Temperature Requirement to Charge AC?

[jeff41071]

A contractor is telling me that he cannot complete installation of our AC until it is 70 degrees outside. Is this true? He says that he cannot "charge" the unit with freon unless it is 70 degrees.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

[hvacwiz]

true, should be at least 65 to 70 degrees to get accurate readings so your unit is not over or undercharged

[jeff41071]

Thanks for the info!

[Aurora]

Originally Posted by jeff41071

A contractor is telling me that he cannot complete installation of our AC until it is 70 degrees outside. Is this true? He says that he cannot "charge" the unit with freon unless it is 70 degrees.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

Most manufacturers include a temperature and charge chart in the outdoor unit (condenser) which will list the refrigerant charge required for the unit at different temperatures. There are also temperature/charge charts widely available or the correct charge at a given temperature can be calculated mathematically.

Your contractor must not be very good at math or doesn't have a chart.