Signs You May Have a Freon Leak
If your air conditioner is blowing air that is less cool than you’d like, or the AC is blowing warm air all together, there is a chance that you could have a refrigerant leak in your AC system. Keep in mind, though, this issue could also be caused by other simple problems like needing to change your furnace filter.
A professional HVAC contractor can use an AC leak detector to determine if you have an AC refrigerant leak in your system. However, sealing that hole with a product like AC Leak Freeze is not a permanent fix.
Why is this not a long-term solution? More than likely, you’ll develop another Freon leak in the future as your system weakens from the first leak. We’ll discuss here when it makes sense to try to repair the leak or recharge the system.
Read more: Signs of a Freon Leak
Freon Leak Repair Options
1. Adding Refrigerant/”Charging” Your Air Conditioner
The first option is recharging your central AC unit. Adding refrigerant to your air conditioner is often a short term, and sometimes expensive, solution and will not fix the problem forever. However, it may get you through a cooling season and if your unit is not 10+ years old it will cost less than replacing it. There is really no way for a technician to know the speed of the leak so often there will be no guarantees on how long a freon charge will last.
If there is a Freon leak in your air conditioner, in most instances it will eventually leak out again and will need to be recharged again. The only time this is not the case is if the leak is due to a loose part that can be tightened. This is usually the case when the leak is occurring on a newly installed system. If the source of the leak can be found and easily fixed by tightening a part or a small solder, then it absolutely makes sense to repair and move on! If finding the source of the leak is difficult or impossible, if it is likely that there is more than one leak or if you have an old unit using expensive R22 refrigerant, then we would not recommend wasting money on recharging the AC.
Why HVAC Techs Can’t Just Recharge Every Year
The EPA has strict guidelines around refrigerant handling to prevent environmental harm and ensure systems are repaired properly. In many cases, technicians are not allowed to simply refill refrigerant without addressing the leak first, especially if the system exceeds certain leak rate thresholds. Certified HVAC professionals must follow regulations on how much refrigerant can be added, properly repair leaks, and document the work to stay compliant.
At Quality Comfort, we always try to locate the source of the leak before any recharge is done. If we cannot find the leak upon initial investigation using all tools available to us like electronic leak detectors, our technicians may use things like UV dye packs to monitor the leak moving forward. This will help tell us how fast your system is leaking. This ensures the problem is monitored moving forward, not just temporarily covered up.
How Long Will My AC Charge Last?
If you do choose to go with the option to recharge the refrigerant in your air conditioning system, there is no way to tell how long this recharge will provide you with cool air. It would depend on if the leak was found, if it was the only leak (often there are many small leaks) and how well the leak repair holds up (if you choose to have the technician put in the additional time to find the leak). Most HVAC companies do not provide any warranty for charging refrigerant for this reason.
2. Find the Source of Freon Leak and Repair It
If your system is newer, it may be easier for your technician to find the leak and repair it before adding refrigerant back into the system. Here are general steps that a professional HVAC technician would take to repair a freon leak in a central AC system:
Find the Leak
First, the technician uses specialized tools to track down where the refrigerant is escaping. Leaks are often found around coils, connections, or refrigerant lines.
Determine the Best Repair
Once the leak is found, the technician will determine whether it can be repaired or if a damaged part, such as a coil, needs to be replaced.
Repair and Test the System
After the repair is made, the system is tested to make sure the leak is sealed and there aren’t any additional leaks hiding elsewhere.
Recharge the Refrigerant
Once everything checks out, the system is prepared and recharged with the correct amount of refrigerant.
Make Sure Your AC Is Cooling Properly
Finally, the technician runs the system and checks temperatures, pressures, and overall performance to make sure your AC is cooling the way it should. In some cases, dye or other monitoring methods may also be used to help identify any leaks that develop later.
Remember, working with refrigerants is hazardous. If you suspect a freon leak in your central AC system, it’s best to contact a licensed HVAC professional to assess and repair the issue.
3. Replace the AC System
When a central air conditioning (AC) unit is over 10 years old and experiencing refrigerant leaks, it often makes more economic and practical sense to consider replacing the entire system rather than investing in repairs. Firstly, older AC units, especially those surpassing the decade mark, may use outdated refrigerants like R-22, which is being phased out due to environmental concerns. The scarcity and increasing costs associated with such refrigerants make repairs costlier. Additionally, advancements in technology have led to the development of more energy-efficient AC units. Newer models not only offer improved cooling performance but also contribute to reduced energy consumption, resulting in lower utility bills. The aging components of an older AC unit may become more prone to failures, and the cumulative cost of frequent repairs can quickly surpass the expense of a new system.
R22 Refrigerant Phased Out in 2020
Depending on the age of your system, your air conditioner needs a R22 or R410A type of refrigerant (or what you may know as “Freon.”) R22 stopped being produced in 2010 and is now no longer available. R410A refrigerant is the standard for all air conditioners made after 2010 and is much more affordable. The use of CFCs in R22, which are harmful to the environment, is one of a few reasons why the government mandated a halt to its production. If you have an R22 unit that is leaking refrigerant the best course of action is to replace it.
R410A Refrigerant Phasing Out Starting in 2025
Just as R22 was phased out due to environmental harm, R410A units are no longer being made as of January 1, 2025. Refrigerant is still currently available, but as the supply dwindles the price will increase substantially. R410A has been replaced with a new class of refrigerants called A2L. These new types of refrigerants are now the standard in all AC systems being produced. The government continues to push toward refrigerants that are more environmentally friendly, and this is another move toward protecting the environment.
When it’s Best to Repair A Refrigerant Leak or Replace Your AC
It all comes down to cost and what you are comfortable with on whether you should proceed with an air conditioner replacement or a refrigerant repair. With older systems, the cost to repair the Freon leak is going to be high due to the cost of refrigerant. With newer systems, this will be less expensive. The other factor that must be taken into consideration is what type of leak you had. Is this something that could only be repaired with Leak Freeze or was it as simple as tightening a part? If you have a refrigerant repair with a leak sealant, you can probably assume this won’t last more than one season and you’ll need yet another charge soon. However, you may decide it’s more cost effective for you to continue sealing the leak and recharging for a period of time if the charge seems to be lasting an entire cooling season and you’re using a newer, less expensive refrigerant.
Is It Better to Refill R22 or Replace the AC Unit?
If your system is older and uses R22 and adding more refrigerant is your only options for repair, it’s time to consider AC replacement. The cost for refill, if R22 is even available in your area, could be up to 1/2 the price or more of your new HVAC installation, so replacing your air conditioner with a fully-functioning, higher-efficiency model would save hundreds in future repair costs as well as energy bills.
Choose an honest AC service professional and rely on them to recommend the best course of action for your home and budget as well as provide you with all the information and options available to you.
AC Leak Repair Cincinnati
If you’re dealing with a refrigerant leak, don’t wait, small issues can quickly turn into expensive repairs or even system failure. Refrigerant leaks can impact your health, reduce cooling efficiency, and damage major components like the compressor if left untreated .
If you’re in Cincinnati or the surrounding area, Quality Comfort is here to help. Our licensed technicians can quickly locate the leak, make lasting repairs, and safely recharge your system so your home stays cool and comfortable. Call today or schedule your service online to get your AC back to peak performance.
