Air Conditioning Myth !?!?!?

[anthonyn]

That's what the guy who sold me a portable AC unit claims. According to him air conditioners, including automotive ones', don't require 'recharging' or refrigerant replacement as long as it stays sealed (e.g. no leaks, nobody takes it apart to work on it etc).

I always thought that after some time, the refrigerant doesn't work so well anymore and needs to be replaced/recharged. Which is it??

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by anthonyn

That's what the guy who sold me a portable AC unit claims. According to him air conditioners, including automotive ones', don't require 'recharging' or refrigerant replacement as long as it stays sealed (e.g. no leaks, nobody takes it apart to work on it etc).

I always thought that after some time, the refrigerant doesn't work so well anymore and needs to be replaced/recharged. Which is it??

The freon does not wear out.
But some cars AC systems have a nasty habit of leakig it out.
MT

[Cat Fuzz]

He's right. If you could manufacture a perfect system with absolutly zero leaks, it would never need recharging. But, its not a perfect world and even brand new systems leak a tiny bit.

[Gizmo42]

I have a few units at work (I do commercial hvac work) that have their original charge after 30 yrs. One of my aunts had a refrigerator from the 50's with its original charge until she moved a few years ago.

As long as a system is built properly the compressor will go out before it ever needs recharging, at which point the refrigerant is now contaminated and needs replaced.