Every year I'm told "your low on Freon". This year I asked the Tech, if I'm low on Freon then the system has a leak, why dont you fix the leak? I got different answers that I found wishy-washy. So I called another firm and asked a simple question "what are the different techniques used in looking for, and fixing a leak of Freon??
Forgot to tell you I have a 10 year old Coleman THE 11 split system
of 3 tons. Again got a spectre of technologies ranging from Space Age to "you see it when its there"
Can anyone give me 3 accepted methods in the HVAC trades to look for leaks of Freon, so that I can choose someone that I would be confident with. My next door neighbour talks about: soap and water; a Freon detector; Violet light, and God knows what else. Thanks in advance.

 

You can go around with just the kids bubble stuff that works good. The tech could have put some Dytel in the unit then you will see red on the pipes. Then we have fluorescent leak detection with a dye in it also. Halogen leak detectors they sniff at it to find the freon . Id say take your pick. "This helps sometimes." If it goes down when you run the AC all the time its in the little line on the high side . If it goes down when the unit is off it could be in the big line the low side.Hope this helps


ED

 

i use an electronic detector, very reliable. i would look first at the coil inside, they seem to leak first.