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Air Conditioner Refrigerant Leak Detection & Repair
Fast, Compliant, and Professional Service from EPA-Certified Experts
If your air conditioner isn’t keeping up—and you suspect a refrigerant leak—MightyServ is here to help. Our licensed HVAC professionals provide thorough leak detection, diagnostic testing, and legal refrigerant handling in full compliance with EPA regulations. Whether you’re experiencing weak airflow, rising energy bills, or system shutdowns, we’ll pinpoint the issue and provide expert repair or replacement recommendations that fit your system and your home.
With years of experience servicing homes and businesses across the San Fernando Valley and Greater Los Angeles areas, we’re trusted for honest guidance, safe practices, and long-term comfort solutions.
What Happens When Your AC Loses Refrigerant?
If your air conditioner stops cooling and you discover a refrigerant leak, you’re not alone. Refrigerant can leak slowly over time—often unnoticed until the system can no longer keep up. This is especially common if routine maintenance is skipped, allowing small issues to grow into larger problems.
Once a leak starts, the system will begin to lose capacity until it cannot cool at all. Unfortunately, recharging it without addressing the leak is a short-term (and costly) fix.
Why it’s regulated:
- Environmental impact: Refrigerants like R-22 and R-410A contribute to ozone depletion or are classified as greenhouse gases.
- Health & safety: Leaking systems can become hazardous if mishandled.
- Accountability: Licensed HVAC companies are required to do everything possible to handle refrigerant in a responsible manner, including recommending leak repairs when a leak is found.
Our Leak Detection Process
Finding a refrigerant leak isn’t always straightforward. Small or hidden leaks—especially inside evaporator coils or underground line sets—can take time and specialized tools to diagnose.
What technicians may do:
- Nitrogen pressure testing: This involves pressurizing the system with dry nitrogen to detect a pressure drop and locate leaks. It’s reliable—but it adds to your diagnostic costs.
- Electronic sniffers or dye tests: Technicians may use leak detection tools or introduce UV dye into the system to pinpoint the problem area.
- Isolation: In some cases, parts of the system must be separated and tested individually to determine where the leak is coming from.
Leak detection can take hours, and depending on your system, this process may cost $150 to $900 or more, separate from any repair or replacement.
Can You Just Replace the Evaporator Coil?
If the leak is traced to the evaporator coil, that part alone can be replaced—but only if it’s compatible with your existing system.
Key considerations:
- Systems using R-22 are outdated and should be replaced entirely.
- Systems with R-410A can sometimes have the coil swapped, but only if it matches the outdoor unit’s efficiency, refrigerant type, and capacity.
- Mismatched systems can reduce performance, cause long-term damage, and void warranties.
When Should You Replace the Entire AC Unit?
A full replacement may be the smarter move if:
- You have a refrigerant leak.
- Your system is over 12 years old
- It uses an older refrigerant including R-22 or R-410 refrigerant
- The system is inefficient
- You want a new warranty
The Bottom Line
If you’re facing a refrigerant leak and potential coil or system replacement:
- Ask your technician if the leak is repairable and where it’s located
- Get clarity on detection and diagnostic costs
- Get clarity on potential repair costs which are always in addition to diagnostic costs
- Confirm whether the indoor and outdoor units are compatible
- Understand the legal and environmental rules around refrigerant recharging
Being informed helps you avoid repeat issues, unexpected costs, and ensures your system is fixed the right way—legally, safely, and for the long term.
At MightyServ, we help homeowners and property managers navigate refrigerant issues with transparency, technical skill, and EPA-certified service. From accurate diagnostics to honest repair or replacement guidance, our team ensures your cooling system is handled the right way—safely, legally, and built to last.
If you’re dealing with a leak, don’t wait. Schedule a refrigerant inspection today and let our experts restore your comfort with confidence.
