Air-Related Complications Can Be Serious

Air has been called the number one contaminant of air conditioning systems because of the serious problems it can cause.  And, because until now, there was no easy way to identify excess air.

The biggest problem air causes is higher than normal pressures within the system.  Also to be considered is the moisture (humidity) the air carries with it.  At the expansion points the moisture drops out in the form of ice crystals, slowing or preventing the flow of refrigerant.  When the expansion valve warms and the ice melts, the flow resumes, causing intermittent cooling.  The refrigerant oil readily absorbs moisture from the air and over time it can result in corrosion which plugs strainers, expansion valves, and capillary tubes.

The most obvious source of air is a leak, which can be fixed.  Air can enter during service procedures and installations, too, and if the system isn't properly evacuated, air can be there to stay.

What's difficult is determining if and how much air is in a system – that's why the Robinair's Air I.D. was developed.