Charge

In HVAC systems, “charge” refers to the process of adding or adjusting the amount of refrigerant in a system to ensure it operates correctly and efficiently. Refrigerant is the special chemical that absorbs and releases heat to cool or heat a space. Properly charging a system means ensuring the correct amount of refrigerant is present based on the manufacturer’s specifications. This term can also relate to refrigerant in a thermostatic expansion valve’s sensing bulb, which helps regulate the flow of refrigerant. If the charge is incorrect, the system may not cool or heat effectively and could even be damaged.