### Refrigerant Doesn't Just "Run Out"
One of the most important things to understand about AC refrigerant: a properly functioning system is a closed loop. Refrigerant is not consumed — it circulates continuously through the system without being depleted. If your AC is low on refrigerant, it means there is a leak somewhere in the system. Adding refrigerant without finding and fixing the leak is like refilling a tire that has a nail in it. It may work temporarily, but the leak will continue and the refrigerant will be gone again within weeks or months.
Overview
### Finding the Leak Before Recharging
LC Heating & Air uses electronic refrigerant leak detectors to locate leaks before any recharge is performed. Common leak locations include the evaporator coil (particularly on older systems), the Schrader valves on the service ports, brazed joints in the refrigerant lines, and the condenser coil. Once the leak is located, we give you an honest assessment: some leaks are repaired cost-effectively; others — particularly a leaking evaporator coil in an older system — may make replacement more economical than repair.
### R-22 vs. R-410A vs. R-32
The refrigerant type in your system matters significantly for cost. R-22 (used in systems manufactured before 2010) was phased out under EPA regulations and is now very expensive — R-22 recharge can cost significantly more than on newer systems. Systems using R-410A are serviceable at normal costs today, though R-410A is also being phased down in favor of lower-GWP alternatives like R-32 and R-454B in new equipment. We identify your refrigerant type and give you clear pricing before any work begins.
### When We'll Decline to Simply "Top It Off"
If your system has a significant leak and we cannot locate and repair it, we won't simply add refrigerant and send you a bill. Releasing refrigerant to the atmosphere is a federal violation, and knowingly servicing a leaking system without addressing the leak is not something we do. We'll tell you what we found, what the repair options are, and let you make an informed decision.
Our Service Benefits
Leak-first approach
We find the leak before adding any refrigerant. Recharging without leak repair is money wasted — the refrigerant will be gone again within weeks.
Electronic leak detection
We use calibrated electronic leak detectors, not soapy water and guesswork. We find leaks at the coils, joints, and service ports that are otherwise invisible.
All refrigerant types
We work with R-22, R-410A, R-454B, and other refrigerant types. We identify your system's refrigerant and price accordingly before any work begins.
Honest options
If the leak repair cost approaches replacement cost, we tell you. We don't chase expensive R-22 repairs on systems where replacement is the smarter investment.
AC Refrigerant Recharge Cost in Los Angeles
Pricing ranges for common ac refrigerant recharge services. Your actual cost depends on equipment, complexity, and home configuration. We provide an exact written estimate before any work begins.
Service call / diagnostic
Applied to repair if you approve work
$125–$175
Common component repair
$175–$450
Refrigerant recharge
Includes leak check
$250–$650
Major component replacement
$500–$2,800
Service calls start at $125. Prices include parts and labor unless noted. Financing available on equipment installations. Learn about financing →
What Los Angeles Homeowners Say
“Had LC install a mini split in our 1940s bungalow. The work was clean, the unit is incredibly quiet. Highly recommend.”
J
Jennifer L.Hollywood, CA
“Furnace was making a loud noise. LC diagnosed it quickly, cleaned and tuned the whole system, tested CO levels, explained everything clearly.”
K
Kevin A.Burbank, CA
“We converted our garage into an ADU and needed HVAC. LC installed a mini split — permits, electrical, everything. Our tenant loves it.”
C
Carlos M.Silver Lake, CA
Brands We Service & Install for AC Refrigerant Recharge
We check system pressures against manufacturer specs to confirm and quantify the refrigerant deficiency.
02
Leak detection
We use electronic leak detectors to locate the source of refrigerant loss before any recharge is performed.
03
Repair and recharge
We repair the leak (where feasible), then recharge to manufacturer specifications using calibrated equipment.
04
Performance verification
We verify supply air temperature and system pressures after the recharge to confirm proper operation.
Customer Reviews
300+ verified reviews
5.0
Google Reviews196 reviews on Google
SM
Sharon Meoded
Los Angeles, CA
“Lior and his team installed an AC unit in my room that doesn’t have central AC and it works amazing! They were so professional and cleaned up fully after themselves. He kept me in the loop the entire process and when he came out prior to installing showed me step by step what they would be doing! Highly recommend ! Super professional”
Google Review
PW
Patricia Williams
Los Angeles, CA
“LC Heating and Air is a reliable, affordable solution for all your central air and heating needs. I am an out of town landlord and it can be difficult to find the assistance I need. LC Heating and Air took care of my tenants issues quickly and explained all issues before making necessary repairs. I will def use them again if need be!”
Google Review
NE
Naomi Eagleson
Los Angeles, CA
“I hired LC Heating & AC to replace the drain pumps in our Mitsubishi Mini Splits and clean the condenser and was pleased with the service. Leo was responsive, thorough, and professional. I chose this company based on the glowing reviews I read online and wasn't disappointed. My husband and I look forward to using our AC this summer!”
