Gas Top-Ups: What You Should Know

Updated: May 26

Low gas isn’t routine. It’s a fault — and we confirm it before touching anything.

Why Gas Doesn’t “Run Out”

Many customers assume a gas top-up is a routine fix.

But in a properly working aircon system, refrigerant doesn’t get used up.

Aircon systems are sealed, closed-loop circuits.

The gas circulates between the indoor and outdoor units to transfer heat — not to be consumed.

If your system is low on gas, it means there’s a leak.

Not a usage issue. Not evaporation. A fault.

Cause	What It Means
Micro leak in coil	Slow, ongoing loss — often missed until cooling drops
Damaged flare joint	Loose connection or vibration stress
Corroded copper line	Common in older or poorly insulated installs
Overcharged previously	Compressor strain, short cycling, erratic behaviour
Improper vacuum at install	Air + moisture trapped inside — leads to instability

Risk	What It Leads To
Compressor strain	Reduced lifespan, overheating, early failure
Pressure imbalance	Cooling issues, part mismatch, short cycling
Temporary cooling	Fault returns within days or weeks
Repeat breakdowns	More visits, more cost, deeper damage
Wasted refrigerant	Added cost with zero long-term benefit

Without a proper check, you're not fixing the system — you're masking the fault.

If a top-up is safe and appropriate — we’ll advise it. If it’s not, we’ll explain what needs to be addressed first.

We don’t upsell gas.

We don’t assume pressure drop means “just top up.”

We confirm the root cause first — then prescribe what’s needed.

Sometimes that means topping up.

Sometimes it means repairing a leak, replacing a coil, or walking away if it’s not worth fixing.

If your system needs gas, something has failed.

Top it up blindly — and you’re not fixing the problem.

You’re postponing it. And letting it grow.

Let us confirm the fault before anything else is done.