When many people feel that their air conditioner isn't as cool as it used to be, their first thought is to refill the refrigerant. Alternatively, they may believe that, just like a car undergoing regular maintenance, an air conditioner is a consumable item that requires regular refilling of refrigerant.
However, the refrigerant in a normal air conditioner does not work that way. Since it circulates only within sealed pipes, it does not decrease naturally, and if a refrigerant shortage is observed, it is a sign of a leak. You must accurately diagnose before charging to avoid greater costs and problems.
There is a specific reason why it feels like the refrigerant has decreased.
Refrigerant leakage from an air conditioner occurs only when the piping is damaged or the connections are loose. In a closed system, the refrigerant circulates continuously in the same amount and does not automatically decrease due to seasonal changes or the passage of time.
So, what causes the cooling performance to feel reduced? First, if the indoor unit's filter is contaminated, the airflow weakens, and if debris accumulates around the outdoor unit, heat exchange efficiency decreases. Additionally, the same symptoms occur if the temperature setting is set too high or if the windows are open.
To accurately determine whether there is a shortage of refrigerant It is helpful to check the difference between the indoor intake temperature and the exhaust temperature. The normal range is about 7 to 12 degrees, and if there is almost no difference, you may suspect a lack of refrigerant or contamination of the heat exchanger.
| division | Wall-mounted type | Stand type | characteristic |
|---|---|---|---|
| private companies | 60,000 to 80,000 won | 70,000 to 100,000 won | Includes basic charge only |
| Official Service Center | From 80,000 won | From 90,000 won | Leakage checks can be included |
| When leak repair is needed | Additional 200,000 won or more | Pipe repair or connection adjustment | |
How do we distinguish between leakage and simple shortage?
There are two situations in which you may feel a lack of refrigerant. One is due to leaks accumulated over time, and the other is when it was charged below the specified amount during the initial installation.
If there is a leak, the same problem will repeat after a certain period even if you charge it. Unless the cause of the leak is first identified and the piping is repaired or the connections adjusted, simply refilling the refrigerant is merely a temporary measure.
Leaks can be checked by a professional technician using specialized testing equipment. Please be sure to confirm whether a leak check is performed when receiving on-site service. The basic visit fee is approximately 60,000 to 120,000 won, but if repairs are required due to a leak, an additional fee of over 200,000 won may apply.
Check this first before charging
There is a checklist to verify before deciding to recharge the refrigerant. First, check the indoor unit's filter. If there is a lot of dust, a simple cleaning can restore the cooling capacity.
You should also inspect the outdoor unit. If weeds, tissues, or plastic bags are blocking the area around the unit, or if it is placed in a location exposed to excessive sunlight, heat dissipation will be hindered, reducing efficiency. If unavoidable due to the building's structure, installing a shield on the outdoor unit can also be helpful.
Temperature settings are also surprisingly important. If you set it to a high temperature or leave it on automatic mode, the desired cooling may not be achieved. The same applies to environments where windows are open or doors are frequently opened and closed.
Why the cost differs between professional charging and self-charging
The cost of refrigerant charging It varies greatly depending on the type of air conditioner and service. For private companies, wall-mounted air conditioners cost between 60,000 and 80,000 won, while floor-standing types range from 70,000 to 100,000 won. Official service centers for manufacturers tend to be higher, starting at 80,000 won for wall-mounted units and 90,000 won for floor-standing units.
The type of refrigerant also affects costs. Recent air conditioners use refrigerants such as R410A or R32, but the specifications and charge amounts vary depending on the product.
Self-charging may seem cheap, but it is dangerous. It is difficult to match the exact charging amount, and overcharging increases power consumption and may damage the compressor. It is safer to use professional services, as this could eventually lead to higher repair costs.
You need to know that repeatedly refilling the refrigerant only increases the cost.
If the same problem recurs after one or two months even after refrigerant refill, you must have the leak checked again.
If refrigerant shortages occur repeatedly, you should always suspect a leak, and finding the cause before recharging is ultimately the way to save money and time.
If you choose a low-cost service to save money but the performance weakens again after a few weeks, the rework costs may end up being higher. It is wise to first ask whether the visit includes a leak check, performance verification after charging, and the availability of after-sales service before making a decision.
Air conditioner refrigerant is invisible, but it is an important part of the system. Before automatically charging the unit just because the cooling has weakened, the most efficient solution is ultimately to inspect the filter and outdoor unit first and check for leaks. Thinking one more time before deciding to recharge can save you wasted costs and recurring worries.