When charging an A/C system while running, where should refrigerant be added?

In an operating air conditioning (A/C) system, refrigerant should be added to the low side only. This is because the low side of the system is where the refrigerant is in its gaseous state and at lower pressure. When the system is running, this is the safest and most effective point to introduce additional refrigerant.

Adding refrigerant to the low side allows it to be properly vaporized and then sent through the system to absorb heat from the space being cooled. If refrigerant were added to the high side, it could potentially cause high-pressure issues and could lead to safety hazards, such as system damage or refrigerant release. Moreover, the system's compressor requires the refrigerant to be at the low-pressure state in order to efficiently process it.

This practice is essential for maintaining system efficiency and integrity, ensuring that the A/C functions optimally and that technicians can safely manage refrigerant levels during maintenance and servicing.