If an air conditioning unit is not cooling properly, topping up the refrigerant gas may sound like a quick fix. In most cases it is not.
Refrigerant does not get used up in a sealed system. If the gas level is low, there is usually a leak that needs to be found.
Why topping up is a poor repair
Adding more refrigerant without finding the leak can leave the customer with the same fault again a few weeks later. It can also allow air and moisture into the system, which may damage the compressor and other parts.
Signs the unit may have a leak
- weak cooling
- ice on pipework or coils
- hissing sounds near the unit
- higher electricity use
- repeated need for recharging
What a proper repair involves
A qualified engineer should leak-test the system, repair the leak where practical, vacuum the pipework and recharge the system with the correct refrigerant quantity.
That is better for the equipment, better for running costs and the right approach under F-Gas rules.
If your air conditioning has stopped cooling, EnviroCare can inspect the system and explain whether repair or replacement is the sensible route.