AC refrigerant leak repair in York, PA
If your air conditioner is low on refrigerant, it has a leak. Refrigerant isn’t used up like fuel, so a system that needs more has lost it somewhere. Anytime Heating & Cooling finds and repairs refrigerant (Freon) leaks in central air conditioners and heat pumps across greater York, PA, then recharges the system to the right level. Call (717) 758-8664, 24 hours a day.
4.9 from 108 Google reviews · Answered 24/7
I purchased a house in March, when the weather started getting warm I noticed my system wasn’t keeping up. My realtor recommended Anytime and I’m so glad he did. They came out quickly, charged me a fair price and gave me no nonsense answers.”
Rheem installation specialists. Service for every major brand.
- Rheem
- Carrier
- Lennox
- Goodman
- Daikin
- Mitsubishi Electric
Signs your AC is low on refrigerant
Several of these have other causes too, like a dirty filter. Checking the pressures confirms whether the charge is low.
Warm air from the vents
- Usually caused by
- Not enough refrigerant to carry heat out of the house, usually from a slow leak at a joint, valve or coil.
- What we do
- Measure pressures and temperatures to confirm the charge is low before anything gets added.
Ice on the copper lines or indoor coil
- Usually caused by
- Low refrigerant drops the coil’s temperature until moisture freezes on it. Restricted airflow can do the same.
- What we do
- Let it thaw, rule out airflow, then test for a leak.
Hissing or bubbling near the unit
- Usually caused by
- Refrigerant escaping from a crack, a loose fitting or a worn valve core.
- What we do
- Pinpoint the leak, then repair or replace the part.
It needs a recharge every summer
- Usually caused by
- A slow leak that was topped off rather than fixed.
- What we do
- Find and fix the leak so the charge holds.
Longer run times, higher bills
- Usually caused by
- A system low on refrigerant runs longer to move the same heat, and the compressor runs hotter.
- What we do
- Restore the correct charge after the repair, and check the compressor.
Sound like yours? Tell us what it’s doing and we’ll find the real cause.
After hours? See emergency service
Where AC refrigerant leaks start
- Indoor evaporator coil
- The most common spot. Thin copper tubing corrodes over time into pinhole leaks. Some coils can be repaired; many are replaced.
- Outdoor condenser coil
- Weather, vibration and debris wear on the outdoor coil, and a damaged fin or tube can leak.
- Service valves and ports
- The valves where gauges connect have small cores and caps that wear and seep. Usually a quick, inexpensive repair.
- Line set and joints
- The copper lines between the units, and the brazed joints along them, can crack from vibration or get damaged outside.
How we fix a refrigerant leak
Find the leak
Confirm the charge is low, then track the leak down with an electronic detector, bubble solution or a pressure test, depending on where it hides.
Repair it
Fix the joint, valve or line, or replace the coil if it can’t be repaired. You’ll get the options and the cost before any work starts.
Test and recharge
Pressure-test the repair, pull a vacuum to clear air and moisture, then charge the system to the manufacturer’s spec and check it cools.
Fix the leak or replace the AC?
Most leaks on a younger system are worth fixing. On an older one, a big leak repair can be most of the way to a new system.
How old is your air conditioner?Typical life: 12 to 15 years
Slide to its age to see which side fits
Usually repair if…
- The system is under about 10 to 12 years old
- The leak is at a valve, fitting or joint
- It has cooled well, and this is the first leak
Consider replacing if…
- It uses R-22 refrigerant, which is no longer made
- The coil is leaking on a system 12 to 15 years old or more
- It has needed recharges before, or the compressor is struggling
You’ll get both options and the numbers, and the choice is yours.
What customers say about our AC repair
4.9 from 108 Google reviewsThese guys are fantastic! They respond quickly and are friendly, trustworthing, and know how to fix issues! Most recently we needed help with an air conditioner that wasn’t working.”
Shannon C. I called Anytime Heating and Cooling this morning and he showed up this afternoon. I give them a 5 star review for quick response and fantastic pricing. They have been my go to for a/c for the past 10 years.”
Leah B.
FAQ
Refrigerant leak repair questions
Browse all our FAQsCan you just recharge my AC with Freon?
Refrigerant doesn’t get used up, so if the system is low, it’s leaking. A recharge without a repair gets you cooling again, but the refrigerant leaks back out, often within weeks or months. We find the leak first. On an old system with a very slow leak, a recharge can be a reasonable stopgap while you plan a replacement, and we’ll tell you if that’s the case.
How do I know if my AC has a refrigerant leak?
Common signs are warm air from the vents, ice on the copper lines or indoor coil, a hissing sound near the unit, and a system that needs a recharge every year. A dirty filter can cause some of the same symptoms, so check that first. Only a pressure check confirms the charge is low.
Is a refrigerant leak dangerous?
A small leak from a home air conditioner usually isn’t a health emergency, but it will hurt the system: a compressor running low on refrigerant overheats and can fail, which is the most expensive repair on an AC. Turn the system off if the coil is iced up. If you smell a strong chemical odor indoors, open windows and call.
What if my AC uses R-22 refrigerant?
R-22, the old Freon, hasn’t been made or imported in the U.S. since 2020, so what’s left is scarce and expensive. A small R-22 leak can still be repaired, but on a leaking R-22 system, replacing it with a new system usually makes more sense than refilling it.
Do you fix refrigerant leaks in heat pumps?
Yes. A heat pump has the same refrigerant circuit as an air conditioner, so finding and repairing a leak works the same way. Call (717) 758-8664.
Related services
Where we work
Refrigerant leak repair across greater York, PA, including East York, Hallam, Hellam, York, Springettsbury, Emigsville, Red Lion, Dallastown, Spry, East Manchester, Manchester, West York and more. See our service area.