Air conditioning regas

Why your air conditioner loses gas

A split air conditioning system is sealed at the factory, so under normal use it should never need more refrigerant. If your unit in Torrevieja or the Orihuela Costa is suddenly struggling on a 35°C afternoon, the gas has not simply “run out” or “evaporated” with age. It has escaped, and that means there is a leak.

Leaks are often tiny. They show up at flared pipe joints, at the connections behind the indoor unit, or on the aluminium coil itself. Near the coast, salt air is a real factor: it slowly corrodes copper and brazed joints, especially on outdoor units mounted on a terrace or roof facing the sea. Second homes that sit unused for months can also develop slow leaks that only become obvious when the owners return for summer.

Refrigerant types: R-32 and R-410A

Modern systems from the main brands we work with, including Daikin, Mitsubishi Electric, LG, Samsung, Panasonic and Fujitsu, mostly run on R-32. Many older installations still use R-410A. The two are not interchangeable, and each unit has a specific charge weight, measured in grams, printed on its data plate.

Getting this right matters. Too little refrigerant and the system cannot cool properly; too much can damage the compressor over time. We always confirm the refrigerant type and target charge before we add anything, then weigh the gas in rather than guessing.

F-Gas rules: why only certified techs can do this

Refrigerants are classed as fluorinated gases, and Spanish and EU law is strict about who may handle them. Only technicians with the correct F-Gas certification can legally buy refrigerant, recover it, detect leaks and recharge a system. Releasing gas to the air is both illegal and harmful.

Our team holds RITE and F-Gas certification, so every regas is carried out to the proper standard, with the right equipment to recover and recycle gas safely. For expat homeowners used to different rules back in the UK or Scandinavia, this is reassuring: the job is done legally, documented, and done once.

Fix the leak, do not just top up

It can be tempting to ask for a quick “top up” so the cooling comes back for the holidays. The problem is that the gas you add will leak out again, and you are paying twice. That is why we focus on finding and fixing the cause:

• Listen to your symptoms and check the unit history
• Inspect joints, pipework and coils, using leak detection where needed
• Identify and repair the leak (this can overlap with our air conditioning repair service)
• Recover any remaining gas correctly
• Recharge to the exact weight for your model and test performance

If a leak cannot be repaired economically on an older unit, we will tell you honestly and talk through your options rather than keep refilling it.

Signs you may need a regas

Watch for these, especially as the first heatwave arrives:

• The air is no longer as cold as it used to be
• Ice or frost on the pipes or indoor unit
• The system runs much longer to reach temperature
• Higher electricity bills with no change in use
• A faint hissing sound near the pipework

These signs do not always mean low gas. Dirty filters, a tired fan or an electrical fault can look similar, which is why regular servicing helps catch small leaks early. If you are fitting a brand new system, our installation team charges it correctly from day one.

Not sure what is going on with your unit? Tell us the symptoms and we will diagnose it properly. You can reach our bilingual team any time through our contact page for a free quote.