I just moved to TX and the home has AC I have never lived in a home with AC does it need freon like cars?

Question

also I was told if I build a little canopy on top of the AC unit it will help with the cooling is that right to give it some shade from the sun

Answer 1

Your A/C does use refrigerant, but it will not require recharging unless you have a leak. It's a sealed system, and shouldn't leak like an automotive compressor, because you don't have any seals in the compressor nor flexible hose. If refrigerant needs to be added, then the system needs to be leak checked. Clean or change your filter regularly (at least every 3 months) and have the unit serviced indoors and out at least annually for peak performance. As to a canopy, the refrigerant in your condenser is cooled by the ouside ambient air. A canopy would have very little effect in changing the temperature of that air, although I'm sure the HVAC tech would love the shade when he's working on the unit. Enjoy your AC.

Answer 2

the freon is in there but dont mess with it, it has be delt with by a certified technician, and the canopy while im sure it wont hurt isn't necessary, been in az for 20 yrs now and been doing just fine without a conopy over mine

Answer 3

yes it sure does and it needs recharging everyonce in a while too but you need a specialist with a liscence to do that since you cant buy freeon yourself since the 80's

Answer 4

to check to see if the unit needs gas measure the room temp then measure the vent temp with the a/c running the TD temp difference should be around 18 degrees. if the TD is low say 10degrees yes it is more than likely low. but when they are low the evap coil will freeze up. shade helps if you do not slow the air flow down in any way. if the unit is low you have a freon leak and need to find it and get it repaired. check the evap coil to make sure it not dirty. the suction line outside the big line with black insulation on it, the temp of the suction line will tell you a lot, too cold 40-45 degrees dirty evap coil too warm 70 -80 degrees low on gas.

Answer 5

Yep..Call the A/C company

Answer 6

Yes it does, and down here you will definately need it in the summertime. Just make sure you have it serviced each year.

Answer 7

It either needs freon or puron (R12 or R134a) depending on the age of the system.  

As for your canopy idea?  Yeah that might work a little bit.  The idea of the condensing unit (the thing outside your house, and the most visible part of the AC system) is to cool the heated freon before its pumped back into the system.  A canopy would keep the sun off it and probably help that process somewhat provided you don't block the airflow from the fan in the condensing unit.

Answer 8

sometimes the AC will need freon, but that's only when your unit is not cold enough. As far as shade over an AC I don't believe that to be true.