Google Review
OI
Osher Itzhaki
Los Angeles, CA
“Amazing service!! I called LC heating and air and was fortunate enough to have scheduled them for a same day appointment . Leo arrived on time and was super friendly, polite and fixed my ax in no time . The price was fair and he explained what further steps I shouted take to keep my ac unit running for more years Thank you LC!!!”
Google Review
JS
Justin Shapiro
West Hollywood, CA
“Great experience!!’ Leo came to my house in West Hollywood at 9pm !! I had an emergency, my ac stopped working out of no where i called LC heating and air from the phone call with the office to the time the tech came the service was just amazing. Leo came and had my ac running in no time. Thank you so much !! Highly recommended”
Google Review
GH
Greg Haroutunian
Los Angeles, CA
“Sunday morning discovered AC in the unit is not working, called everywhere, no one wanted to come the same day. LC Heating came the same day, fixed the problem which apparently wasn't easy to figure out. Very professional, calm and confident, pleasant to work with. Leo was the lead guy. Great experience, highly recommend it!”
Google Review
AV
Adam Valdies
Los Angeles, CA
“Leo and his team were amazing! I am so glad we called them to handle our AC/Heating issue. The problem was not clear at first and required substantial troubleshooting but Leo was extremely communicative and very professional throughout! He figured out the problem and we cannot thank him enough! Highly recommend!”
Google Review
LO
Leeyam Ohayon
Los Angeles, CA
“I called LC Heating & Air when my heating unit stopped working. He came quickly and fixed the problem fast. The technician was very kind and experienced. He explained the problem to me and gave me maintenance tips for the future. I definitely recommend LC Heating and Air if you're in need of these services.”
Google Review
AY
ariel. yona.
Los Angeles, CA
“Amazingly service me heater broke down and I was looking for a local company in my neighborhood. I found LC heating and air I can’t express in words how pleased I was with this company the owner Leo came out was very professional friendly and fixed my heater in no time !!! Highly recommended”
Google Review
KB
kevin benoit
Los Angeles, CA
“I cannot recommend this company more. They came, assess my issue and then ordered the right parts from the company and made an amazing install and transform my AC unit into a smart controlled AC unit which no Other HVAC company was able to do, or wanted to take the time that it took to do it”
Google Review
TY
Todd Yasuda
Los Angeles, CA
“Asher (LC Heating & Air) is the best, he kept me informed throughout the whole process. Everything he told me is exactly how things were done. I couldn’t have asked for a better person to work with. If you want to work with a reliable person and company, I would highly recommend him.”
Google Review
CK
claudia kleinschmidt
Los Angeles, CA
“Our AC was broken and had been dripping for a couple days. Once we called LC heating and air they sent out Asher to fix it immediately. He checked out the AC and fixed the problem on the spot. He was super professional and informative. Highly recommend Asher and the company!”
Google Review
DF
D Fan
Los Angeles, CA
“Leo is the absolute best! Had an emergency call and he came out right away in the early evening. Showed me how my units work and what the problem was. A few minutes later, it was fixed and working again! I cannot recommend this guy more highly. Call him and you'll be happy!”
Google Review
JM
Jamie Morgan
Los Angeles, CA
“LC Heating and AC is the best! I couldn’t recommend enough. It was a 100/10 experience. Helped me get to the bottom of repairing my AC that was very complicated and messed up by someone else. They are very professional and kind on top be being super knowledgeable.”
Google Review
DA
dan amiel
Los Angeles, CA
“Great service my heater stopped working out of the blue and we just had a new born I called lc heating and air they were the only ones that answered they came out and a hour my heater was up and running I couldn’t thank them enough . Highly recommended”
Google Review
YG
Yane G.
Los Angeles, CA
“Very helpful and very respectful. I called for a repair and was answered immediately, they were great in explaining what was going wrong and how they would fix it i was glad with there work and would definitely be calling them for any future repairs.”
Google Review
LA
Leetal Adelle Cohen
Los Angeles, CA
“We reached out to Leo and had a new HVAC system installed by him and his crew. Very happy with the results! Very professional, knowledgeable and patient. The whole process was very smooth, quick and clean. System works perfectly. Highly recommend”
Google Review
AM
Agam Mashiah
Los Angeles, CA
“I called lc heating to fix my heater in my house . We decided to replace the heater throughout the whole out process the customer service was great they were very communicative, professional and were very clean . Thank you again for the great job”
Google Review
CR
Charles Raffini
Los Angeles, CA
“HVAC system was leaking in the attic. Leo took my call late at night and came immediately. He stopped the leak and came back to make sure the system was working properly. Very responsive, good work and great value. Highly recommend them.”
