Flare joints at the indoor unit
Hand-made pipe flares behind the indoor unit are the classic weak point, especially after a rushed installation.
Air conditioning · Refrigerant and leaks
AC gas refill done right: find the leak, fix it, then recharge
An AC gas refill puts refrigerant back into a split unit that has lost some. Because the circuit is sealed, low gas always means a leak, so a qualified technician first finds and repairs it, then charges the system and checks its performance. The price depends on where the leak is, what repair it needs and how much refrigerant goes in. Send photos and the model label, and book by call, text or WhatsApp in English.
- Leak located before any refrigerant is added
- Repair explained and approved by you first
- Charge matched to the type on the label
- Qualified technician only, no shortcuts
The basics
Why refrigerant does not simply run out
Many people expect an air conditioner to need regular gas top-ups, like a car needs fuel. That is a common and expensive misunderstanding.
Refrigerant is not consumed while the unit works. It circulates endlessly through a closed loop of copper pipes, the compressor and two coils, changing between liquid and vapor as it carries heat out of the room. A correctly installed, undamaged system can keep the same charge for its entire life. If the level has dropped, the gas has escaped somewhere, and that leak is the real fault to fix.
Leaks vary a lot. A badly made joint can empty a new system within weeks, while a pinhole in an old coil may lose gas so slowly that cooling fades over several summers. Either way, adding gas without closing the hole only resets the clock.
Warning signs
Signs that the refrigerant level is low
Weak cooling has many causes, from dirty filters to a wrong mode setting. These signs point more specifically at lost refrigerant.
- Frost or ice on the thinner copper pipe or on the valves at the outdoor unit.
- Oily, dusty stains on pipe joints, the insulation or the outdoor valves, since refrigerant carries compressor oil with it.
- Cooling that got a little weaker every summer, with the compressor running almost nonstop.
- A faint hiss or bubbling sound near the indoor unit after it switches off.
- Certain error codes on inverter models, which the rating label and manual help identify.
If none of these fit, the problem may be simpler. Start with our AC not cooling guide, and if filters or fluff are to blame, the AC cleaning page explains the fix. Ice that melts when the unit stops can also drip down the wall, which is covered on our AC leaking water page.
Diagnosis
Finding the leak before any refill
A proper gas check is mostly detective work. The technician measures, looks, and then narrows the search down.
- 1
Pressure reading
Gauges on the service port show whether the system really is short of refrigerant, or whether the fault lies elsewhere.
- 2
Visual inspection
Flare nuts, valves, brazed joints and visible coil sections are checked for oil traces, corrosion and kinks.
- 3
Leak detection
An electronic detector or a bubble solution on the joints pinpoints where gas escapes. Small leaks can take patience.
- 4
Pressure test if needed
When the leak hides, the system can be filled with dry nitrogen and watched for a pressure drop.
- 5
Explanation and quote
You hear where the leak is, what the repair involves and whether a part must be bought, before work continues.
Where leaks are usually found
Outdoor service valves
Valve caps and stems on the outdoor unit can seep over time, and they are easy to check first.
Damaged pipes
Lines hit by a drill during renovation, crushed behind furniture or chafed on a sharp facade edge.
Corroded coils
Older coils can develop pinholes, particularly near a busy road or a kitchen exhaust.
Joints inside walls
A connection hidden in plaster during a renovation is the hardest to reach and may need a new route.
After a unit was moved
Relocation done without collecting the gas first, or with reused flares, often leaks within a season.
Money
Why a refill without a repair wastes money
A top-up without leak repair feels cheaper on the day. In practice the gas escapes again, you pay for the same visit next year or next month, and the compressor spends the months in between running short of refrigerant and oil. The compressor is the most expensive part of a split unit, and running it undercharged is one of the ways it wears out early.
| Approach | What happens | Result over time |
|---|---|---|
| Top up only | Gas is added through the service port, nothing else is checked | Cooling returns for a while, then fades again, and the cost repeats |
| Find, repair, charge | Leak located and fixed, lines tested, correct charge added | One bill, stable cooling, less strain on the compressor |
| Replace the unit | Makes sense when the leak is in a failed coil of a very old unit | A new start, compared honestly against repair costs |
For a unit your landlord owns, show them this difference with photos of the leak. Owners are usually more willing to pay for a lasting repair when they see it avoids repeat calls.
