Even a healthy AC loses about 10% of refrigerant a year. Scheduled service in steps: diagnosis, recovery, vacuum, recharge and final check.
According to MSG Equipment, refrigerant molecules are so small that even a sound AC loses about 10% a year, so a recharge every 2–3 years is enough. Refrigerant cannot simply be topped up; the exact amount must be charged after recovery and weighing.
- Diagnosis: identify the refrigerant with a gas analyser and check line pressures.
- Recovery: the station weighs the removed refrigerant and about 10–15 g of oil; more oil signals a problem.
- Vacuum: takes about 30 minutes.
- Recharge: on average 500 g of refrigerant, replacement oil and optionally leak-detection dye.
- Final check: run at 2,500–3,000 rpm with the lowest temperature and maximum fan.