What is a refrigerant leak and why it's a big deal

If you've noticed your air conditioner isn't cooling like it used to, you might be asking yourself what is a refrigerant leak and how much trouble you're actually in. In the simplest terms, it's when the chemical used to move heat out of your home escapes through a tiny hole or a crack in your AC's coils or lines. Unlike a car that needs its oil changed or a gas tank that needs a refill, your air conditioner shouldn't ever "run out" of refrigerant. It's a closed-loop system, so if the levels are low, it means something has gone wrong. ...

May 11, 2026 · 7 min · Tami Hoyos