Gas types
R32, R410A and R22 in simple terms
The refrigerant type is printed on the rating label of the outdoor unit. A system must be charged with the type it was built for.
R32
Common in many newer split units. It is classed as mildly flammable, so it calls for suitable tools, good ventilation and no open flame nearby during work.
R410A
Widely used in units from the past couple of decades. It is a blend that works at high pressure and is normally charged as a liquid to keep its mix correct.
R22
Found in old units. It is being phased out internationally, so supply is limited and often costly, and a failing R22 system is frequently a candidate for replacement.
Refrigerants are never mixed or swapped casually. Putting a different gas into a system, or topping up an unknown blend, can damage the compressor and makes later repairs harder. After a repair that opens the circuit, the preferred practice is to evacuate the lines and weigh in the full charge stated on the label, rather than guessing.
Safety
Refrigerant safety for residents
Refrigerant sits under high pressure, and liquid escaping from a line can cause frostbite on skin and eyes. In a small closed room a large release can displace oxygen, and when refrigerant meets a flame or a very hot surface it can break down into harmful gases. None of this is a reason for panic, but it is why the circuit is only ever opened by a qualified technician.
- Do not loosen any nut, cap or valve on the copper lines, and do not try to tighten a hissing joint.
- Avoid do-it-yourself recharge cans; they add gas of uncertain type without fixing anything.
- If a pipe is damaged and hissing, switch the unit off, open the windows, leave the room and call a technician.
- Keep open flames and smoking away from a unit that is being repaired.
A refrigerant leak is not a natural gas leak. If you smell household gas, leave the flat and call 112 from outside. If there is smoke or fire, call 112.
Booking
How a gas check visit is organized
Send the label photo and a short history of the unit. From that we judge whether a leak search is likely to be quick or involved, and we confirm the starting cost and the day. Urgent availability is confirmed on the call. On site the technician measures first and explains before repairing, so you or your landlord can decide with full information. Parts are usually bought by the customer unless agreed otherwise, and payment is agreed when booking.
If the leak traces back to a poor original installation, it may be worth reviewing the whole route; our air conditioner installation page describes what a careful job looks like. For every other fault, start at the AC repair and service hub.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How much does an AC gas refill cost in Tbilisi?
It depends on the leak repair, the refrigerant type and the amount needed. A check on an R22 unit, for example, is a different story from a newer R32 model. You get an estimate after sending photos and the label details.
Can you just top up the gas without looking for the leak?
We explain why that rarely makes sense. The technician's job is to find where the gas went, because a refill on its own usually fades within months.
How often should an air conditioner need gas?
Ideally never. A sealed, well-installed system keeps its charge, so any need for gas is a sign of a leak.
My unit was refilled last year and is weak again. Why?
The leak was probably not repaired. Tell us when the last refill happened and how long cooling lasted, since that helps estimate the size of the leak.
What if my unit uses R22?
Repair is sometimes still possible, but supply is limited and the unit is usually old. The technician will compare the repair cost with replacing the unit so you can decide.
Is refrigerant dangerous to my family?
Normal operation is safe. A damaged, hissing pipe should be treated with caution: switch off, ventilate, leave the room and call a technician. Never touch the lines yourself.
Can I explain the problem in English?
Yes. You can call, text or WhatsApp in English, and a written summary of the diagnosis can be forwarded to your landlord.
Contact
Book a refrigerant check
A photo of the rating label and a short history of the unit are enough to begin.
Send a short description
Mention the refrigerant type if you know it, the district, the floor and when the unit was last refilled.
Next step
Stop paying for the same refill twice
Send the label photo, and we will tell you how the leak search would go.