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AC Repair FAQ: Why Do I Need Refrigerant Top Offs?

May 11, 2021

One question we hear from Los Angeles homeowners is about refrigerant charge-up, top off, or refill services.

There is really only one scenario where this question comes up, and it’s with a broken AC in need of repair. Many of our customers have had a faulty AC quickly solved by a technician “topping off” the refrigerant in the system. However, this quick fix is just a band-aid solution. Worse, we can guarantee that you’ll need another refrigerant top off service again in the future.

Why Does Refrigerant in AC Need A Top Off?

Your air conditioner contains refrigerant that recirculates through components to provide you with cool air. All air conditioning systems have an ideal quantity of refrigerant required to function as expected. You’ll encounter problems if you have too much or too little refrigerant in the system. 

It’s important to remember that AC refrigerant is not a fuel nor is it akin to a battery charge. You will not need to fill up your refrigerant every year in order for it to operate.  

AC refrigerant is more like the air inside of a tire. Tires don’t work well when they are low on air pressure, and over inflating tires can cause damage as well. You need just the right amount of air pressure. If there is a tiny leak, filling a tire up with plenty of air can give you just enough of a safety net to get to a repair shop. And once you’re there, the mechanic can either patch your tire or recommend a replacement.

Air conditioners, too, can get leaks. Leaks are a common side effect of system wear and tear. If the refrigerant in your system is low, it’s a sure sign of a leak. 

HVAC professionals have many methods to locate the leak, but occasionally the leak could be in a location that’s difficult to reach or in a component that cannot be repaired and must be replaced. Topping off your refrigerant is a stopgap to get the system cooling again but beware – because without repairing the leak, your system is actively losing refrigerant. 

Ultimately, it’s critical to deal with the root cause of the problem by sealing the leak or replacing the component. Otherwise, you will need a refrigerant top off again and again. 

What’s So Bad About A Refrigerant Top Off? 

You might be in conversations with an air conditioning professional that wants to repair your system, when you just want to pay for the refrigerant top off. Rest assured: repairing the leak is the way to go.

If you’re only topping off the refrigerant and not repairing the leak, it’s only a matter of time before you’ll need to call the technician back out again to charge up the system with more refrigerant. If the leak is microscopic, the refrigerant will leak slowly. Larger leaks, the chemical will dissipate quickly. Repairing the leak is the best way to protect your comfort – and your wallet. 

Also, refrigerant fluctuates in pricing. This is particularly true if your AC was installed over 10 years ago and uses a specific refrigerant blend called R-22 (or better known as the brand name, Freon®). The federal government has discontinued the import and production of R-22, making it more scarce to find and thus, more expensive. That can make your regular refrigerant top off a pretty spendy repair. Read our Homeowner’s Guide to the Freon Phaseout for more information. 

Call Brody Pennell to Solve Your Refrigerant Leak

Our team is adept at finding and sealing refrigerant leaks. We are up-to-date on the latest technologies available, which translates to fast and affordable AC leak repairs for Los Angeles homeowners. We also offer AC maintenance services which includes a check on your refrigerant charge. That means we can catch and repair any leaks before they cause real problems for your comfort. And in the case your system is beyond repair, we can provide a quote on an AC replacement. We’re here to help – contact us anytime.


About The Author

Brody Pennell

Since 1945, Brody Pennell Heating & Air Conditioning is the committed to helping homeowners in the greater Los Angeles area experience total home comfort. In 2021, the readers of the Los Angeles Times voted Brody Pennell the Best HVAC Company in the area.

