Low Refrigerant Is Never the Real Problem. It Is a Symptom.
Here is the honest version, before you spend money on a quick top-off: refrigerant does not just run low over time. If your system needs more, it is leaking somewhere. Recharging without finding that leak cools your home for a while and then leaves you calling again in a few months. We would rather find the leak first.
How a refrigerant service works with Aero
1
Diagnose
We check the refrigerant charge against system specs and look for the source of the leak.
2
Report
You get a plain-language explanation of what we found and where the leak is, if there is one.
3
Decide
We give you a price to repair the leak and a separate price to recharge, so you can choose with full information.
4
Repair
If you approve the repair, we fix the leak point before adding refrigerant.
5
Recharge
The system is recharged to the correct level and tested for performance.
Signs your system is low on refrigerant
The air coming from the vents is not as cold as it used to be
The system runs longer than normal but the house never quite gets comfortable
You notice a hissing sound near the indoor or outdoor unit
Ice forms on the refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil
Your energy bill has gone up while cooling performance has gone down
A bubbling or gurgling sound near the refrigerant lines
If any of these sound familiar, it's time to call
Systems rarely fail without warning. Catching it early is almost always cheaper than an after-hours repair.
Pricing for leak detection and recharge
Diagnosis and leak detection are priced up front, before any refrigerant is added. If a repair is needed, you will see that price separately and approve it before we proceed. Refrigerant pricing depends on the type your system uses and how much it needs. Older systems that use a refrigerant being phased out of new production can cost more to recharge simply because that refrigerant is harder to source, which is one more reason a leak search matters before you commit to another top-off. Ask about payment options if the repair is larger than expected.
Refrigerant problems get worse in the heat
A system running low struggles hardest exactly when you need it most, during a July heat wave. Catching a slow leak in spring, during a tune-up, is far less stressful than discovering it mid-summer when the house will not cool down at all.
Refrigerant recharge FAQ
Have more questions? Give us a call.