How To Do Aircon Pressure Test?

Human beings are created in a way that they perspire to provide the body with natural cooling. The evaporation of perspiration from the skin results in drier air that enhances the comfort, especially where temperatures are extreme. Air conditioners are designed to supply relative humidity of at least 50% to 60% to an occupied space, such as a dining room.


Basic Air Conditioning System: 

The air conditioning unit is a close-up pump loop with two sides that are disconnected by the expansion valve and the compressor. The unit functions when the amount of refrigerant gas is sufficient. While the system is sealed, there are several ports that allow you to test the gas and recharge it. 

Operational Mechanism of Air cons: 

The air conditioning unit moderates the absolute humidity of the air in an occupied space. It encompasses a relatively cold evaporator coil, which proves handy in condensing the water vapor from the processed air. 

The unit utilizes the compressor to pump the refrigerant in a gaseous state into the high-pressure section of the system. Once the refrigerant gas reaches the condenser located in front of the radiator, it cools and then converts into a liquid. The liquid enters the expansion valve, and heat is expelled through the evaporator. 

The evaporator coil is below dew point, and removes water vapor from the cooled air to lower the relative humidity of the room. The water vapor drawn from the cooled air may be sent to a drain. The condenser located outside the room rejects heat, making conditions of a room suitable for occupancy. 

Air Conditioner Pressure Test: 

The air conditioner system may at times fail to provide cold air to the room. This problem may surface when the system depletes its refrigerant gas, though several other issues may cause this condition. When this happens to an Aircon, Pressure Test is essential to find out the precise point of the gas leak. 

Air Conditioner Pressure Test is a useful procedure carried out to identify the leakage area of the system. It isn’t a repair service, but is essential when it comes to figuring out the gas leakage area. This process is fundamental to define the scope of repair services, so all defaults can be rectified.

Why is the Test Important? 
Refrigerant gas leaks due to corrosion or damage, and pressure sensors disable the compressor when the refrigerant pressure is not sufficient. So, when your room isn’t cold enough even when aircon is running, the test may be essential. It plays a role to identify the defaults to be rectified. Some of these defaults include: 
– The indoor fan-coil is dirty, which results in the weak dissipation of the cool air. 
– The outdoor condenser may also be dirty. This causes insufficient production of the cooling refrigerant.
– The desired operating temperature has been set too high. 
– The air conditioner that is installed may be under-sized. 
– Another problem in the system may be existent, resulting in non-continuous operation of the aircon system. This problem is identified when the test is accomplished. 

Finding a leak: 

To identify a leakage area, the steps are quite easy and straightforward. First, check if a small amount of the refrigerant gas is left in the system. You may need to add some more ounces before starting the test. The EPA recommends more refrigerant gas if it has less pressure than 50 pounds per square inch. In general, at least 1-1.5 pounds of the gas is required when it comes to testing the cooling capabilities of the system. 

Aircon Pressure Test Procedure: 

Firstly, induce high pressure into your condenser, refrigerant piping and fan coil to figure out the exact point of the refrigerant gas leak. Record the gas pressure at every step, and locate the point of leakage if you identify the refrigerant leakage.

If you find the leakage point at pipping, it means minor repair works is needed since the location is accessible. You may seal the leakage if you deem fit, but you’re recommended to replace the affected area. If replacement is necessary, exclude the piping works. Make sure you flush, purge and vacuum the whole system in the quest to evacuate the excess air in the system.

In some situations, the leakage area can be found at locations that may not be easy to access. Sometimes the leakages are beyond repair due to excessive wear and tear. This presents a big problem, as many parts of the system may need immediate replacement. The test can also identify if the equipment is very old or obsolete. 

Typically, if you find that the areas affected are inaccessible and hard to repair defaults, you may opt for an effective and economical solution to this problem. These solutions encompass the following: 

– Perform major replacements and include new piping works
– Handle the replacement using new equipment only. 
– Change the entire system, which means you perform a new installation. 

As EPA recommends, you should utilize an electric leak detector that has a complete certification of the Society Automotive Engineers (SAE JI627 certified equipment). The supposed equipment pinpoints minute leaks that seem difficult to find. Tiny leaks result in slow leakage, eventually hampering the cooling capabilities of the A/C system.

How often should I service the Air con unit? 

In general, residential air conditioners should be checked and serviced every three months, whereas commercial air conditioners ought to be serviced and checked every month. The duration may vary depending on environmental factors, along with the different usage patterns.

The primary maintenance to be accomplished is cleaning the unit’s air filter along with its outer panel. This should be done at least every two weeks. Regular maintenance of the air conditioning unit comes with a plethora of advantages for homeowners. Apparently, regular maintenance of the entire unit improves its efficacy in providing cool temperatures to an occupied space. In addition, it reduces the electricity consumption of the unit, meaning that you’re able to save more and more. 

Regular maintenance is, in a nutshell, very essential. It minimizes leakages, reduces the frequency of repair and improves the overall lifespan of the air conditioning unit. Therefore, all homeowners planning to save a couple of bucks on air conditioners should consider performing a comprehensive and regular maintenance up front.

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