A refrigerant leak means the system is losing the fluid that moves heat out of your house, and adding more does not fix the hole. Refrigerant is sealed in a loop and is not used up like fuel. If the charge is low, something leaked. The lasting fix is for a licensed pro to find the leak and repair or replace the part, and Climate Pros Tucson can match you with one.

What are the signs of a refrigerant leak?

The most common signs are weak cooling, ice on the lines or coil, and a system that runs and runs. A leak lowers the pressure in the loop, so the indoor coil gets too cold in places and the air that reaches your rooms is not cool.

  • Air from the vents is cool but not cold, and the house will not catch up on a Tucson afternoon.
  • Ice or frost on the copper line outside or on the indoor coil.
  • A hissing or bubbling sound near the indoor coil or the outdoor unit.
  • Higher electric bills with no change in how you use the AC.
  • A system that runs for long stretches and never shuts off.

Several of these also show up with a dirty filter, a dirty coil or a failing part, so they do not prove a leak. Only a pro with gauges and leak-detection tools can confirm it. See AC blowing warm air for the other usual causes.

Why is a top-off not a repair?

A top-off treats the symptom and leaves the leak. The refrigerant you add escapes through the same hole, and the cooling fades again. In the meantime a low charge makes the compressor work harder, which is a poor trade in a place with about 68 days a year at or above 100F.

A real repair has three parts: find the leak, fix or replace the leaking part, then charge the system to the amount the manufacturer specifies. Ask the pro how the leak was located and whether they can show you where it is.

What does it mean for an older unit?

The refrigerant in your unit decides your options. R-22 production and import ended in the US on January 1, 2020, and existing R-22 systems may still be serviced with recycled or previously produced refrigerant. R-410A systems can still be serviced too. The EPA rule does not ban R-410A for service.

An older unit with a leak is a repair-or-replace decision, and the pro should lay out both. The repair or replace AC guide walks through the trade-offs, and R-22 vs R-410A vs R-454B explains what each refrigerant means for you. Technicians who handle refrigerant must hold EPA Section 608 certification, so ask. Get the repair and the replacement priced in a written quote before you choose.

What can you do while you wait?

Turn the system off if you see ice, and let it thaw before you run it again. Running an iced coil can damage the compressor. Replace a dirty filter, keep the outdoor unit clear of debris, and do not try to add refrigerant yourself. Handling it takes certification and the right equipment.

Read about an AC freezing up for what is safe to check. For the repair itself, see our AC repair service and the Tucson HVAC hub.

When to call us

If your cooling is weak and you suspect a leak, call (520) 353-2520 and we’ll match you with a licensed local pro.