Re-gas your air conditioning.

Restoring the correct refrigerant levels ensures your system runs efficiently, reducing energy bills and preventing expensive damage to the compressor. In the UK, this work is strictly regulated to prevent harmful gases from escaping into the atmosphere.

What Does the Work Involve?

• System Diagnostic: The engineer inspects the unit to confirm low refrigerant levels and identifies potential leak points.
• Refrigerant Recovery: Any remaining gas is safely extracted using a recovery pump and stored in a sealed cylinder.
• Pressure Testing: The system is pressurised with oxygen-free nitrogen (OFN) to find leaks; this is a legal requirement before refilling.
• Vacuum Evacuation: A vacuum pump removes all air and moisture from the pipework, which is essential for system longevity.
• Recharging: The precise weight of refrigerant (typically R32 or R410A) is added to the system using digital scales.
• Performance Testing: The engineer checks operating pressures, temperatures, and "superheat" levels to ensure peak performance.

Typical Costs

The cost of re-gassing depends heavily on the type of refrigerant used and the complexity of the leak repair. Modern R32 gas is generally more affordable and eco-friendly than the older R410A standard.

Prices often increase for "Multi-split" systems (one outdoor unit connected to several indoor units) or if the outdoor condenser is located in a difficult-to-reach area, such as a high wall or roof, requiring specialist access equipment.

How Long Does It Take?

• Basic Re-gas: 1.5 to 2.5 hours for a standard single-unit system.
• Complex Leak Detection: 3 to 5 hours if the leak is tiny and requires UV dye or electronic "sniffers."
• Multi-Split Systems: 4+ hours, as each indoor unit and its corresponding pipework must be checked.

DIY or Professional?

Professional only. It is illegal in the UK for anyone without an F-Gas certificate to handle, recover, or top up air conditioning refrigerants. DIY "top-up" kits sold online are often ineffective and can cause permanent damage to your system's internal valves.

Under the UK F-Gas Regulations, homeowners have a legal responsibility to ensure that any work involving refrigerants is carried out by a certified professional.

Choosing the Right Tradesperson

• Check the F-Gas Register: Ensure the company or individual is registered with REFCOM or Quidos.
• Specialist Tools: A professional should always arrive with a vacuum pump, recovery unit, and digital scales—not just a canister of gas.
• Ask about Guarantees: A reputable engineer will offer a guarantee on the leak repair, not just the gas they added.

• Are you personally F-Gas certified?
• Will you perform a nitrogen pressure test before adding new gas?
• Does the quote include the cost of the refrigerant and the disposal of old gas?
• Can you provide a service report or update my F-Gas logbook?

UK Regulations

• F-Gas Regulations: All engineers must hold a valid Category 1 F-Gas certificate to work on stationary cooling equipment.
• Hazardous Waste: Recovered refrigerant is classified as hazardous waste; your engineer must provide a waste transfer note if they remove old gas from your site.
• Part P (Building Regs): If the re-gassing involves replacing electrical components like the compressor or fan motor, the work may need to comply with electrical safety standards.

Common Problems

• Topping up without fixing the leak: If a leak isn't found, the new gas will simply leak out again, wasting your money and harming the environment.
• Overcharging the system: Adding too much gas puts immense strain on the compressor, potentially leading to a total system burnout.
• Air/Moisture Contamination: If the engineer fails to pull a deep vacuum, moisture left in the pipes can turn into acid, corroding the system from the inside out.
• Wrong Gas Type: Mixing different types of refrigerant (e.g., R22 with R410A) will cause immediate mechanical failure.

Frequently Asked Questions