Portable air conditioners, like fixed units, use refrigerants to cool the air. Over time, the refrigerant may deplete due to leaks, reducing the unit's efficiency.

If your portable AC isn't cooling as effectively as before, it might be time to recharge the refrigerant. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about recharging your portable air conditioner.

Do I Need to Add Freon to My Portable Air Conditioner?

Typically, no. Portable ACs are sealed systems and don’t require refrigerant refills under normal conditions. However, if your unit is not cooling effectively, and it indicates a refrigerant leak after checking, you’ll need a licensed HVAC professional to recharge it.

What Does Refrigerant Do In A Portable Ac Unit?

Refrigerants are the cheminicals that are used for heat transfer in the portable AC unit. Freon is one of the most common refrigerants used in air conditioners. They include the common seen freon R-410A, R-407c, R-404a, R-134a, and R-32.

Refrigerant in a standing AC unit absorbs heat from indoor air, turning from liquid to gas in the evaporator coil. The compressor then heats the gas, which releases heat outside through the condenser coil. As it cools, the refrigerant condenses back into a liquid, repeating the cycle to keep your room cool.

Therefore, the refrigerant won't be used up in most cases.

What Portable Air Conditioner Freon Do I Need?

The type of refrigerant required depends on the model and manufacturing year of your portable air conditioner. Older units often use R-22 refrigerant, but due to environmental regulations, newer models typically use R-410A or R-32, which are more eco-friendly.

To verify which refrigerant your system uses, check the specifications label on your unit. If you don’t find it there, you can consult the manufacturer’s manual to determine the correct refrigerant type to use for the system.

How To Recharge a Portable Air Conditioner?

To understand how complex the process is, we have outlined the steps that professionals take to recharge a standing air conditioner with refrigerant:

1. Turn Off and Unplug the Unit – The first step is to ensure the mobile home AC unit is completely powered down before beginning any work. Failing to do so may result in an electric shock or damage to the system during the process.

2. Locate the Service Port – Once your system is powered down, locate the service port. This is typically found near the compressor or refrigerant lines.

3. Attach a Refrigerant Gauge – At the service port, you can connect a gauge to measure the pressure level. This is an important step to determine if a recharge is needed. At times, a damaged compressor might be the reason that your portable AC unit is not cooling properly. If you refill the refrigerant in the system at this point, it would be of no use.

4. Add the Correct Refrigerant – If you’ve detected that lowering refrigerant levels are causing the issue, select a compatible refrigerant. Slowly add it to the system while monitoring pressure levels.

5. Seal the System - After refilling, it is important to seal the system so it doesn’t escape the system again. To properly seal the system after refilling the refrigerant, make sure all connections are tightened securely, any worn-out O-rings are replaced, and you’ve used a vacuum pump to remove air and moisture.

6. Test the Unit – Once the system is sealed, turn on the AC and check if it is cooling effectively.

How Much Does It Cost to Refill Air Conditioner Refrigerants?

The cost of refilling refrigerant varies based on the Freon type and amount needed. On average, a recharge service for a portable air conditioner can cost between $100 and $300, depending on the unit's BTU capacity, refrigerant type, and labor fees. Here's a detailed breakdown of the recharging costs by BTU and costs of the refrigerant by type:

Freon Costs by Type

Freon prices vary by refrigerant type, with the following ranges:

• R22: Wholesale cost ranges from $13 to $21 per pound, with installed costs between $90 and $150 per pound.

• R410A: Wholesale cost is between $4 and $8 per pound, with installed costs ranging from $50 to $80 per pound.

• R404A: Wholesale cost varies from $4 to $7 per pound, and installed costs are between $50 and $70 per pound.

• R407A: Wholesale prices range from $5 to $12 per pound, with installation costs between $60 and $130 per pound.

• R421A: Wholesale costs range from $6 to $8 per pound, and installed prices range from $60 to $80 per pound.

• R422B: Wholesale prices range from $6 to $9 per pound, and installed costs range from $60 to $100 per pound.

• R134A: Wholesale costs range from $4 to $10 per pound, with installed costs ranging from $50 to $110 per pound.

Freon Recharging Costs by BTU

The recharging cost depends on the BTU capacity of the portable AC and the type of refrigerant used.

Here's the refrigerant recharging costs from 8,000 BTU to 14,000 BTU portable air conditioners (including labor costs):