Google Review
YY
yoav yerushalmi
Los Angeles, CA
“Scheduled an appointment very quickly for our HVAC unit that was having trouble cooling. Were very meticulous and clean. Helped idenitfy the issue and did a great job explaining what needs to be done and doing it. Highly recommended...”
Google Review
SM
Sharon Meoded
Los Angeles, CA
“Lior and his team installed an AC unit in my room that doesn’t have central AC and it works amazing! They were so professional and cleaned up fully after themselves. He kept me in the loop the entire process and when he came out prior to installing showed me step by step what they would be doing! Highly recommend ! Super professional”
Google Review
PW
Patricia Williams
Los Angeles, CA
“LC Heating and Air is a reliable, affordable solution for all your central air and heating needs. I am an out of town landlord and it can be difficult to find the assistance I need. LC Heating and Air took care of my tenants issues quickly and explained all issues before making necessary repairs. I will def use them again if need be!”
Google Review
NE
Naomi Eagleson
Los Angeles, CA
“I hired LC Heating & AC to replace the drain pumps in our Mitsubishi Mini Splits and clean the condenser and was pleased with the service. Leo was responsive, thorough, and professional. I chose this company based on the glowing reviews I read online and wasn't disappointed. My husband and I look forward to using our AC this summer!”
Google Review
OI
Osher Itzhaki
Los Angeles, CA
“Amazing service!! I called LC heating and air and was fortunate enough to have scheduled them for a same day appointment . Leo arrived on time and was super friendly, polite and fixed my ax in no time . The price was fair and he explained what further steps I shouted take to keep my ac unit running for more years Thank you LC!!!”
Google Review
JS
Justin Shapiro
West Hollywood, CA
“Great experience!!’ Leo came to my house in West Hollywood at 9pm !! I had an emergency, my ac stopped working out of no where i called LC heating and air from the phone call with the office to the time the tech came the service was just amazing. Leo came and had my ac running in no time. Thank you so much !! Highly recommended”
Google Review
GH
Greg Haroutunian
Los Angeles, CA
“Sunday morning discovered AC in the unit is not working, called everywhere, no one wanted to come the same day. LC Heating came the same day, fixed the problem which apparently wasn't easy to figure out. Very professional, calm and confident, pleasant to work with. Leo was the lead guy. Great experience, highly recommend it!”
Google Review
AV
Adam Valdies
Los Angeles, CA
“Leo and his team were amazing! I am so glad we called them to handle our AC/Heating issue. The problem was not clear at first and required substantial troubleshooting but Leo was extremely communicative and very professional throughout! He figured out the problem and we cannot thank him enough! Highly recommend!”
Google Review
LO
Leeyam Ohayon
Los Angeles, CA
“I called LC Heating & Air when my heating unit stopped working. He came quickly and fixed the problem fast. The technician was very kind and experienced. He explained the problem to me and gave me maintenance tips for the future. I definitely recommend LC Heating and Air if you're in need of these services.”
Google Review
AY
ariel. yona.
Los Angeles, CA
“Amazingly service me heater broke down and I was looking for a local company in my neighborhood. I found LC heating and air I can’t express in words how pleased I was with this company the owner Leo came out was very professional friendly and fixed my heater in no time !!! Highly recommended”
Google Review
KB
kevin benoit
Los Angeles, CA
“I cannot recommend this company more. They came, assess my issue and then ordered the right parts from the company and made an amazing install and transform my AC unit into a smart controlled AC unit which no Other HVAC company was able to do, or wanted to take the time that it took to do it”
Google Review
TY
Todd Yasuda
Los Angeles, CA
“Asher (LC Heating & Air) is the best, he kept me informed throughout the whole process. Everything he told me is exactly how things were done. I couldn’t have asked for a better person to work with. If you want to work with a reliable person and company, I would highly recommend him.”
Google Review
CK
claudia kleinschmidt
Los Angeles, CA
“Our AC was broken and had been dripping for a couple days. Once we called LC heating and air they sent out Asher to fix it immediately. He checked out the AC and fixed the problem on the spot. He was super professional and informative. Highly recommend Asher and the company!”
Google Review
DF
D Fan
Los Angeles, CA
“Leo is the absolute best! Had an emergency call and he came out right away in the early evening. Showed me how my units work and what the problem was. A few minutes later, it was fixed and working again! I cannot recommend this guy more highly. Call him and you'll be happy!”
Google Review
JM
Jamie Morgan
Los Angeles, CA
“LC Heating and AC is the best! I couldn’t recommend enough. It was a 100/10 experience. Helped me get to the bottom of repairing my AC that was very complicated and messed up by someone else. They are very professional and kind on top be being super knowledgeable.”
