Fridge gas refill: why a regas is not a permanent fix

Search for fridge repairs and you will see kits and offers to regas your fridge. It sounds like a quick, cheap fix. In most cases, it is not a repair at all. A fridge is a sealed system, and the gas inside is not used up. If the gas level is low, it has leaked out through a hole somewhere, and putting more in does not close the hole.

How a fridge uses refrigerant

The refrigerant circulates in a closed loop of pipes: compressor, condenser, a restriction and the evaporator. It changes from gas to liquid and back as it carries heat out of the cabinet. It does not burn off or evaporate away. Done right, a fridge keeps its gas for its whole life.

Why a regas does not last

When a fridge has lost its gas, there is a leak. The usual places are corroded tubing, a joint or the evaporator. Add gas without fixing the leak and the fridge may cool for a few days or weeks, and then fail again as the gas escapes. Defy and KIC fridges in particular often have internal gas leaks, and a regas on these does not repair the problem permanently.

What a proper repair involves

• Finding the leak with a leak detector or a pressure test.
• Repairing or replacing the leaking part, where it is possible.
• Replacing the filter drier, which should never be reused.
• Pulling a vacuum to remove air and moisture from the system.
• Charging the exact weight of the correct refrigerant.
• Testing that the fridge cools and holds temperature.

Why DIY gas kits are a bad idea

• Many modern fridges use a flammable refrigerant, which is dangerous in untrained hands.
• The wrong gas or the wrong amount damages the compressor.
• A kit does not remove air or moisture, so the system is contaminated.
• It does not find or fix the leak.

When a regas does make sense

A regas is a normal part of a proper repair, after the leak is fixed and the system is evacuated. It is not a stand-alone fix. If the leak is in the evaporator or inside the walls of the cabinet, it may not be repairable at all, and the honest answer is that the fridge is at the end of its life.

How do I know my fridge has a gas problem?

• The compressor runs but the cabinet never gets cold.
• The evaporator is partly frosted, with the top cold and the rest warm.
• The fridge cools for a while after a repair, then stops again.
• There is an oily residue near joints or pipe connections.

What it costs

We diagnose first and tell you what is wrong. Call-out fees start from R250 and depend on your area. Minor repairs typically cost between R350 and R950. Major repairs start from R1,250. If a leak makes the fridge not worth repairing, we will say so before you spend any money.

Call us with the make and age of your fridge and we will tell you what to expect.