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Air Conditioner

Do New Air Conditioners Come Pre Charged?

ByRalph P. Sita Updated onJanuary 20, 2025

Air conditioners are essential for maintaining comfort in most homes, especially during the hot summer months. When replacing an old unit, it’s important to know whether a new air conditioner comes pre-charged with refrigerant. The answer is yes, many new air conditioners are pre-charged with refrigerant during the manufacturing process. This refrigerant is generally sufficient to ensure the unit operates effectively. However, the exact amount and type of refrigerant can vary based on the model and type of air conditioner, so it’s important to check the specifications of the unit you purchase.

Do New Air Conditioners Come Pre Charged

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  • How to Install Pre-Charged AC Unit
  • Do Heat Pumps Come Pre-charged?
  • Does a New AC Unit Come With Refrigerant?
  • How Long Does It Take to Charge a New AC Unit?
  • Do Split Systems Come Pre-Charged?
    • Related Articles

How to Install Pre-Charged AC Unit

Are you thinking about installing a pre-charged AC unit in your home?

Here is a step-by-step guide to help you install your new unit:

1. Begin by turning off the power to your air conditioner at the breaker box.

2. Next, remove the access panel from the top of the unit so that you can reach the evaporator coils.

3. Use a clean rag or brush to remove any dirt or debris from the coils.

4. Now, locate the low-pressure service valve on your AC unit and open it up using a wrench.

5. Connect one end of your charging hose to the valve and then attach the other end to the canister of refrigerant. Be sure that all connections are tight so that there are no leaks.

6. Slowly open up the valve on the refrigerant canister until liquid begins flowing into your AC unit. You may hear bubbling noises as this happens – this is normal!

Continue adding refrigerant until you reach the specified level for your particular model of air conditioner (this information should be included in your owner’s manual).

Close both valves once done charging.

Do Heat Pumps Come Pre-charged?

If you’re considering a heat pump for your home, you may be wondering if they come pre-charged.

The answer is yes! All heat pumps come pre-charged with refrigerant, which helps to transfer heat between the inside and outside of your home.

This means that you won’t have to worry about adding any extra chemicals to your system.

Does a New AC Unit Come With Refrigerant?

The answer is maybe. Some air conditioners are sold without refrigerant, while others come pre-charged with it.

When shopping for a new air conditioner, be sure to ask the salesperson if the unit comes with refrigerant.

Many units are sold without it, which means you’ll have to purchase and add the refrigerant yourself.

This can be an expensive and time-consuming task, so it’s important to know ahead of time whether or not your AC unit will require this extra step.

Some air conditioners come pre-charged with refrigerant, but this is becoming less common as newer, more efficient models are released that don’t use as much of the substance.

If your AC unit does come pre-charged, be sure to ask how long the charge will last and when you’ll need to recharge it again.

In most cases, it’s best to buy an AC unit that doesn’t require additional refrigerant.

This way, you can avoid the hassle and expense of having to purchase and add the substance yourself.

However, if you do choose an AC unit that requires refrigerant, be sure to ask about how often it needs to be recharged so you can plan accordingly.

How Long Does It Take to Charge a New AC Unit?

A new AC unit will take a few hours to charge.

The specific time will vary depending on the brand and model of the unit, but it should only take a few hours to get the job done.

Once the AC unit is charged, it will be able to provide cool air for your home for many years to come.

Do Split Systems Come Pre-Charged?

Yes, split systems come pre-charged.

The refrigerant is already in the system so you don’t have to add any when you install it.

5/5 - (1 vote)
Ralph P. Sita
Author: Ralph P. Sita

Ralph P. Sita is a seasoned professional with deep roots in both the HVAC and tech industries. His family’s business, Ralph P. Sita, Inc., is a locally owned and operated HVAC contractor with over 42 years of experience, serving the DC, Maryland, and Virginia areas. The company specializes in residential, commercial, and industrial heating, ventilation, and air conditioning services, offering everything from installation and maintenance to custom ductwork and indoor air quality solutions -www.ralphpsita.com. A former CPA, he spent the last decade as co-founder and co-CEO at Cybrary, a leading platform for cybersecurity and IT training. Cybrary became the largest, most well-known cybersecurity training businesses in the industry under his leadership. Smart AC Solutions is an opportunity to give back to the HVAC community by providing reliable, actionable information on all things heating and cooling.

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Ralph P. Sita

Ralph P. Sita is a seasoned professional with deep roots in both the HVAC and tech industries. His family’s business, Ralph P. Sita, Inc., is a locally owned and operated HVAC contractor with over 42 years of experience, serving the DC, Maryland, and Virginia areas. The company specializes in residential, commercial, and industrial heating, ventilation, and air conditioning services, offering everything from installation and maintenance to custom ductwork and indoor air quality solutions -www.ralphpsita.com.

A former CPA, he spent the last decade as co-founder and co-CEO at Cybrary, a leading platform for cybersecurity and IT training. Cybrary became the largest, most well-known cybersecurity training businesses in the industry under his leadership.

Smart AC Solutions is an opportunity to give back to the HVAC community by providing reliable, actionable information on all things heating and cooling.

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