Refrigerant Leak Detection in Houston starts with finding the exact spot your AC is losing charge, not just topping it off. We test coils, line sets, and fittings with electronic detectors and thermal imaging, then repair the leak and verify the system holds pressure. If your system ices up, blows warm air, or needs Freon every season, our Houston refrigerant Leak Detection team can pinpoint the problem and get your cooling back before the next heat wave.
Tell us what is happening. Our local team will confirm your visit shortly.
Call Now 8328394984 → No spam. No obligation. Just practical help.
Refrigerant Leak Detection in Houston is a diagnostic service that locates where an air conditioning system is losing refrigerant, using electronic sniffers, thermal imaging, pressure testing, and tracer gas to isolate the leak before any recharge. A sealed system should never lose charge. When it does, the refrigerant escapes through a pinhole in the evaporator coil, a rubbed line set, a loose Schrader valve, or a brazed joint that cracked. We test the whole circuit, not just the easy-to-reach parts.
Houston summers push AC systems harder than almost anywhere in Texas. A system that runs 10 to 12 hours a day at 95°F ambient will show a small leak fast, and a unit that is 2 pounds low on R-410A can lose 20 to 30 percent of its cooling capacity. Homeowners in Memorial and the Energy Corridor often call us after a tech has added refrigerant twice in two seasons. That pattern is the tell. If you are searching for refrigerant leak Detection near me Houston, we test the system and tell you exactly where it is leaking.
Every refrigerant diagnostic includes the full test and a written finding. If you approve the repair, we handle the fix and the recharge in the same visit when parts are on the truck. Here is what is covered.
We connect pressure testing gauges and record suction and liquid line pressures against the manufacturer's saturation chart. This tells us whether the system is low on charge and how low.
We sweep the evaporator coil, condenser coil, line set, and all accessible joints with an electronic leak detector. The detector picks up refrigerant at parts-per-million levels, so even small leaks show up.
A thermal imaging camera shows temperature differences where refrigerant is escaping. We use it to confirm the electronic reading and to show you the leak on screen.
If the leak is stubborn or the electronic detector gives an ambiguous reading, we add a small amount of tracer gas and use a tracer gas detector to pinpoint the exact spot. This is the most reliable confirmation method.
We repair the leak, evacuate the system, and recharge to factory specification. Then we run the system under load for 20 to 30 minutes to confirm the repair holds and the cooling is restored.
You get a written report with the leak location, the test results, and the repair performed. That documentation is useful for warranty claims and for your own records.
We start by asking how the system has been behaving: warm air, icing, short cycling, or repeated recharges. That history tells us where to look first. This takes 10 to 15 minutes and saves time on the diagnosis.
We connect pressure testing gauges to the service ports and compare readings against the manufacturer's saturation chart for the outdoor temperature. Low suction pressure with high superheat points to a charge loss. We record the numbers before touching anything.
Using an electronic leak detector and a thermal imaging camera, we sweep the evaporator coil, condenser coil, line set, and all brazed joints. The electronic detector picks up refrigerant at parts-per-million levels, and the thermal camera shows temperature anomalies where refrigerant is escaping.
Once we have a suspect area, we isolate the circuit and pressure test with dry nitrogen. If the leak is stubborn, we add a small amount of tracer gas and use a tracer gas detector to confirm the exact spot. This step is what separates a guess from a diagnosis.
We repair the leak, whether that means brazing a joint, replacing a Schrader core, or replacing a coil section. Then we evacuate the system, recharge to factory spec, and run it under load for 20 to 30 minutes to confirm the repair holds and the system cools properly.
Purpose-built equipment, used by trained technicians — so the job is done accurately the first time.
Picks up refrigerant at parts-per-million levels on coils, line sets, and valves. It is the first pass on every diagnostic and finds small leaks that pressure testing alone can miss.
Shows temperature differences where refrigerant is escaping. We use it to confirm the electronic reading and to show you the leak on screen.
Measure suction and liquid line pressures against the manufacturer's saturation chart. The readings tell us whether the system is low on charge and how low.
Confirms stubborn leaks after we add a small amount of tracer gas to the circuit. It is the most reliable way to pinpoint a leak in a concealed area.
Picks up the sound of escaping refrigerant at joints and valves. We use it on line sets and chases where access is limited.
Checks for moisture in insulation and attic spaces where AC condensate or refrigerant oil may be present. It helps separate a refrigerant problem from a water problem.
Lets us look inside chases and wall cavities without opening the wall. We use it when the leak is concealed and we need to see the line set.
A 4-ton system in Memorial was icing the indoor coil every two weeks. The homeowner had paid for three recharges in two years, and the system still blew warm air by mid-July.
We found a pinhole leak in the evaporator coil with a thermal camera, repaired the coil section, and recharged the system to factory spec. The system held pressure and cooled the house to 72°F on a 98°F day.
A homeowner in the Heights had a system that needed refrigerant every season. The previous company kept adding Freon without testing for a leak.
We pressure tested the system and found a leaking Schrader valve. We replaced the valve, evacuated the system, and recharged it. The system held pressure and the cooling returned to normal.
A property manager had a rooftop unit losing charge and shutting down on high pressure. The building had 12 units, and this one was the oldest.
We traced the leak to a brazed joint, repaired it, and verified the repair with a standing pressure test. The unit held pressure and returned to full capacity. We provided a written report for the maintenance file.
These are the calls we get most often from Houston homeowners and property managers. Each one has a specific cause and a specific fix.
