De-Gassing and Air-Con Unit

waddo


Joined: 29/11/2008
Posts: 1966

Message Posted:
29/06/2011 07:53

I have an air-con unit that I wish to disconnect (just the big noisy box outside) from the inside unit so I can place it in storage until I may require it in the future - this on the thought that one day it may get hot enough for us to need it again.



Is there a way to safely de-gas the unit and anything special I should do with it before I disconnect the tubes and cables and store it away. Would hate just to take off the pipes and let the gas into the air!



The label states it is a 24000BTU model with R22 gas of 1950g - out of interest, could I use the same gas to re-fill my Pajero air con???

martinD41


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 3001

Message Posted:
29/06/2011 09:10

I would think this requires specialist equipment ..releasing R22 into the air is, as you say .."Not" the thing to do,

ask an expert like TRNC vaughn at Octopus Pools, he does air con as well.... .....

waddo


Joined: 29/11/2008
Posts: 1966

Message Posted:
29/06/2011 09:24

Msg 2 - Dead right, enough gas comes into the air via KibTek's power stations and would not wish to add more of my own. Also seems a shame to waste the stuff as well but not sure if can still be used or not. 1950g of gas seems a lot to me??

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
29/06/2011 11:24

R22 gas is an ozone layer depleter. It is a criminal offence to release it to atmosphere in the UK.

You should pump the unit down and contain all the gas in the condenser. When the unit is pumped-down it will stop by itself. You can then valve it off and disconnect the pipework at the condenser. Disconnect the wiring making a note of the connections. Remove the condenser. Seal the pipe connections to stop air entering the system.

I can't think why you would want to do this and if I was you I'd get someone to do it for you.

It is unlikely that your auto a/c uses R22.

waddo


Joined: 29/11/2008
Posts: 1966

Message Posted:
29/06/2011 11:37

Vaughan,

R22 use in Pajero was tongue in cheek comment - R22 gas works at too high a pressure for auto air con anyway. I would not release the gas to the atmosphere under any circumstance - I am a smoker and that is pollution enough! Would not attempt to do it myself either - no tools, no experience, no knowledge and only a limited life span - need what I have left!

I have an air con unit in my salon that I do not use but may as well leave the internal unit in the wall in case I should ever want to use air con in that area. The external unit is large and takes up useable space on my front patio - the choice is to remove it and store it or cover it with a box and hide it.

Drop me an email with an idea of cost to degas please and then I can have a choice! Thanks.

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
29/06/2011 11:42

Where abouts are you and could you lend a hand to lift and carry a 24000 Btu outdoor unit which probably weighs about 75-80kg.

waddo


Joined: 29/11/2008
Posts: 1966

Message Posted:
29/06/2011 12:32

In Catalkoy, along the road that runs past and above the riding stables. My trusty sack trolley will do the trick, I have shifted 2 ton water tanks on the damn thing all on my own so the outdoor unit is not a big challenge for me.

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
29/06/2011 12:57

e-mail sent.

waddo


Joined: 29/11/2008
Posts: 1966

Message Posted:
29/06/2011 12:59

Thanks for help Vaughan.

cyprusairsoft



Joined: 22/06/2009
Posts: 2066

Message Posted:
29/06/2011 13:06

vaughan is this the same gas used in fridges and if so new laws state that it has to be filled with a new gas that is not ozone depleter?

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
29/06/2011 13:14

Gas used in fridges is not usually the same as the gas used in a/c. They have different evaporating temperatures and operate at different temperatures, with fridges and particularly freezers operating at much lower temperatures than a/c systems.

As to the law, take a look at:

http://www.epa.gov/ozone/title6/phaseout/22phaseout.html