Refrigerant top-offs are an expensive myth

Cool Talk with Hartzell's | Your HVAC Questions, Answered! · May 22, 2026 · 24m · transcript

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HOST A: Dave, a homeowner called you yesterday because their AC ran fine in May and now the house won't get below 78 in the afternoon. What was your first question? HOST B: How long since the last refrigerant top off. They said two summers ago, paid 380 dollars to add freon. That tells me everything I need to know before I even drive out there. They have a leak. They have had a leak for at least two years. And whatever tech topped them off in 2024 did them no favors.

I'm Dave Hartzell at Hartzell's Heat & Air in Kingfisher, Oklahoma. 45 years in the trade, Master HVAC…