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Maggie G.
1711675784
Our new AC guys were great! Thank you Juan Molina and Richie for squeezing into our tight attic and for being so professional (and quiet!) during my work-from-home meeting!
Joe S.
1711667055
Steven and Phillip Y. Very professional and got the job done. I’m very happy thank you so much.
Ushma A.
1711663830
Jaun molina and Kyle mike and Raul Ibarra bros work well as a team and did a great install were the best and did an excellent job explaining the issues and finding solutions
Danielle A.
1711662970
Rene and Morales were wonderful! Super helpful in getting our commercial HVAC working again and troubleshooting the main issue with why the heat wasn’t working. Super grateful for their ability to come the same day as well.
W. Peter I.
1711656616
Kevin and David E were polite and fabulous. Thx you!
Paul H.
1711656181
Ruben and Esteban were extremely friendly and clear on what work they had done. Highly recommended
Letty C.
1711655993
Anthony Manzo and Alessandro A great service
Peggy S.
1711655360
James and Armand did a great job!
Terry P.
1711649483
David M and Michael S were both very detail-oriented with exceptional customer-service mentalities and communication skills. They clearly described their findings and what services they would be able to offer. I felt confident that they had thoroughly investigated our HVAC system issues and considered all possible solutions before offering their recommendations. Moreover, they provided recommendations in a manner that did not feel as though they were pressuring us into making a purchase on-the-spot but rather allowed us to come to a decision on a timeline that worked for us. As a team, they spent multiple hours evaluating our HVAC system and left no stone unturned or question unanswered.
Danielle D
1711649263
Exceptional service; professional, courteous, and articulated the work in detail. Ivan D. And Daniel L are excellent. Highly recommended company and team. Thank you.3/28/2024 Daniel B., Ivan D. and Dio were fantastic. Excellent work!!
Rodrigo C.
1711644777
Thank you James H. For your work! The AC is absolutely working better and thank you for the finding a third filter that no one else before could! What a rockstar. Thank you for your labor, we'll see you in three months1
Joe H.
1711642345
Rene and Leo Morales show up early or on time, their attitude and work ethic provide satisfaction. They are very pleasant and know what they’re doing.
Alana D.
1711577999
Juan A and Marco did a great job. Friendly service and thorough.
Martha M.
1711572741
Shawn was fabulous. So professional and so careful of our home.
Jill S.
1711572064
Rene and Leo Morales did a great job today. Brody Pennell is the best!
Connie W.
1711569518
Juan Molina was on time, professional, and picked up a problem with the voltage in our AC compressor voltage that would help prolong the life of the unit3/27/24Timothy, Josh M, and Kyle they were very thorough and answered our questions well.Great explainations and very pleasant.
Dan M.
1711565107
Google does not allow multiple reviews, so editing this to update on the most recent visit.Jason and Armando were assigned and did a fantastic job. They were prompt, courteous and professional. They upheld the high-expectations that I have for Brody Pennell. They were both super friendly and through. They covered all of the expected work and also looked into another issue I was having. They were both able to provide solid advice on how to proceed.From a business standpoint, the scheduling, confirmation, and information regarding the visit was top notch. I felt informed every step of the way and the information was accurate.%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%Review from 2023:This review is specific to the HVAC maintenance repair completed this spring. I setup the appoint and received confirmation and a reminder the day before. Once the technician was assigned, I received additional communication that they were on their way.Jose C. arrived and was prompt, courteous and professional. He chatted with us first to talk through what he was going to do, got a lay of the land and then went to work. He took time once he was completed to share his findings, the work he did and discuss next steps. He captured photos of the before and after and documented his work well.He also took the time to call dispatch/office to clarify some confusion, which was great. All in all, great experience from start to finish.
karen S.
1711564697
