Air Conditioning · Nationwide
Refrigerant leak detection and repair
An air conditioner doesn't use up refrigerant. If it's low, there's a leak. The fix is to find the leak with an electronic detector, bubble test or nitrogen pressure test, repair it, then evacuate and recharge to the correct weight.
- Same-day appointments when available
- Licensed HVAC contractors
- Written price before any repair
Common leak points are the indoor evaporator coil (formicary corrosion), Schrader valve cores, brazed joints, and line sets rubbing on roof decks or block walls. Adding refrigerant every summer without fixing the leak costs more over time and is worse for the environment.
R-22 systems are a special case. Production ended in 2020, so R-22 is expensive and only available from recovered stock. A big leak on an R-22 system is usually the point to replace it.
Refrigerant Leak Repair at a glance
- Category
- Air Conditioning
- Service area
- Nationwide
- Typical visit
- Confirm the charge → Find the leak → Repair or replace the part → Evacuate and weigh in
- Urgent help
- Scheduled service
- Equipment covered
- Evaporator coils, Condenser coils, Line sets, Service valves, Schrader cores
Symptoms
Signs you need refrigerant leak repair
- Ice on the suction line or coil
- Hissing or bubbling near the lines
- AC runs longer and cools less
- Oily residue on coil joints
- The tech told you it was low last year too
Process
How the visit works
- 1
Confirm the charge
Pressures, superheat and subcooling show whether it's actually low.
- 2
Find the leak
Electronic detector, bubble solution, UV dye or a nitrogen standing test.
- 3
Repair or replace the part
Braze a joint, replace a valve core, or replace the coil if it's corroded.
- 4
Evacuate and weigh in
Vacuum to the right micron level and charge by weight.
Cost
What affects the price
Every contractor sets their own prices. These are the things that move the number. Ask for a written price before work starts.
- Leak location and access
- Refrigerant type and pounds needed
- Coil warranty status
- Whether a nitrogen pressure test is needed
Before the tech arrives
What you can safely do
Safe to try
- Turn the system off if it's icing
- Look for oily spots on visible copper
Stop and call
- Refrigerant handling requires EPA 608 certification
- Never use 'AC stop leak' cans
FAQ
Refrigerant Leak Repair questions
How often should I need to add refrigerant?+
Never. A sealed system holds its charge for life. If it needs refrigerant, there is a leak that should be found and repaired.
Can my R-22 system use a different refrigerant?+
Some drop-in substitutes exist, but they change performance and may affect warranties. Many owners use a leak on an R-22 system as the reason to replace it.
Refrigerant Leak Repair by state
Related
Related services
Guides
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