Refrigerant leak detection is the process of locating refrigerant leaks in HVAC systems. Leaks cause performance degradation, environmental harm (refrigerants are potent greenhouse gases), and regulatory violations. Under EPA Section 608, leaks above certain thresholds in commercial systems must be repaired within 30-120 days.
Methods of leak detection include: electronic leak detectors (heated diode or infrared sensors that detect refrigerant vapor, most common professional method), UV dye injection (fluorescent dye circulates with refrigerant and glows under UV light at leak sites), bubble solution (applied to joints and connections, shows bubbles at leak points), nitrogen pressure testing (system pressurized with nitrogen and leak rate measured), and ultrasonic detectors.
Common leak locations include: Schrader valve cores, flare fittings and connections, brazed joints, evaporator and condenser coil hairpin bends, and vibration-damaged copper tubing. All repairs should be followed by a standing pressure test before recharging.