Do I Need a Freon Charge? | Recharge Central AC

How Often Should My Air Conditioner Need a Freon Charge

Do home air conditioners need Freon?

Yes, most AC units today need Freon to work properly. However, after the initial installation, they only need more Freon if there’s a leak. If you notice your refrigerant levels are low and you’ve had your system for years, there's a good chance you have a leak.

The air conditioning refrigerant process

In today’s world, most AC units come right from the manufacturer with the perfect amount of Freon. This should get the system through its entire life. If something goes wrong with your unit, this is the only time when you’ll need a Freon charge or “fill up”.

Refrigerant is a chemical that absorbs and releases heat from the air. Freon is found inside copper coils that travel from the indoor unit to the outdoor unit. The indoor system is called the evaporator, while the outdoor unit is called the condenser. As these coils run in a closed circuit, refrigerant is unable to escape. That said, if you’re low on Freon, there has to be a leak somewhere in the coils.

Do you have a leak? Here are the signs

Knowing if you have a Freon leak isn’t always easy. Pay attention to any of these signs that may indicate you have a leak:



• Ice on refrigerant lines
• Frozen evaporator coil
• Hissing or bubbling sounds from refrigerant lines
• Unusually-high utility bills
• Vents blowing warm or hot air

Notice any of these signs? If so, call a trusted HVAC professional. If you think you need to recharge central AC unit, these experts can diagnose the issue and solve the problem right away. And if you do need to recharge home AC refrigerant, the Freon cost is pretty affordable, so it won’t be much money out of your pocket.

Do you pay for a Freon charge every year?

Unfortunately, every single summer, tons of homeowners pay for refrigerant as a way to recharge central AC. These people typically follow this process:

1. They notice their air conditioner is blowing warm air
2. An HVAC technician says they need more Freon
3. The tech puts 1-2 pounds in their system (called a “Freon charge”)
4. The air conditioner works great for the whole summer
5. When next summer rolls around, they repeat steps 1-4

While you may think you’re doing the right thing for your system, your unit could have a refrigerant leak that needs to be repaired. As an AC unit only needs more Freon if there’s a leak, you could be wasting your money every summer. Instead, it’s usually a better option to tackle the problem at hand and fix the leak. 



Unfortunately, some HVAC service providers will try to scam you and say you need more Freon. On the other hand, they may not know any better. This is why you want to find a trusted, reputable HVAC service provider. Instead of simply throwing more refrigerant in your system and charging you a steep Freon cost, a skilled air conditioning pro should actually spend some time troubleshooting the problem. On some occasions, low refrigerant may not be the leading concern of your system.

Suspect a leak? Follow these tips

Are you noticing warm air from your vents in the middle of summer? Unfortunately, there could be a Freon leak. 

Follow these steps to fix the issue right away:

Contact a pro

If you think you have a refrigerant leak, the first step is to call an HVAC professional. They should find the root of the problem and decide if it is, in fact, a Freon leak. Before starting the process, the tech will likely give you a cost for locating the issue.

Fixing the leak

If there’s a Freon leak in your copper coils, the professional should then give you an estimate for fixing the problem. This price can vary depending on where the leak is located and how serious it is. Typically, an HVAC expert will follow these steps to eliminate the issue:

• Use a dye or special equipment to locate the leak 
• Remove or drain all Freon from the system
• Repair the leak
• Recharge central AC unit by adding more Freon
• Testing the unit to ensure it works properly

If these steps are handled by a reputable HVAC technician, then your system should be up and running in no time. However, if the leak is too severe, you may be better off replacing your entire unit. But making that decision does depend on several factors, including:

• Repair costs
• Age of the unit
• Severity of the issue

It’s important to weigh your options to make the best decision for your needs.

In order to check for refrigerant leaks and other system issues, be sure to schedule AC maintenance at least once a year. If you ever suspect a leak, follow the tips in this post to solve the problem right away.