When your air conditioner gives you a low refrigerant indicator (LR-RI), it probably means that the filter in your air conditioner is dirty and needs to be cleaned. But that’s not always the case. Sometimes, when the filter gets clogged, your AC struggles to detect any dirt or debris that’s in its way. To know if this is the case with your AC unit and how to fix it, read below:
What Is an Air Conditioner Refrigerant Indicator?
Refrigerant indicators are a feature built into some air conditioners so they can tell when there’s something funky going on with their filters. When the indicator shows up, it means that you need to check for dirty filters and have them cleaned ASAP. The reason for this light appearing varies from brand to brand. You can find out more about what causes it here
Change the Filter
If you’ve changed your air conditioner’s filter and the low refrigerant indicator is still showing, there’s a very good chance that your filter is dirty. Try changing it again and see if that solves the problem. If not, there’s a good chance your air conditioner is blocking something in its coil or line. If you’ve changed your air conditioner’s filter and the low refrigerant indicator is still showing, there’s a very good chance that your filter is dirty. Try changing it again and see if that solves the problem. If not, there’s a good chance your air conditioner is blocking something in its coil or line. To change your air conditioner’s filter, start by turning off your unit and unplugging it. Next, open the casing and remove the filter. Then, take the new filter and place it inside the unit. Now, close the casing, plug the unit back in, and turn it on. You now have a brand new filter that needs to cycle through and get dirty. Your low refrigerant indicator should go away once the new filter starts cleaning the air.
Add Dry Ice or CO2
If you’ve already changed your filters and the low indicator is still on, you can try adding dry ice or carbon dioxide to your unit. Dry ice, which is also known as “freeze,” is a super cold solid that turns into a gas when it comes in contact with liquid. CO2 is a colorless gas that turns into a liquid when it comes into contact with dry ice. With both of these additives, the main thing to keep in mind is that you need to add them slowly. It’s best to start with a few tablespoons at a time and wait for your AC to notice it. Once it does, you can slowly add more.
Check for a Block in the Line or Coil
If you’ve changed your filters, added dry ice or CO2, and the low indicator is still on, then there’s a good chance your unit has blocked something in its coil or line. You can unblock it by using a special air conditioner cleaning tool to clear whatever is in the way. If you’ve changed your filters, added dry ice or CO2, and the low indicator is still on, then there’s a good chance your unit has blocked something in its coil or line. You can unblock it by using a special air conditioner cleaning tool to clear whatever is in the way. When you start to notice that the low indicator is on, then it’s time to get a blower tool and clean out your air conditioner’s coil or line. If your unit has a line, then use the blower tool to pull the water and debris out of the line. If it has a coil, then clean out the dirt and debris that is blocking the fins.
Get an Extension Cord and Check the wires
If you’ve changed your filters, added dry ice or CO2, and the low indicator is still on, then there’s a good chance your unit has a block in its line or coil. If this is the case, then you can unplug your unit and use an extension cord and a volt-ohm meter to test the line or coil. You can do this by touching one end of the cord to the terminals and the other to a metal object (like a water bottle). When there’s a good connection, then your AC should work. If it does, then your line is probably blocked. If your unit does have a block in its line or coil, then you’ll need to call an electrician to come out and safely unblock it. You can also try to do it yourself, but it’s best to avoid doing so. Doing so can lead to electric shock or even death.
Reset Your Refrigerant Detection Sensor
If all of these measures fail to fix your low refrigerant indicator and you’ve changed your filters and added dry ice or CO2, then you may have a defective LR-RI sensor. If this is the case, then you can reset your sensor by unplugging your AC, opening the furnace, and then disconnecting the sensor from the compressor. With your furnace unplugged, then open the furnace and remove the LR-RI sensor. Now, take a hammer and tap the sensor until it resets. This should reset your low refrigerant indicator and allow your air conditioner to start working again.
Don’t Ignore the Low Refrigerant Indicator
There are times when people ignore a low refrigerant indicator, thinking that it’s not that big of a deal. But ignoring it can be dangerous, especially if the unit is in a home with people inside. If you don’t get the unit serviced right away, then it’s possible that it could stop working altogether. Plus, if it’s not working well, then it will consume more energy and produce more pollutants than it should. So, don’t ignore it. Get it serviced immediately so that it doesn’t cause any damage to your home or family.
Summing Up
When your air conditioner gives you a low refrigerant indicator, it means that the filter in your unit needs to be cleaned. It can also mean that the line or coil is blocked or a defective LR-RI sensor has been tripped. However, it doesn’t always mean that the filters are dirty. It just means that the LR-RI sensor needs to be reset. So, don’t ignore your low refrigerant indicator. Get it serviced immediately so that it doesn’t cause any damage to your home or family.