An aircon is a sealed system. Unlike a car’s fuel, the refrigerant isn’t used up — it circulates for the life of the unit. If the gas is low, there is a leak.
Signs of low refrigerant
- The aircon runs but cools weakly, or blows lukewarm air.
- Ice forms on the pipes or the indoor coil.
- Hissing or bubbling sounds.
- Oily marks at pipe joints.
- Water leaking indoors after the ice melts.
The right repair
A proper repair finds and fixes the leak, pressure-tests the pipes, vacuums the system and recharges the correct refrigerant by weight, as listed on the unit’s label. Just “topping up” without fixing the leak wastes money and the gas escapes again. Use a technician registered with SAQCC Gas.
How often does an aircon need regassing?
Never, if it was installed correctly and nothing is damaged. A unit that needs gas every season has a leak that should be repaired.
Is regassing an old R22 aircon worth it?
Often not. R22 is being phased out and is increasingly expensive. If an R22 unit needs a leak repair and regas, compare the cost with a new R32 inverter, which also costs less to run.