Signs that air conditioner refrigerant leak repair needs prompt professional attention
A refrigerant leak usually shows up as a change in cooling behavior, not as a single definitive symptom. Rooms may stay warm or humid even though the thermostat has been calling for cooling for a long time. The supply air may be only slightly cooler than the return air, the outdoor unit may run almost continuously, or cooling may deteriorate again after a recent service visit. A faint hiss or bubbling sound near a coil, valve, or line can justify an air conditioner hissing noise repair appointment, but sound alone does not locate a leak. Airflow through a grille, condensate movement, and refrigerant moving through a metering device can produce similar noises.
Ice on the evaporator cabinet, suction line, or outdoor service valve needs prompt attention because continued operation can worsen the problem and create water damage when the ice melts. A frozen AC coil refrigerant leak is one possibility: loss of refrigerant can reduce evaporator pressure and temperature until moisture freezes on the coil. However, a clogged filter, dirty evaporator, weak blower, closed dampers, blocked return, or incorrect fan setting can cause the same visible result. An air conditioner low refrigerant repair should therefore begin with airflow and heat-load checks rather than a refrigerant refill based on ice alone.
Oil staining provides a more specific clue. Refrigerant circulates with compressor oil, so a greasy deposit around a service valve, braze joint, distributor tube, coil bend, or rubbed line may mark an escape point. Physical damage to a line set, recurring loss of capacity after refrigerant was added, and a detector alarm confirmed at one component are stronger reasons to arrange AC refrigerant leak service. Refrigerant is contained in a closed circuit; an intact residential system does not consume it during normal operation.
Turn cooling off and seek urgent help if the compressor is knocking, the unit repeatedly trips its breaker, a copper line has been cut or crushed, or a large release may have occurred in a confined area. Keep people away from damaged equipment. Escaping liquid can cause cold burns, high-pressure components can injure anyone attempting a do-it-yourself repair, and refrigerant can displace air in a poorly ventilated enclosure. Smoke, arcing, or a burning electrical odor is an electrical or fire emergency, not evidence that refrigerant should be added.
A recent “top-off” followed by another loss of cooling is a reason to request leak location and a bounded repair proposal. The EPA’s homeowner FAQ advises having leaks located and repaired instead of repeatedly topping off a leaking system; see the EPA homeowners and consumers refrigerant FAQ. When calling a contractor, report the timeline, icing, noises, oil marks, filter condition, prior refrigerant quantities, and any recent construction near the equipment. Those observations help establish the starting conditions without pretending to identify the failed part.
Immediate safety steps before air conditioner refrigerant leak repair
If ice is visible, switch the thermostat from cooling to off. The indoor fan may be left on to help thaw the coil only when the manufacturer permits it, the blower is functioning normally, and meltwater is draining without reaching electrical parts. Never strike or pry ice from the coil, and do not use a torch, heat gun, or hair dryer. Coil fins and tubing are easily damaged, while forced heating can create electrical and refrigerant hazards. Protect finishes below an attic or closet air handler and monitor the drain pan as thawing progresses.
Homeowner checks should stop at ordinary, accessible maintenance. Photograph the filter before replacing a visibly blocked disposable filter with the correct size and airflow orientation. Uncover supply registers and return grilles. Do not remove electrical panels, depress a service-valve core, tighten refrigerant fittings, attach a charging hose, or spray leak solution inside energized equipment. A thawed cabinet does not mean the entire coil is clear or that the cause has disappeared, so leave the system off unless the service company directs a controlled test.
Keep children and pets away from the indoor unit, condenser, line set, oily residue, and any damaged insulation. If a line has been severed, do not touch it or attempt to stop the release. Move away and provide ventilation from a safe position when appropriate. If anyone experiences dizziness, breathing difficulty, or a cold-contact injury after a release, leave the area and seek emergency medical guidance. The HVAC appointment does not replace immediate medical or fire response.