Ask a pro →We pressure test the system, sweep the coils and line set with an electronic detector, and find the leak. Once repaired and recharged, the system reaches its setpoint again and the compressor cycles normally.
We check the charge and airflow first. If the charge is low, we test for a leak. We repair the leak, verify the repair with a pressure test, and recharge the system to spec.
We find the leak instead of recharging again. Our affordable refrigerant Leak Detection Houston TX service locates the source, and we repair it so you stop paying for refrigerant that leaks out.
We use an acoustic listening device and an electronic detector to locate the sound source. Then we isolate the circuit, pressure test, and repair the leaking joint or valve.
$150 - $1,250 depending on leak location and repair scope
Typical 2026 pricing for refrigerant leak detection in Houston runs $150 to $350 for the diagnostic, and the repair adds $200 to $900 depending on the leak location and parts. Evaporator coil leaks cost more because the coil has to be accessed or replaced. We quote the diagnostic upfront and credit it toward the repair if you proceed the same visit. If you are looking for affordable refrigerant Leak Detection Houston TX, call us and we can give you a range before we arrive.
Finding and repairing the leak costs less than repeated recharges and protects the compressor. A $300 repair now can prevent a $2,000 compressor replacement later.
An accessible line set leak is faster to repair than a leak in a concealed chase or an evaporator coil. Access drives labor time and cost.
A Schrader valve is inexpensive. A coil section or a line set is not. We quote parts before we start so you know what the repair involves.
A 2-ton residential split system takes less time to test than a 20-ton commercial rooftop package. Larger systems have more joints and more area to sweep.
R-410A is common and readily available. R-22 is phased out and costs more per pound. If your system uses R-22, the recharge cost is higher.
“Our AC was icing up every two weeks and another company kept adding Freon. Leak Detection The Heights found a pinhole in the evaporator coil in about an hour with a thermal camera. They showed me the leak on the screen. Repaired it, recharged the system, and we have not had a problem since. That was last summer.”
Marcus T.Homeowner, Memorial
✓ Verified“I called because the upstairs unit was blowing warm air and the electric bill jumped. They came out the same day, pressure tested the line set, and found a leaking Schrader valve. The repair was quick and the price was what they quoted. No upsell, no pressure to replace the whole system.”
Priya S.Homeowner, The Heights
✓ Verified“We manage 12 rental units and had a refrigerant leak in one of the rooftop units. They traced it to a brazed joint, repaired it, and gave us a written report with the pressure test results. That documentation is exactly what we need for our maintenance records. We use them for all our leak detection now.”
Danny R.Property Manager, Energy Corridor
✓ VerifiedMost refrigerant leak diagnostics in Houston run $150 to $350, and the repair adds $200 to $900 depending on the leak location. Evaporator coil leaks cost more because the coil has to be accessed or replaced. We quote the diagnostic upfront and credit it toward the repair if you proceed the same visit. Call us and we can give you a range before we arrive.
The three most common signs are warm air from the vents, ice on the indoor coil or outdoor line, and a system that needs refrigerant every season. A hissing or bubbling sound at the line set is another clue. If your AC runs constantly and never reaches the thermostat setpoint, that is a reason to test. We can check the charge and confirm a leak the same day.
Licensed HVAC and leak detection technicians fix refrigerant leaks, and the work falls under EPA Section 608 rules for refrigerant handling. We are a Houston-based leak detection company that handles the diagnosis and the repair, including brazing, valve replacement, and recharge. You do not need to call a separate AC company after the leak is found.
It depends on the system age and the manufacturer warranty. Most equipment warranties cover parts like coils for 5 to 10 years, and some cover labor for the first year. The diagnostic fee is usually not covered. We can review your warranty paperwork with you and tell you what is likely covered before any repair begins.
Slab Leak DetectionA slab leak and a refrigerant leak can both cause high water bills and unexplained moisture. We test both systems so you are not paying to chase the wrong problem in your Houston home.Explore →
Foundation Leak DetectionRefrigerant leaks do not move foundations, but the water leaks we find often do. If you have foundation movement and an AC problem, we can check both and tell you which is causing what.Explore →
Pool Leak DetectionPool equipment and AC condensers often sit near each other. If you have water loss at the pool and a cooling problem, we can pressure test both systems in one visit.Explore →
Sewer Line Leak DetectionSewer leaks and refrigerant leaks are unrelated, but both show up as unexplained problems. We offer camera inspection and pressure testing so you get the right diagnosis the first time.Explore →
Gas Leak DetectionA refrigerant leak and a gas leak both require careful detection. We use tracer gas and electronic detection for both, with the same pressure testing discipline on every job.Explore →
Plumbing Leak DetectionMany Houston homes have plumbing and HVAC lines running through the same chases. If you are not sure whether the moisture is from plumbing or the AC, we can test both.Explore →
Roof Leak DetectionRoof leaks and AC condensate problems can look the same from inside the house. We inspect the attic and the roof assembly to separate water intrusion from HVAC condensation.Explore →
Irrigation System Leak DetectionIrrigation leaks waste water and can saturate the ground around your AC condenser. We test irrigation zones and refrigerant lines separately so the repair is targeted.Explore →If your AC is blowing warm air or you have been told it needs another recharge, call us. We find the leak, repair it, and verify the repair before we leave. Same-day appointments and 24/7 emergency response for Houston and Harris County.
Book a Diagnostic 8328394984 →Call us at 832-839-4984 or send an email and we will get back to you fast. We answer the phone 24/7 for emergencies and schedule standard detections same day or next day across Houston and Harris County. Tell us what you are seeing and we will give you a flat detection price over the phone.