Refrigerant Charge Calculator Formula

Understand the math behind the refrigerant charge calculator. Each variable explained with a worked example.

Formulas Used

Additional Charge

additional_oz = extra_length * oz_per_ft

Total System Charge

total_charge_oz = factory_charge_oz + extra_length * oz_per_ft

Total Charge

total_charge_lbs = (factory_charge_oz + extra_length * oz_per_ft) / 16

Variables

VariableDescriptionDefault
line_lengthTotal Line Set Length(ft)50
factory_lengthFactory Charge Covers(ft)25
oz_per_ftRefrigerant per Extra Foot(oz/ft)0.6
factory_charge_ozFactory Charge(oz)96
extra_lengthDerived value= line_length > factory_length ? line_length - factory_length : 0calculated

How It Works

Refrigerant Charge Adjustment

Additional Charge = (Line Length - Factory Length) x oz/ft

AC condensing units ship with a factory refrigerant charge that covers a standard line set (typically 25 ft). For every additional foot of liquid line, extra refrigerant must be added per the manufacturer specifications (often 0.6 oz/ft for R-410A).

Worked Example

50 ft line set, factory covers 25 ft, R-410A at 0.6 oz/ft, 96 oz factory charge.

line_length = 50factory_length = 25oz_per_ft = 0.6factory_charge_oz = 96
  1. 01Extra length = 50 - 25 = 25 ft
  2. 02Additional = 25 x 0.6 = 15.0 oz
  3. 03Total = 96 + 15 = 111 oz = 6.94 lbs

Ready to run the numbers?

Open Refrigerant Charge Calculator