Locate model and serial labels, installation records, warranty documents, and invoices showing previous refrigerant additions. The outdoor nameplate normally identifies the designed refrigerant, but prior alterations or mixed contents require professional evaluation. Clear a safe route to both coils and the electrical disconnect without moving or dismantling equipment. EPA explains that technicians who maintain, service, repair, or dispose of equipment that could release regulated refrigerants must have the applicable certification. Ask the company to confirm the qualification that applies; the phrase EPA certified HVAC technician should refer to an actual credential, not a marketing shortcut.
How technicians diagnose leak detection, component repair, evacuation, charge, and performance
A defensible diagnosis begins outside the sealed circuit. The technician confirms the complaint and equipment identity, then checks the thermostat demand, filter, blower speed and direction, accessible duct restrictions, dampers, registers, evaporator and condenser cleanliness, fan operation, and fault history. Airflow must be credible before refrigerant pressures are interpreted. Low airflow can reduce suction pressure, freeze the evaporator, distort superheat, and imitate an undercharged system. Outdoor temperature, indoor humidity, load, control mode, and metering-device type also change what normal readings look like.
When operating conditions are safe, the technician records the measurements appropriate to the system: indoor return wet-bulb or humidity, indoor and outdoor dry-bulb temperature, supply temperature, suction and liquid pressures, line temperatures, superheat, subcooling, compressor current, and sometimes total external static pressure or delivered airflow. A fixed-orifice system, thermostatic expansion valve, electronic expansion valve, and variable-capacity heat pump do not share one universal charging rule. Readings should be evaluated against the manufacturer’s service data and current operating mode.
HVAC leak detection service then moves from evidence of charge loss to a physical location. An electronic detector can survey service valves, caps, coil headers, distributor tubes, return bends, braze joints, filter-driers, accumulators, and accessible line-set sections. A compatible bubble solution can confirm a small accessible opening under suitable pressure. Ultraviolet dye may be useful when the equipment maker permits it and the oil circuit has carried the dye to the fault, but dye should not become a substitute for careful inspection or a justification for an unapproved additive.
If the circuit has little charge, the leak is intermittent, or a concealed section must be isolated, recovery may be followed by testing with dry nitrogen and an approved trace gas. The contractor may divide indoor coil, outdoor coil, and line set into separately monitored sections. Oxygen and compressed air are not acceptable pressure-test gases for a refrigerant circuit. A detector response near an evaporator does not automatically justify evaporator coil leak repair; the result should be narrowed to the coil, a joint, a valve, or an access-limited area and documented accordingly.
Once the failed component is identified, the repair can be designed around it. A leaking valve core, rubbed copper tube, failed braze, corroded condenser coil refrigerant leak, or porous evaporator coil each has a different labor, access, warranty, and replacement boundary. The technician should explain whether refrigerant recovery is required, what must be removed for access, whether a filter-drier is being replaced, and which new joints will need testing. Concealed refrigerant line repair should distinguish HVAC work from wall, ceiling, slab, or finish restoration.
After mechanical work, pressure testing checks the repaired point and every disturbed connection. Evacuation then removes air, moisture, and residual vapor using a vacuum pump, appropriate hoses, and a micron gauge positioned to represent system pressure. A documented isolation or decay observation adds information that a manifold gauge reading below zero cannot provide. Only after tightness and dehydration are satisfactory should the specified refrigerant be weighed in and verified under valid conditions. AC system evacuation and recharge is complete when the final charge, airflow, drainage, electrical operation, and cooling performance are recorded, not when a cylinder is disconnected.
Warning signs of repeated top-offs, incorrect refrigerant, compressor damage, and unsafe handling
An invoice that lists pounds of refrigerant but no leak-search method, leak location, baseline readings, or follow-up condition is a warning sign. Added refrigerant may temporarily restore capacity while the opening continues to release it. A proposal to return every few months for another refill converts a repairable fault into recurring cost and uncertainty. A staged search can be legitimate when a leak is tiny or inaccessible, but each stage should have a stated test, price, result, and stop point.
