Refrigerant and leaks: why recharging is not routine maintenance
Refrigerant circulates through a circuit designed to remain sealed. It is not fuel consumed with each operating hour.
Do not diagnose from one symptom
Weak cooling, ice and long running periods can have several causes. The system needs checking before refrigerant is proposed. If an installation requires repeated recharges, ask for the reason to be investigated rather than accepting a normal refill interval. R32 and R410A identify different refrigerants; users cannot decide to interchange them.
Understanding the proposed work
A tightness test assesses circuit integrity; evacuation belongs to technical procedures and is not a household performance test. Refrigerant recovery means it is not treated as waste that can be deliberately released. These are operations for appropriately trained and equipped professionals, not DIY instructions.
If you suspect a leak
Do not open valves or use a flame to look for leaks. Avoid continued use of faulty equipment and request professional instructions suited to the location and refrigerant. Provide the model, history and recent work. Ask for a proposal covering investigation, repair and subsequent verification, not just a quantity of gas. Applicable obligations must be checked against current rules.
Official references
Choose the next step
Use the symptom page to understand the likely causes. If the cause is still unclear, book a diagnosis before approving a repair.