Our Most Asked Air Conditioning Questions – Part 2
We get asked questions about air conditioning all the time by customers that call in, customers we see at events and even people our techs run into just in passing! So, we decided we would put together a blog series about some of these frequently asked questions!
What is this new environmentally friendly refrigerant?
PURON is a trademark name that represents refrigerant (R410A) and is environmentally friendly. It contains no chlorine atoms, which makes it less harmful to the environment. It is currently being introduced into the industry and is considered to be a long term alternative to current refrigerants in use today. New equipment is currently available which contains this environmentally friendly refrigerant.
Is it OK for refrigerant (FREON) to come out of my air conditioner?
It is never acceptable for refrigerant to leak from your air conditioning unit or heat pump. Refrigerant cycles in a closed loop system and is never supposed to evaporate, dissipate or get used up. Adding refrigerant to your unit indicates that you have a leak which can damage your system if not resolved in a timely manner. Also, most refrigerant has chemical properties that are harmful to the environment if released into the atmosphere.
Just how important is my filter?
Good airflow is critical to the efficient operation of any air conditioning system. A clean, high efficient air filter will also protect the system from the harmful effect of dirt buildup on the vital components of the air handler or furnace. A high quality air filtration system also provides for cleaner air in your home and ensures a higher level of comfort for you and your family.
It's 90 degrees outside! Why is there ice on my unit?!
You may see “frost” or “ice” on the outdoor unit because the coil of the heat pump is colder that the air surrounding it and when that air is below freezing, frost or icing will occur, but should melt with in 1 ½ hours as this is the timing sequence most defrost controls use to check for this condition in our area.