Portable air conditioners are a great option for cooling a room or small area. They are light and portable, so moving them in and out as needed is much more convenient than a window unit.
But as these portable air conditioners age, they sometimes lose their refrigerant as it leaks out. Some people may want to attempt to recharge these units to try to add a few more years to their service life before requiring a replacement.
Below we’ll take a look at how to recharge these portable air conditioners and what steps are involved to do it correctly.
Can A Portable Air Conditioner Be Recharged?
This depends. Some units have service valves installed from the factory and can be recharged similar to an automotive air conditioner.
But many new units are completely sealed and do not have any way to add refrigerant or recharge the system. However, a valve can be installed to accommodate this, which we’ll talk about later.
How To Recharge Your Portable Air Conditioner?
1. Determine if it needs recharging
There may be another issue that is causing your portable AC to not blow cool air. So first, eliminate all other possible causes and ensure your unit is operating properly otherwise.
This means cleaning the coils thoroughly and making sure the unit is draining properly and not clogged.
Also, make sure the unit is running smoothly. Any loud noises or knocking indicates the problem is probably mechanical and not an issue of needing recharging.
2. Check for a service valve or port
Unplug the unit and allow it to settle for at least an hour before servicing. Then open the unit and see if it has a service port or valve to allow for refilling.
If it has a valve, then your job becomes much easier. You simply recharge the unit similar to an automotive air conditioner. For this, you can purchase a kit that should have most of what you need besides some basic hand tools.
If the unit does not have a valve, you will need to add a bullet piercing valve. This requires a bit more work and expertise, which we’ll discuss below.
Adding A Bullet Piercing Valve To A Portable Air Conditioner
If your portable ac unit has no ports to access the refrigerant, you’ll need to add one. For this, you will use what is called a bullet piercing valve.
You will want to add this valve on the low pressure side. An air conditioner has a high pressure side and low pressure side. Always add the valve on the low pressure side.
1. Determine the size of the pipe or tubing
Inspect the pipe on the low pressure side where you’ll be adding the bullet piercing valve. Note the diameter of the pipe and use that measurement to buy the appropriately sized bullet piercing valve.
2. Installing the valve
Unscrew the two halves of the valve and use the appropriate spacers to clamp it over your copper pipe.
Once clamped, the middle set screw is what pierces the tubing. When pierced, the gas will escape via the outlet port. So put your gauges on that port BEFORE piercing the tube.
Pierce the tube with the middle set screw then back it out. The gauges should read an increase in pressure.
3. Recharging the portable air conditioner
With your gauges now reading a pressure you can add refrigerant, or remove it and capture it, whatever your goal is.
It’s always wise to use the same refrigerant as was already in the AC unit. This is usually indicated somewhere on the tag that also has the serial number and model number.
Once recharged, make sure to turn the piercing screw back in and tighten before removing your gauges or the gas will all leak out.
Remove your gauges then add the port cover with a gasket back over the port.
Recharging A Portable Air Conditioner FAQ
Do portable AC units need to be recharged?
Not usually. If the unit is less than 10 years old and is well maintained, it should not need recharging.
But some older units will start to leak as the copper pipes become corroded and gasses escape through microscopic pinholes that can form.
If the unit is not blowing cool air but everything else is functioning properly, it may have leaked all the refrigerant.
Are there portable air conditioner recharge kits?
Yes. Some online retailers and stores may carry these kits. Although they are outlawed in certain areas and only available to certified technicians.
Some of these kits will include the refrigerant, a bullet piercing valve, and the hoses and gauges needed to complete the task.
Recharging a portable air conditioner can be dangerous, so only those with experience and training should attempt to do it.
If you are unsure or uncomfortable with any of the steps to recharge your AC unit, make sure to contact a professional
How do I know if my portable air conditioner needs Freon?
If the unit is over five years old and is not blowing cool air, it may be due to being low on coolant.
First, inspect the unit and clean the coils of any dust or debris that has built up over the years. Also, make sure the condensation drain is free of obstructions.
If all of these things are working normally but the unit still doesn’t blow cool air, it probably needs a recharge of refrigerant.
Final Thoughts On Recharging A Portable Air Conditioner
Portable air conditioners should last for many years without needing the user to add any refrigerant. However, on older units, a recharge can add new life to a unit and you can get one or two more seasons from it before needing to buy a new one.
Following the tips in this article should help you if you ever need to recharge your portable air conditioner. Just remember to follow all safety precautions and contact a professional if ever in doubt.