General HVAC
Refrigerant Leak
An unintended escape of refrigerant from your AC or heat pump system through cracks, corrosion, or failed connections in the refrigerant lines, coils, or fittings.
What Is a Refrigerant Leak?
Refrigerant leaks can occur in the evaporator coil, condenser coil, refrigerant lines, or at connection fittings. Common causes include vibration fatigue, corrosion from formaldehyde or other chemicals in the air, manufacturing defects, and physical damage. Signs of a refrigerant leak include reduced cooling, ice on the refrigerant line or evaporator coil, hissing sounds, and higher-than-normal electricity bills. Leaks can range from tiny pinholes that lose refrigerant over months to major failures that empty the system in hours.
Why It Matters for Your Home
Simply 'topping off' refrigerant without finding and repairing the leak is like adding oil to a car with a leak without fixing the leak — it's an expensive temporary fix that doesn't solve the problem. The refrigerant will leak out again. A proper approach is to locate the leak using electronic leak detectors or UV dye, repair it, then recharge the system to the correct amount. If the leak is in the evaporator coil, replacement may be more cost-effective than repair.
Suspect a refrigerant leak? Call Trademark Tek at 541-500-0663 for real diagnosis, not band-aid fixes.
Quick Facts
Category
General HVAC
Also Known As
Refrigerant Leak