Juan Molina, Mike Stafford, and Richie Salazar were exceedingly knowledgeable and efficient in servicing our HVAC. They used shoe covers and drop cloths so our condo was clean when they left!
Eliette K.
1711564203
Daniel and Pablo did a great job with the HVAC maintenance.
Nathalie K.
1711562137
James & Alberto were very courteous & thorough. Thank youNicole Karsenty Ligeti
Obele A.
1711555122
René and Leo Morales were fantastic! Very personable. Excellent customer service. They took the time to explain the situation and options for how to proceed. Stamp of approval granted.
Christopher F.
1711521527
Daniel Avila and Pablo Lopez provided very friendly and efficient service.
Kathy I
1711516687
I had to take the time to update my review and thank and compliment Ashton K. and his team of installers Mike, Raul, Elario, and Juan DS who installed our new furnace. Ashton’s knowledge and follow up has been fantastic. The installers workmanship was excellent. They were all professional and respectful and kept our home neat and clean after they finished the installation. The furnace is working perfectly. Our follow up appointments with Jose Rivera, Jonathan A. and Ramiro S. were also handled with the same professionalism.I would highly recommend Brody Pennell. The quality of their furnaces and workmanship are excellent.Juan Molina and Ashton K provided me with great service today. They were both very thorough and detailed in explaining the technical problems that were occurring with my heater. I was very pleased with their high level of service and professionalism.
Jenny W.
1711509954
Today when we had someone come to look at our ancient HVAC, I never imagined that we could be shown in great detail the inner workings of the thing. David Mars with his kit of diagnostic tools and his supervisor Fabio Lopez (I think is Lopez) showed us in photos and videos (even with a tiny camera on a gooseneck that showed inaccessible parts) and explained at length the significance of all the horrors we were looking at. We are now scheduled for installation of a new HVAC tomorrow. I’ll post again if my experience changes but so far we are impressed.
Susan A.
1711495997
Daniel B and Alessandro A were fantastic today! They did a great job doing the maintenance on my system and were just lovely to work with. Great job!
ROSALINDA M.
1711490429
As always Juan Molina provides exceptional service with thorough expertise and the most pleasant and courteous manner. He is. A credit to the BP brand of excellence in service.
Mike B.
1711477483
Timmothy was the best tech that ever came to service my system. He was friendly and thorough and went above and beyond to make sure the job was done to my satisfaction
Lori P.
1711433844
Cristina P.
1711418295
Juan Molinas and Dave ocampo came to my condo for my air maintenance. I’m so impressed with their politeness, care and knowledge. They went above and beyond my expectations. I highly recommend Brody Pennell.
R A
1711416532
I really enjoy the service guys here. David and Alex were really lovely and the last time Benny was so great. I was already planning on getting a new unit. Wasn’t a huge fan of the particular supervisor I dealt with in terms of sales, but we were able to finalize with Michael and I would like to believe we all have bad days. Michael made us feel much more confident. I will update when I have my new system. I do always appreciate that they are very respectful and adaptive to my medical needs.
Bill C.
1711410254
Kevin and Robert Jadds showed up the same day, went underneath the house, and couldn't have been more pleasant and professional. I have signed up to use Brody for all my HVac needs going forward.
Steve B.
1711405223
Spencer, Mike and Ariel all were exemplarySpencer smartly contacted Mike to ascertain the full parameters of our problem and while waiting initiated with Ariel our condenser maintenance. And Mike presented us with options that satisfied our needs. Great team
Arik M.
1711404349
Timothy and Juan D. Did an excellent job cleaning my mini-split unit indoor and outdoor.
Maria T.
1711401681
Anthony Manzo David EThey did a great job trying to figure out how to fix. Great job guys!
cynthia C.
1711397456
Timothy TranJuan Dejesus
CRMCSYS
1711393886
Marco Ayala (technician), Juan U. (apprentice) and their supervisor Ashton were courteous, patient and thorough. They reviewed the problems I have with my Carrier unit and explained why I needed it replaced. I was given the choice of 3 new models with price and labor for each. They offered to contact my HOA’s management company for the roof installation and will arrange a city inspection after the work is completed. I would not hesitate recommending Brody Pennell to family and friends.
