Questions, questions, questions… it’s hard to look at an air conditioner in Brampton, ON and not have several questions come to mind. They’re peculiar-looking systems that perform a service that downright seems like magic. That’s why we’ve got a policy here to never shy away from answering the questions of our customers and the people who rely on those answers for their own budgeting and planning.
Does my air conditioner consume refrigerant? Can refrigerant be dangerous to inhale? Why does my air conditioner run for as long as it does? Why do only heat pumps reverse the flow of refrigerant and not central ACs? These are complex questions and the answers might surprise you.
Just makes sure you keep reading below and remember to call our team if there are any questions you have that aren’t listed down there. We can answer them or at least point you in the right direction depending on what the answer might be!
You Have Questions, We’ve Got Answers
As your local professional HVAC experts, we pride ourselves on being able to answer questions that curious customers have. Let’s get started with some frequently asked questions that we can shine some light on.
Why Do Only Heat Pumps Reverse the Flow of Refrigerant?
First of all, heat pumps and central air conditioners are different systems with different components. It’s similar to the comparison of a car and a truck. Both can drive you from point A to point B, but only one of them is going to be able to lift several tons of equipment and transport it for a job.
Heat pumps and air conditioners can both cool an entire home. But heat pumps have a unique component called a reversing valve that lets them reverse the flow of refrigerant and run the process in reverse. This, along with other technological differences, allows for a heat pump to then start heating your home!
Does an Air Conditioner Consume Refrigerant?
No, air conditioners are not designed to consume refrigerant. When the system is installed, it’s set up with the right amount of refrigerant to last for the rest of its lifespan. The system only consumes electricity to do its job.
Why Is My AC Losing Refrigerant, Then?
An air conditioner with low amounts of refrigerant has to be suffering from some kind of leak. This can be located, targeted, and addressed by a professional.
Is Refrigerant Dangerous to Inhale?
While refrigerant is explicitly non-toxic, there are some complications to having refrigerant leak in your space. You don’t have to worry about breathing it in, but refrigerant is a lot denser than oxygen, which means it’s going to push the oxygen in your home away. This can lead to anything from minor breathing problems to a major suffocation incident. If you smell the sweet, chloroform-like scent of refrigerant in your house, call a professional for help.
How Long Should a Normal AC Cycle Be?
This depends on your space and some other factors, but normally an air conditioning cycle should be anywhere from 12-20 minutes. Any shorter than this and you might be dealing with a short-cycling air conditioner, which is a big problem.
Have more questions for us? Contact Peatson’s Heating and Air Conditioning Ltd. to get the answers you’re looking for.