit is topped off, it begins slowly leaking Freon.
When your unit leaks and doesn’t have a full refrigerant charge, it will use more electricity, damaging your compressor.
If you need air conditioning repair and live in McKinney or a surrounding area, contact Harris Air Services.
