Can I re-charge my room air conditioner ?

Screw the EPA!

GOT- R -DONE!
August 2011

Screw the EPA. I feel if I own the unit and I know how to charge it I WILL....
Laws are made to be broken or bent.

John Casy
July 2011

People are still answering this question from 6 years ago..... I'm sure he has purchased one or two replacement ac units by now.

another tech
June 2010

Stop with all the legal dogma..... everyones a lawyer...... blah blah. They didn't ask if it was legal...... they simply asked if it could be done and how.

the right answer
May 2010

Don't listen to that stuff. Add a A/C service port adapter(piercing valve) to a spot in the copper line near where the factory crimped off the tube and refill using an automotive A/C recharge kit available at any auto parts store like Schucks/Oreilly, Autozone or NAPA. Here are som links for adapters:
http://www.stridetool.com/tools/autospecialty/actoolaccess_02.html
http://www.spx.usatoolwarehouse.com/spx-store/ROB-40472.html
Make sure you get a valve that matches the diameter of your copper pipe, tighen your adapter properly without overdoing it and you should be fine.

Ace
September 2009

I hate the EPA, ever since Ghostbusters came out in 84.

Chris
August 2009

uhm, R-134a is a replacement for R-12, not R-22. window units, like refrigerators have a small tube that runs a few inches, then just ends. you can buy a screw-in tap valve. You DO need an EPA liscense to buy R-22, and the manifold (gages) to check the pressure and charge it cost almost as much as a new window a/c....(then ya still gotta by the freon, and you can't buy anything less than 30 pounds, and right now that's another $100+ soooo)

Bryan
August 2007

THis is what you need...
R22 is out and should not be used.. you will have to change your system to R134a.
Besides modifying your aircon... you need the following items
1) Vaccum pump..
2) set of guages and charge pipes.
3) Depending on your system.. ie .if all the pipes are welded/brazed/or soldered...you will require a porable oxy/accet. kit...
4). Refrigerant recovery system.
5). New gas, + all the new components to modify your aircon...

After you have purchased all these items.. you probably have spent more than you would have buying two or three portable aircons..

Call a qualified tech.

paul
July 2006

don't listen to these guy's of course u can charge ur air conditioner...get u a set of guages at wal-mart which requires no license...instruction guide tells u how to do ...besides r-22 is not used any more 134 or 132A it is not hard to charge...

a guy who does his own work
May 2006

Most window units are designed these days to be throw-aways. The factory doesn't manufacture them with service ports. Service ports have to be silver soldered on to be able to charge the unit. Your second problem will be obtaining R-22 for the charge, which you will need to be EPA certified in order to buy. Thirdly, you could be reported to the EPA for doing refrigeration work without certification and face very large fines. Not to burst your bubble, but they have this industry squeezed pretty tight.

Anonymous A/C technician
June 2005

Not legally unless you are EPA certified to handle and work with refrigerants. hire a licensed HVAC specialist.

Mari
September 2004