If your aircon isn’t cooling anymore, the first thing you probably think of is, “Maybe it just needs freon.” Many homeowners and business owners in Imus, Cavite think the same way. Some even message us asking, “How much is freon charging?” Others book a cleaning and ask us to add freon “just in case,” because their previous technician did the same thing.
Here’s our honest answer: we don’t charge just freon, and we don’t recommend it.
Freon doesn’t run out
The refrigerant inside your aircon (commonly called freon) works in a sealed, closed system. It isn’t fuel, and it isn’t used up like gasoline. It’s designed to last for the entire life of the unit and has no expiration.
So if your aircon is low on refrigerant, the real question isn’t “how much freon do I need?” It’s “where did it go?”
Why an aircon loses refrigerant
1. Relocation or reinstallation. When a unit is moved, the lines are disconnected and some refrigerant is lost in the process. In this case, a recharge is normal and expected.
2. Leaks. This is by far the most common cause. Even a tiny pinhole in the copper tubing or a loose flare connection can slowly drain the refrigerant. Leaks are especially common in units located:
- Near the ocean, rivers, creeks, or canals. Salty, humid air speeds up corrosion on the copper coils and connections, which eventually creates tiny holes.
- Near salons. Hairspray, aerosols, and cleaning chemicals in the air can corrode the coils.
- Near factories or industrial areas. Chemical fumes in the air can slowly eat away at the metal.
Why just adding freon is a bad fix
If your unit is low on refrigerant because of a leak, topping it up doesn’t fix the leak. It only refills what already escaped. The new freon leaks out too, usually within weeks or months. Then the aircon stops cooling again, you pay for another recharge, and the cycle repeats. You end up spending more over time while the real problem gets worse.
The right solution: leak testing and system reprocess
A proper fix has two parts.
Leak testing. We pressurize the system and inspect the coils, pipes, and connections to find exactly where the refrigerant is escaping. Once we find it, we repair it by re-flaring, replacing a section of pipe, or brazing the damaged spot.
System reprocess. After the leak is fixed, we vacuum the entire system to remove air, moisture, and any contaminants inside. Air and moisture reduce cooling performance and can damage the compressor. Then we recharge the system with the exact amount of refrigerant the manufacturer specifies, measured by weight and not guessed.
With this process, the cooling problem is solved at its source, so you don’t keep paying for the same repair.
Know what you’re paying for
Be careful with anyone who offers to add freon without finding out why your aircon lost it in the first place, because a quick top-up that only lasts a few weeks costs you more in the end.
Message Airzonex Airconditioning Services today to book a proper leak test and aircon service in Imus, Cavite.
Leave a Reply