Google Review
DA
dan amiel
Los Angeles, CA
“Great service my heater stopped working out of the blue and we just had a new born I called lc heating and air they were the only ones that answered they came out and a hour my heater was up and running I couldn’t thank them enough . Highly recommended”
Google Review
YG
Yane G.
Los Angeles, CA
“Very helpful and very respectful. I called for a repair and was answered immediately, they were great in explaining what was going wrong and how they would fix it i was glad with there work and would definitely be calling them for any future repairs.”
Google Review
LA
Leetal Adelle Cohen
Los Angeles, CA
“We reached out to Leo and had a new HVAC system installed by him and his crew. Very happy with the results! Very professional, knowledgeable and patient. The whole process was very smooth, quick and clean. System works perfectly. Highly recommend”
Google Review
AM
Agam Mashiah
Los Angeles, CA
“I called lc heating to fix my heater in my house . We decided to replace the heater throughout the whole out process the customer service was great they were very communicative, professional and were very clean . Thank you again for the great job”
Google Review
CR
Charles Raffini
Los Angeles, CA
“HVAC system was leaking in the attic. Leo took my call late at night and came immediately. He stopped the leak and came back to make sure the system was working properly. Very responsive, good work and great value. Highly recommend them.”
Google Review
YY
yoav yerushalmi
Los Angeles, CA
“Scheduled an appointment very quickly for our HVAC unit that was having trouble cooling. Were very meticulous and clean. Helped idenitfy the issue and did a great job explaining what needs to be done and doing it. Highly recommended...”
Common questions about ac refrigerant recharge in Los Angeles
Why is my AC low on refrigerant?
Because there's a leak somewhere in the refrigerant circuit. Refrigerant doesn't deplete through normal operation — it circulates in a closed loop. Low refrigerant always means refrigerant has escaped through a crack, pin hole, failing valve, or degraded joint somewhere in the system. We find the source before adding anything.
How much does a refrigerant recharge cost in Los Angeles?
Cost depends on refrigerant type, the amount needed, and leak repair requirements. Systems using R-410A: typically $200–$450 including leak diagnosis. R-22 systems are significantly more expensive due to R-22's current market price — often $400–$900 or more. We give you a written price before any work begins.
Can I buy refrigerant and recharge my AC myself?
Legally, purchasing refrigerant in quantities over two pounds requires EPA 608 certification. Beyond the legal issue, adding refrigerant without leak detection is ineffective and potentially harmful to your system. Overcharging — putting in too much refrigerant — causes compressor damage and is just as harmful as undercharging. This is work that requires calibrated gauges and proper training.
My AC has R-22. Should I repair it or replace it?
It depends on the age and overall condition of the system. R-22 systems are typically 15+ years old. If the system has other aging components in addition to the refrigerant leak, replacement with a modern R-410A or R-32 system usually makes more financial sense. We give you an honest assessment — we don't push replacement when a repair is genuinely the better choice.
How long does a refrigerant recharge last?
If the leak is properly repaired, a recharge should last the life of the system — refrigerant doesn't deplete over time. If the leak isn't found and repaired, the refrigerant will escape again within weeks or months. This is why we won't recharge a system without first addressing the leak source.
Does low refrigerant damage my AC?
Yes, significantly. A compressor running with insufficient refrigerant is also running without adequate lubrication (refrigerant carries the compressor oil throughout the circuit) and at elevated temperatures. Prolonged operation with low refrigerant causes irreversible compressor damage — turning a $300 recharge situation into a $1,500–$3,000 compressor replacement or full system replacement.
What refrigerant does my AC use?
The refrigerant type is on the data plate of your outdoor unit. Systems manufactured before 2010 typically use R-22. Systems from 2010 onward typically use R-410A. New systems being installed now increasingly use R-454B or R-32. We identify the type before any service and price accordingly.
Is refrigerant dangerous?
In a properly sealed system, household refrigerants are not dangerous. In a significant indoor leak in a confined space, refrigerant can displace oxygen. If you smell a strong chemical odor near your air handler, ventilate the space and call us. Outdoor condenser leaks present no indoor air quality concern.
Verified Reviews
What customers say about ac refrigerant recharge
Verified reviews from Los Angeles homeowners who used our ac refrigerant recharge service.
“Called on a Saturday because AC was blowing warm air. LC answered, sent someone the same afternoon. They found and fixed a refrigerant leak. Professional and reasonably priced.”
L
Lisa P.
Encino, CA · Jul 2025
“Our AC stopped working during a heat wave and LC had a technician here within two hours. He diagnosed a bad capacitor, had the part on his truck, and fixed it on the spot. Fair price, no upsell. Will use again.”
M
Maria R.
Sherman Oaks, CA · Aug 2025
“AC compressor failed on the hottest day of the year. LC came out quickly, gave an honest assessment — said the compressor was still under manufacturer warranty — and helped me get it covered. Saved me over $1,200.”