Kerrie K.
1711390619
Benny was thorough in his inspection, and he went over and above in answering my questions and giving me sound advice. His patience and professionalism are so rare these days. Thank You
Dylan L.
1711387435
Timothy Tran and Juan D. were exceptional!!!
Joe B.
1711226631
Excellent work!! Very cordial and informative. Super attentive. Right on time. All great.
Kimberly B.
1711222248
Wanted to give a big thanks to Mike, Raul, Rosendo & Nathan from Brody Pennell Plumbing & Heating for the installation of our new HVAC system, the professionalism of the guys & quality of the installation was top notch!!!
Isabel W.
1711145412
Juan Molina and Freddy did a great job! Very clean and very respectful :)
Dagoberto V.
1711141678
Great guys both Juan and Tony hope to see them next service stay safe ., great to deal with and very good knowledge
David O.
1711136928
3/22 - clean, fast, courteous job with Troy and Phil. Very polite and thorough! Another fantastic job by the people at BrodyYet another pleasant service experience with Marcos!!! Also told me about an air scrubber install that Brody can do as well.10/9: another great job by Steven
Diane S.
1711134416
M H.
1711131246
Today Armando and Jadds provided the professional technical service that Brody Pennell has always delivered for years.Our A/C / Heating system is getting older, but the excellent routine maintenance and advice Brody Pennell has given me keeps everything running smoothly.
Khemsuay P.
1711129519
03.22.2024Juan Molina and Freddy are very god at what they do, freindly and knowledgeable.I really recommend them .Enmity is the best !!I really recommend him
Deke S.
1711126198
Rene & Leo. On time. Friendly. Respectful. A+++
Mario Sanz S.
1711125163
Very easy to connect and schedule an appointment for my heater maintenance.Maria was on time, very knowledgeable, friendly, and attentive to all my questions, providing clear responses to each.
Mo S
1711059929
Timothy and Mike provided one of the best customer experiences I ever had! Their kindness, thoroughness, knowledge, and expertise were top notch! They went beyond the call of duty and helped us tremendously! Thank you immensely!!
Ellen C.
1711057975
Rene and Leo were very kind and efficient!
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Maggie G.
1711675784
Our new AC guys were great! Thank you Juan Molina and Richie for squeezing into our tight attic and for being so professional (and quiet!) during my work-from-home meeting!
Joe S.
1711667055
Steven and Phillip Y. Very professional and got the job done. I’m very happy thank you so much.
Ushma A.
1711663830
Jaun molina and Kyle mike and Raul Ibarra bros work well as a team and did a great install were the best and did an excellent job explaining the issues and finding solutions
Danielle A.
1711662970
Rene and Morales were wonderful! Super helpful in getting our commercial HVAC working again and troubleshooting the main issue with why the heat wasn’t working. Super grateful for their ability to come the same day as well.
W. Peter I.
1711656616
Kevin and David E were polite and fabulous. Thx you!
Paul H.
1711656181
Ruben and Esteban were extremely friendly and clear on what work they had done. Highly recommended
Letty C.
1711655993
Anthony Manzo and Alessandro A great service
Peggy S.
1711655360
James and Armand did a great job!
Terry P.
1711649483
David M and Michael S were both very detail-oriented with exceptional customer-service mentalities and communication skills. They clearly described their findings and what services they would be able to offer. I felt confident that they had thoroughly investigated our HVAC system issues and considered all possible solutions before offering their recommendations. Moreover, they provided recommendations in a manner that did not feel as though they were pressuring us into making a purchase on-the-spot but rather allowed us to come to a decision on a timeline that worked for us. As a team, they spent multiple hours evaluating our HVAC system and left no stone unturned or question unanswered.
Danielle D
1711649263
Exceptional service; professional, courteous, and articulated the work in detail. Ivan D. And Daniel L are excellent. Highly recommended company and team. Thank you.3/28/2024 Daniel B., Ivan D. and Dio were fantastic. Excellent work!!
Rodrigo C.
1711644777
Thank you James H. For your work! The AC is absolutely working better and thank you for the finding a third filter that no one else before could! What a rockstar. Thank you for your labor, we'll see you in three months1
Joe H.
