Refrigerant Charge
The amount of refrigerant in a system — set precisely at install and unchanged for life unless there's a leak. 'It just needs a recharge' every summer means a leak diagnosis is being deferred annually at full price: systems don't consume refrigerant.
The longer answer
Both low and high charge hurt: low charge starves capacity, ices coils, and overworks compressors; overcharge (from careless top-offs) stresses them differently. Correct charge is verified with gauges and temperature measurements — part of real commissioning and real tune-ups.
The honest economics on an older leaking system: find-and-fix the leak (worth it on younger equipment), or put the annual top-off money toward replacement — especially as older-refrigerant service costs climb. What's never economics: paying for the same gas every June.
Guides that use this term
Where this decision happens
Nearby in the glossary
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