what percentage of split unit service calls require removing refrigerant

[andy32821]

Hi Everyone,

A question from a clueless controls guy: What percentage of split unit service calls (something broke, not PM's) require removing refrigerant from the system?

Thanks,
Andy

[GoCougs]

24.5%


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[icy78]

24.5%


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22.89% in my area.

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[hvacskills]

Hi Everyone,

A question from a clueless controls guy: What percentage of split unit service calls (something broke, not PM's) require removing refrigerant from the system?

Thanks,
Andy

It is far more common for a system to be undercharged opposed to being overcharged because it is not uncommon for the system to have small refrigerant leaks ( valve cores, fittings, joints ) or simply not enough refrigerant was added at install ( remember split systems only come pre charged for 15 ' of distance to the evaporator coil ) ... a % would be hard to pin down, but if I had to I would guess maybe 10 %, 15 %, maybe 20 %

last I researched, according to The United States Government, roughly 75 % of all AC systems are not charged properly .... but that % was from several years ago but I don't see why that number would have changed much

[timebuilder]

I don't work on many split systems, but when I have one in commercial, recovery is involved with about 5% of the splits.

Most of the work is leak check and repair (so no recovery) caps, motors, and in the past 10 years, maybe two compressors. That is most of the 5%.

[kdean1]

43.7% of statistics are made up.

[71CHOPS]

I've always considered any HVAC repairs to consist of 80-90% electrical issues.....across the board, from tiny splits to big chillers.

on a side note......Andy, I'm curious what your motivation is for asking this question. was this sparked by a conversation with a coworker? being a controls guy, I'm sure you get blamed for everything, regardless of what's happening.

personally, in the commercial world, I think 70% of problems I have are caused by you clueless controls guys!!

[timebuilder]

Most of my control issues revolve around the fact that the installing contractor does not understand enough of the controls side of the business to do the job correctly, and in several cases it is me.... a garden-variety commercial HVAC tech...who had to discover where the failure was and what fix was needed to permanently get the site operational.

[VTP99]

Hi Everyone,

A question from a clueless controls guy: What percentage of split unit service calls (something broke, not PM's) require removing refrigerant from the system?

Thanks,
Andy

Well, the last leaking condenser I repaired was flat on charge so no recovery there. If it was caught sooner that would be different.
Locked or grounded/open winding and you'll be recovering
as well.
My percentage is way less then half but then my residential service calls are as well.
Commercial splits are less common in comfort cooling but in refrigeration very common.

[hvacskills]

Hi Everyone,

A question from a clueless controls guy: What percentage of split unit service calls (something broke, not PM's) require removing refrigerant from the system?

Thanks,
Andy

OP, I may have misunderstood your question .... I was thinking of once the unit is repaired and up and running to the point of checking / adjusting the refrigerant charge ...

not sure why the question is regarding split systems, although a split system is more likely to have a refrigerant leak than a packaged system

other than adjusting the refrigerant charge once a repair is made ( electrical, motor, belt, filters, cleaning )

how often do you need to recover refrigerant to repair a leak, or replace a compressor, or replace a TXV ?

still a difficult guess .... maybe 15 % - 20 %

[Armament]

Mini splits or split air handling equipment?

Mini splits are a doozer because they’re thermistor driven. I overcharged one a while ago that I’d repaired a leak in. A frosty line doesn’t always mean it’s low in gas. Sometimes the logic/thermistors along with the compressor frequencies don’t all jive immediately.

I also had one with a sticky eev that displayed symptoms of being shy in gas. No heat and freezing up in ac. Pulled the charge and it was bang on. Out it back in and told the fellow the valve was pooched. He cycled it a couple of times and it magically Came back to life ��