Benefits of Vacum in HVAC Installation
Benefits of Vacum in HVAC Installation - We need to know, the vacuum process is a necessity in the installation of both new and used air conditioners. This has also become an SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) that no one should leave behind when installing an AC unit. Vacuum itself is a process of cleaning or removing a certain amount of air and water vapor in the cooling machine system, especially Air Conditioner.
Where this process aims to keep the system clean from dust, air and water vapor, so it is expected that the machine can work optimally for the long term. In more detail, here are the reasons and benefits of vacuum in the installation of new or used air conditioners.
Reasons why HVAC / air conditioning must be vacuumed
ACFIRDAUS.com - Maybe you already know why the AC machine must be vacuumed, namely to avoid the occurrence of the air conditioner not going cold. In the past, air conditioners were safe to install without vacuum, but now why do air conditioners have to be vacuumed? This is because the refrigerant used in the old air conditioner has a difference from the current AC output. Here are some of the differences you need to know between ac then and ac now.
For the old air conditioner (first output) it still uses R22 refrigerant, in contrast to today's air conditioners that already use R32/R410a refrigerant.In addition, the government has also banned the use of R22 refrigerant for refrigeration machines, so air conditioner manufacturers switched to R32/R410a.
Polyester oil (POE) is very hygroscopic. If you experience this kind of problem, Polyester oil (POE) will be hygroscopic or very strong in absorbing water and moisture from the air. Of course, it can be a problem when water vapor enters the system. If there is moisture or air, the compressor will quickly break down. That way nailing or vacuum can prevent the rapid destruction of your AC compressor.
The following is an explanation of the Benefits of Vacuum in AC Installation
1. AC Installation Clean From Water Vapor And Air And Dust
2. Ac Lasts Longer
3. Produces maximum cold air
If you do suction/vacuum at the time of installation, it not only makes the air conditioner installation clean but can also produce maximum cold air. Because one of the things that makes the air less cold is the absence of a vacuum process at the initial time of installing the air conditioner. Compared to air conditioners that are not vacuumed, vacuumed air conditioners can produce cold air conditioning. Dirt, dust or water vapor mixed with oil by inhibiting the Freon circulation process resulting in a cooling process that is not optimal.
So if you have problems with the cooling method, try to do a freon refill, remove all the freon then do the suctioning or vacuum process and refill it with new freon.
4. Does Not Damage the Warranty Agreement on the Air Conditioning unit
As we know, the warranty on the AC unit will apply if we install it in accordance with the standard operating procedures (SOP) of the manufacturer or brand of the air conditioner. Meanwhile, the SOP for installing the air conditioner must be vacuumed, if it is not done, the warranty does not apply and cannot be claimed. Therefore, if you use a technician outside the AC purchase package, choose a technician who works according to the SOP, namely vacuuming when installing the air conditioner.
Ask first, whether to bring a vacuum machine or not before you order their services. If not, it's worth looking for a technician or other service provider. Because it is very important to install an air conditioner in accordance with the recommended procedure. Likewise, when choosing a technician who will install the air conditioner, choose a technician who can install according to the SOP (standard operating procedure) procedure. If you choose a technician whose origin the final result will not be as optimal as expected.
Correct AC Vacuum Process
As is known, air conditioners use Freon as a coolant and oil as a lubricant. In order not to interfere with the performance of the air conditioner, both substances must be kept from mixing with moisture, air, dust, as well as other impurities. For this reason, a vacuum process is carried out so that the system is guaranteed to be free of steam and air and clean from dirt.
Then, why is there an AC installation that is done without a vacuum process first? This is related to the type of Freon used. Before 2015, the air conditioner used R22 type Freon and mineral oil (MO) oil which can dissolve R22 so that the circulation to the compressor engine runs well. However, the government banned the use of R22 and replaced it with R32 or R410A.
Because MO oil cannot dissolve R32, the AC lubricant is replaced with polyester oil (POE). Unfortunately, this oil is very hygroscopic or very easy to absorb water and water from the air. That is, if there is water in the installation pipe, then Freon with POE oil will immediately absorb it.
This is certainly dangerous because if water vapor enters the AC system, the work of this engine will be disrupted because the oil will become very thick. Gradually, this will cause the air conditioner to malfunction. The damage does not occur suddenly, but slowly within 1 to 2 months after the air conditioner is used. This is the reason why the process of vacuuming the air conditioner before installation is so important. Then, what is the procedure? Here are the steps you can take.
1. Prepare the Equipment
2. How to Do AC Vacuum
- Unscrew the freon filling screws on the compressor or outdoor unit. Connect the blue filling manifold hose to the freon filling channel on the compressor, the red hose to the vacuum machine, and the yellow hose to the freon tube.
- Open the faucet on the manifold, namely the blue faucet (low pressure) and the red faucet (high pressure).
- Run the vacuum pump for 15 minutes or until the low pressure analyzer needle in the manifold shows -30 PSI.
- After that, cover the second manifol tap and turn off the vacuum engine. Check the analyzer needle. If within 15 minutes the needle moves upwards, it indicates a leak in the air conditioning system. However, otherwise, open the low and high pressure valves on the compressor with the help of the L key.