1711642345
Rene and Leo Morales show up early or on time, their attitude and work ethic provide satisfaction. They are very pleasant and know what they’re doing.
Alana D.
1711577999
Juan A and Marco did a great job. Friendly service and thorough.
Martha M.
1711572741
Shawn was fabulous. So professional and so careful of our home.
Jill S.
1711572064
Rene and Leo Morales did a great job today. Brody Pennell is the best!
Connie W.
1711569518
Juan Molina was on time, professional, and picked up a problem with the voltage in our AC compressor voltage that would help prolong the life of the unit3/27/24Timothy, Josh M, and Kyle they were very thorough and answered our questions well.Great explainations and very pleasant.
Dan M.
1711565107
Google does not allow multiple reviews, so editing this to update on the most recent visit.Jason and Armando were assigned and did a fantastic job. They were prompt, courteous and professional. They upheld the high-expectations that I have for Brody Pennell. They were both super friendly and through. They covered all of the expected work and also looked into another issue I was having. They were both able to provide solid advice on how to proceed.From a business standpoint, the scheduling, confirmation, and information regarding the visit was top notch. I felt informed every step of the way and the information was accurate.%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%Review from 2023:This review is specific to the HVAC maintenance repair completed this spring. I setup the appoint and received confirmation and a reminder the day before. Once the technician was assigned, I received additional communication that they were on their way.Jose C. arrived and was prompt, courteous and professional. He chatted with us first to talk through what he was going to do, got a lay of the land and then went to work. He took time once he was completed to share his findings, the work he did and discuss next steps. He captured photos of the before and after and documented his work well.He also took the time to call dispatch/office to clarify some confusion, which was great. All in all, great experience from start to finish.
karen S.
1711564697
Juan Molina, Mike Stafford, and Richie Salazar were exceedingly knowledgeable and efficient in servicing our HVAC. They used shoe covers and drop cloths so our condo was clean when they left!
Eliette K.
1711564203
Daniel and Pablo did a great job with the HVAC maintenance.
Nathalie K.
1711562137
James & Alberto were very courteous & thorough. Thank youNicole Karsenty Ligeti
Obele A.
1711555122
René and Leo Morales were fantastic! Very personable. Excellent customer service. They took the time to explain the situation and options for how to proceed. Stamp of approval granted.
Christopher F.
1711521527
Daniel Avila and Pablo Lopez provided very friendly and efficient service.
Kathy I
1711516687
I had to take the time to update my review and thank and compliment Ashton K. and his team of installers Mike, Raul, Elario, and Juan DS who installed our new furnace. Ashton’s knowledge and follow up has been fantastic. The installers workmanship was excellent. They were all professional and respectful and kept our home neat and clean after they finished the installation. The furnace is working perfectly. Our follow up appointments with Jose Rivera, Jonathan A. and Ramiro S. were also handled with the same professionalism.I would highly recommend Brody Pennell. The quality of their furnaces and workmanship are excellent.Juan Molina and Ashton K provided me with great service today. They were both very thorough and detailed in explaining the technical problems that were occurring with my heater. I was very pleased with their high level of service and professionalism.
Jenny W.
1711509954
Today when we had someone come to look at our ancient HVAC, I never imagined that we could be shown in great detail the inner workings of the thing. David Mars with his kit of diagnostic tools and his supervisor Fabio Lopez (I think is Lopez) showed us in photos and videos (even with a tiny camera on a gooseneck that showed inaccessible parts) and explained at length the significance of all the horrors we were looking at. We are now scheduled for installation of a new HVAC tomorrow. I’ll post again if my experience changes but so far we are impressed.
Susan A.
1711495997
Daniel B and Alessandro A were fantastic today! They did a great job doing the maintenance on my system and were just lovely to work with. Great job!
ROSALINDA M.
1711490429
