Check Your AC Refrigerant Level Without Using Gauges

This Video will assist the average DIYer check the refrigerant level in your home air conditioner with just using common air conditioner temperatures and some basic air conditioner knowledge. and a home thermometer 0:00 Intro 0:15 Thermostat calling for AC 0:42 Parts of AC unit 1:09 Checking temperatures and operation at furnace 5:04 Checking Temperature on main floor 6:06 Checking temperatures at condenser 8:07 Checking temperatures at condenser fan 8:35 Clean outdoor Coil 8:53 Conclusion and End of Video ⚠️ Disclaimer: This video is for educational purposes. All appliance, electrical and HVAC repair work should be done by a trained professional. Mark T the Handyman is not responsible for any possible damages or injuries caused by the use or misuse of the provided information. _____________________________________________________________________ Here is basic effect of a low refrigerant condition: In HVAC physics, pressure and temperature share a direct, proportional relationship. When a system has less refrigerant mass (usually due to a leak), the compressor creates less physical pressure inside the indoor evaporator coil. This lack of pressure forces the refrigerant's saturation (boiling) point down past the 32°F threshold. Your indoor air naturally holds humidity. When the blower fan pushes this warm, humid air over an abnormally sub-freezing evaporator coil, the moisture doesn't just condense into water droplets to drain away safely. Instead, it instantly freezes upon contact with the freezing metal fins. Ice acts as a thermal insulator. Once a thin layer of frost blankets the coil, it physically blocks the warm room air from reaching the remaining refrigerant liquid inside the tubes. Because the refrigerant cannot absorb any room heat, the coil temperature drops even lower, causing a so called, snowball effect. A dirty air filter can cause the same effect by choking the system's airflow. Without enough warm household air blowing across the evaporator coil to absorb its chill, the refrigerant temperature drops below freezing. As moisture in the air passes over the super-cooled coil, it freezes solid. Causing the same results and limiting the cooling capacity of the cooling system.