Air Conditioning Refrigerant Leak Detection & Repair in London
Fast, F-Gas-compliant leak finding and permanent repairs for homes, offices and retail across London and surrounding areas. We don’t “just top-up”—we fix the leak, pressure-test, evacuate and recharge correctly, then certify the job for your records. Under UK rules, leaks must be repaired before refilling.
Signs You May Have a Refrigerant Leak
- Poor cooling or longer run times, rising electricity bills, or indoor coil icing.
- Hissing/bubbling sounds at joints or valves; ice forming on pipework or the indoor unit.
- System worked briefly after a previous recharge and then failed again.
If you notice these, switch the system off and book an engineer—running on low charge can damage the compressor and increase costs.
Why Speed Matters (And Why “Top-Ups” Aren’t the Answer)
- Legal compliance: UK F-Gas rules require qualified technicians, recorded leak checks, and that leaks are repaired before any refill.
- Environmental impact: leaked refrigerants carry high global-warming potential—minimising leakage cuts whole-life carbon.
- Cost control: low charge overheats compressors and shortens equipment life; a proper repair prevents repeat call-outs.
Why Choose Arcas Air Conditioning?
When your AC in London breaks down, you need a responsive, trustworthy team to fix it fast — without inflated costs or guesswork. At Arcas, we deliver results you can count on.
- 15+ years of experience repairing all major AC brands
- F-Gas certified and fully insured engineers
- Fast response times and emergency repair slots
- Honest diagnostics and fair, fixed pricing
- Replacement parts sourced quickly
- Trusted across Greater London
Our Leak-Finding & Repair Process
1
Initial triage
Call us with the symptoms; we’ll advise on safe shutdown and prepare the right detectors and gases for your system size and refrigerant.
2
Isolate & make safe
We isolate circuits where possible and protect electrics and furnishings. F-Gas credentials provided on arrival.
3
Pressure test (OFN)
We introduce dry oxygen-free nitrogen (or trace-gas mix) to the manufacturer-approved test pressure to prove tightness and avoid moisture ingress.
4
Locate the leak
We combine methods—electronic leak detector, leak-spray/soap, UV dye where appropriate, and hydrogen/nitrogen trace-gas sniffing for elusive micro-leaks.
5
Repair the fault
We remake flares, braze pin-holes, replace Schrader cores, coils or sections of copper as required—then re-test to confirm tightness.
6
Evacuation & recharge
We deep-vacuum the circuit to remove air/moisture and weigh in the correct charge by scales, finishing with performance checks.
7
Compliance pack
You receive pressure-test logs, final readings and F-Gas record entries for your files (and leak-check schedules where applicable).
Water leaking vs “gas” leaking
Water on the floor/pan is usually a condensate issue (blocked drain, frozen coil that thawed, or a level/installation fault). Refrigerant leaks don’t create puddles; they reduce cooling and can cause icing and hissing. If you see water, we’ll clear and sanitise the drain and fix the root cause; if cooling is poor or coils ice repeatedly, we’ll test for a refrigerant leak.
What we work on
Split and multi-split systems, ducted AC, VRF/VRV heat-pump systems, server-room cooling, and commercial refrigeration display circuits (retail & hospitality).
Trusted Across London & Beyond
We’ve helped clients in Croydon, Barnet, Newham, Ealing, Enfield, Brent, Kingston, Richmond, and Guildford stay cool with expert AC installation in London. Whether you’re in a high-rise apartment or a suburban family home, we’ve got you covered.
We understand London homes, shops, and offices — and we tailor every system accordingly.
Areas We Cover
Enfield
Croydon
Newham
Brent
Ealing
Barnet
Wandsworth
Tower Hamlets
Hillingdon
Kingston upon Thames
Redbridge
Guildford
FAQs
Can you just top up my system?
No. If we find an abnormal leak, the leak must be repaired before refilling—this is a legal requirement.
How do you test without adding refrigerant?
We use OFN pressure testing and trace-gas methods (e.g., 5% H₂ / 95% N₂) plus electronic detectors and approved leak sprays, then evacuate and recharge once proven tight.
Do you use UV dye?
Selectively. Electronic/trace-gas methods are preferred for most stationary systems; dye can assist in tricky cases and is removed/managed per best practice.
What about systems with R22?
Servicing with R22 is banned; we’ll quote for retrofit or replacement options.
Coverage & availability
Rapid response across Greater London and nearby (Surrey, Kent, Herts, Essex, Berkshire). Emergency call-outs available; planned works Mon–Sat.
Why choose Arcas Air Conditioning
• F-Gas certified engineers and documented compliance on every job.
• Permanent fixes (no “stop-leak” shortcuts) and precision recharging by weight.
• Commercial-grade diagnostics (OFN/trace-gas, electronic sniffers, vacuum and scales).
• Clean, courteous work on occupied sites; clear, itemised quotes and warranties.
Book a leak check or repair
Call now or request a same-day visit. We’ll confirm pricing after on-site diagnosis, repair the leak, recharge correctly and hand over your compliance pack—so you stay cool, efficient and fully covered.