As always Juan Molina provides exceptional service with thorough expertise and the most pleasant and courteous manner. He is. A credit to the BP brand of excellence in service.
Mike B.
1711477483
Timmothy was the best tech that ever came to service my system. He was friendly and thorough and went above and beyond to make sure the job was done to my satisfaction
Lori P.
1711433844
Cristina P.
1711418295
Juan Molinas and Dave ocampo came to my condo for my air maintenance. I’m so impressed with their politeness, care and knowledge. They went above and beyond my expectations. I highly recommend Brody Pennell.
R A
1711416532
I really enjoy the service guys here. David and Alex were really lovely and the last time Benny was so great. I was already planning on getting a new unit. Wasn’t a huge fan of the particular supervisor I dealt with in terms of sales, but we were able to finalize with Michael and I would like to believe we all have bad days. Michael made us feel much more confident. I will update when I have my new system. I do always appreciate that they are very respectful and adaptive to my medical needs.
Bill C.
1711410254
Kevin and Robert Jadds showed up the same day, went underneath the house, and couldn't have been more pleasant and professional. I have signed up to use Brody for all my HVac needs going forward.
Steve B.
1711405223
Spencer, Mike and Ariel all were exemplarySpencer smartly contacted Mike to ascertain the full parameters of our problem and while waiting initiated with Ariel our condenser maintenance. And Mike presented us with options that satisfied our needs. Great team
Arik M.
1711404349
Timothy and Juan D. Did an excellent job cleaning my mini-split unit indoor and outdoor.
Maria T.
1711401681
Anthony Manzo David EThey did a great job trying to figure out how to fix. Great job guys!
cynthia C.
1711397456
Timothy TranJuan Dejesus
CRMCSYS
1711393886
Marco Ayala (technician), Juan U. (apprentice) and their supervisor Ashton were courteous, patient and thorough. They reviewed the problems I have with my Carrier unit and explained why I needed it replaced. I was given the choice of 3 new models with price and labor for each. They offered to contact my HOA’s management company for the roof installation and will arrange a city inspection after the work is completed. I would not hesitate recommending Brody Pennell to family and friends.
Kerrie K.
1711390619
Benny was thorough in his inspection, and he went over and above in answering my questions and giving me sound advice. His patience and professionalism are so rare these days. Thank You
Dylan L.
1711387435
Timothy Tran and Juan D. were exceptional!!!
Joe B.
1711226631
Excellent work!! Very cordial and informative. Super attentive. Right on time. All great.
Kimberly B.
1711222248
Wanted to give a big thanks to Mike, Raul, Rosendo & Nathan from Brody Pennell Plumbing & Heating for the installation of our new HVAC system, the professionalism of the guys & quality of the installation was top notch!!!
Isabel W.
1711145412
Juan Molina and Freddy did a great job! Very clean and very respectful :)
Dagoberto V.
1711141678
Great guys both Juan and Tony hope to see them next service stay safe ., great to deal with and very good knowledge
David O.
1711136928
3/22 - clean, fast, courteous job with Troy and Phil. Very polite and thorough! Another fantastic job by the people at BrodyYet another pleasant service experience with Marcos!!! Also told me about an air scrubber install that Brody can do as well.10/9: another great job by Steven
Diane S.
1711134416
M H.
1711131246
Today Armando and Jadds provided the professional technical service that Brody Pennell has always delivered for years.Our A/C / Heating system is getting older, but the excellent routine maintenance and advice Brody Pennell has given me keeps everything running smoothly.
Khemsuay P.
1711129519
03.22.2024Juan Molina and Freddy are very god at what they do, freindly and knowledgeable.I really recommend them .Enmity is the best !!I really recommend him
Deke S.
1711126198
Rene & Leo. On time. Friendly. Respectful. A+++
Mario Sanz S.
1711125163
Very easy to connect and schedule an appointment for my heater maintenance.Maria was on time, very knowledgeable, friendly, and attentive to all my questions, providing clear responses to each.
Mo S
1711059929
Timothy and Mike provided one of the best customer experiences I ever had! Their kindness, thoroughness, knowledge, and expertise were top notch! They went beyond the call of duty and helped us tremendously! Thank you immensely!!
Ellen C.
1711057975
Rene and Leo were very kind and efficient!
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