If your air conditioner "just needs Freon" every summer, the real problem is a leak. A central air or heat pump system is sealed. Refrigerant isn't used up like fuel, so when the charge is low, it has escaped somewhere. This page explains how leaks are found and fixed, why repeated top-offs are a poor long-term plan, and what the refrigerant transition does and doesn't mean for your existing system. Requests you send through this site go to an independent contractor licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). We don't do the work ourselves.
Signs of a refrigerant leak
- The system runs for long stretches but the house never gets as cool as the thermostat setting.
- Ice or frost on the copper line at the outdoor unit, or on the indoor coil.
- Water around the indoor unit after the ice melts.
- A hissing or bubbling sound near the coil or line set.
- A technician has added refrigerant before and the problem came back.
Ice on the lines can also come from a clogged filter or a weak blower, so a frozen coil isn't proof of a leak. If you see ice, switch the thermostat to Off (leave the fan on if you like) and let it thaw before anyone tests the system. Running a frozen system can damage the compressor.
How a contractor finds the leak
Licensed technicians typically confirm the charge with pressure and temperature readings, then look for the leak with electronic detectors, bubble solution, UV dye, or by isolating sections of the system under nitrogen pressure. Common leak spots include the indoor evaporator coil, flare and brazed joints, Schrader valve cores, and line sets that rub against framing or were damaged by lawn equipment.
Some leaks are small and hard to locate. A good contractor will tell you plainly what they found, what they didn't find, and what testing would cost before going further.
Repair, top-off or replace?
- Repair the leak, then recharge. This is the proper fix when the leak is at an accessible joint, valve core or a short section of line. Good practice is to repair, replace the filter drier when appropriate, pull a deep vacuum, and weigh in a correct charge.
- Top-off only. Adding refrigerant without fixing anything treats the symptom. It may get you through a hot spell, but most leaks get worse over time, and you'll pay for refrigerant again.
- Coil or system replacement. A leaking evaporator coil on an older system is often the point where homeowners weigh a replacement instead of a repair.
The refrigerant transition, in plain terms
Federal EPA rules under the AIM Act ended the manufacture of new residential split systems that use high global-warming refrigerants such as R-410A, starting January 1, 2025. New equipment now uses lower-GWP refrigerants such as R-454B or R-32. Your existing R-410A system isn't banned. It can still be legally serviced and repaired, and R-410A is still sold for service, though supply is shrinking. The new refrigerants can't simply be added to an R-410A system. Older R-22 systems are a different story: R-22 production ended in 2020, so service refrigerant for those systems is scarce.
Be cautious if anyone tells you your working system is "illegal" or must be replaced immediately because of the refrigerant. You can read the rule yourself at epa.gov.
Who can handle refrigerant
Under federal Clean Air Act Section 608, only EPA-certified technicians may buy and handle refrigerant for these systems, and in Texas the contracting company must hold a TDLR air conditioning and refrigeration license. You can check a company's license at tdlr.texas.gov.
How a request works
Tell us your town, what the system is doing, and whether it has been recharged before. We'll forward it to an independent licensed contractor who serves your area, and they'll contact you to schedule a diagnosis and quote.
Refrigerant Leak Repair FAQs
My AC needs Freon every year. Is that normal?
No. The refrigerant system is sealed, so needing more refrigerant means it's leaking. Yearly top-offs treat the symptom, and leaks usually get worse.
Is it OK to just recharge it?
A recharge can get you through a hot stretch, but it's a short-term fix. The proper repair is to find and fix the leak, evacuate the system and weigh in the correct charge.
Is R-410A banned?
No. New R-410A equipment is no longer manufactured, but existing R-410A systems can still be legally repaired and serviced. Be wary of anyone who says otherwise to push a replacement.
Can my old system use the new refrigerant?
No. R-454B and R-32 aren't drop-in replacements for R-410A. Mixing refrigerants isn't allowed and can damage the system.
Why is my AC line frozen?
Ice can come from low refrigerant, a dirty filter or coil, or a blower problem. Turn the system off, let it thaw, replace the filter, and request service if it comes back.