Refrigerant identity cannot be inferred from cylinder color or fitting shape. Different products have distinct pressure-temperature relationships, glide characteristics, oils, charging procedures, safety classifications, and component approvals. If the nameplate is unreadable, service records conflict, or mixed refrigerant is suspected, ask how the contractor will identify and manage the recovered material. Adding a substitute to an existing charge is not a retrofit. A legitimate conversion needs an approved procedure addressing recovery, oil, metering components, capacity, labels, controls, and warranty consequences.
Compressor damage requires evidence beyond an unpleasant sound. High current, thermal trips, winding test results, abnormal discharge temperature, oil condition, acid indicators after a burnout, and pressures that do not respond normally can define the problem. Low charge can reduce motor cooling or produce excessive discharge temperature, yet it does not automatically condemn the compressor. Conversely, replacing a failed compressor without correcting airflow, voltage, contamination, charge, or the leak mechanism can expose the replacement to the same failure.
Unsafe practices include deliberately venting refrigerant, pressure-testing with oxygen, heating a cylinder improperly, brazing without appropriate nitrogen flow and fire controls, charging by pressure alone, and leaving live conductors exposed. Stop the job through the company and keep clear if the work appears hazardous. EPA’s guidance on purchasing and repairing home air conditioners and heat pumps explains that leaking systems can harm the environment and increase operation and maintenance costs, and it addresses routine servicing and certified refrigerant handling. Jobsite pressure, electrical, cylinder, and hot-work safety still depend on the contractor’s competent procedures.
The step-by-step air conditioner refrigerant leak repair process
The service call starts with a baseline. The technician records the equipment model, refrigerant designation, control call, indoor and outdoor conditions, visible ice or oil, filter and blower condition, fault codes, and prior service history. The system runs only when operation is unlikely to compound damage. Airflow, coil cleanliness, fans, dampers, controls, and electrical supply are checked before low charge is declared.
Next, operating measurements are gathered and compared with the equipment’s charging and performance procedure. If the pattern supports charge loss, accessible components are inspected with an appropriate detector. The technician confirms the smallest practical location with repeatable detector response, bubble solution, visual oil evidence, or isolation testing. If normal operation is impossible, recovery and nitrogen-based testing may be proposed before a specific repair can be priced.
Opening the circuit requires controlled recovery into suitable equipment. Access is then created without damaging adjacent wiring, drains, cabinets, or building finishes. A rubbed tube may be cut back and replaced with correctly sized refrigerant-grade copper. Brazing normally uses a low flow of dry nitrogen through the tubing to reduce internal scale. A valve, filter-drier, pressure control, metering device, coil, or compressor must match the equipment and the approved refrigerant and oil system.
The repaired circuit is pressurized with dry nitrogen within the component and manufacturer limits. The contractor checks the new repair and every connection disturbed during access, then observes stability for a stated period while accounting for ambient temperature. If the test fails, leak isolation resumes. A longer vacuum does not cure an opening. Test gas is removed before evacuation, and a compatible filter-drier is installed where the repair procedure, circuit exposure, or contamination risk requires it.
Evacuation uses clean, low-restriction connections and a micron gauge at the system rather than relying solely on the pump’s gauge. The technician pulls the system to the target specified by the procedure and isolates it to observe vacuum behavior. A rapid rise can indicate leakage or trapped refrigerant; a slower rise that levels may reflect remaining moisture or outgassing. The response must be interpreted with system size, hose setup, temperature, and the documented pressure test in view.
The correct refrigerant is then introduced by weight, including manufacturer adjustments for line length or installed accessories. After airflow is set and load conditions are suitable, charge is verified by the prescribed method, often subcooling for a system with a controlled expansion valve or superheat for a fixed metering device. Startup finishes with thermostat response, compressor and fan current, supply and return temperatures, condensate flow, vibration, service-cap sealing, and a final leak check. The handover identifies the failed point, repair, test results, refrigerant type and quantity, operating readings, warranty, and any weather-limited test awaiting a return visit.
Comparing repairing a leak and replacing aging equipment
Cause-specific repair is often the sensible choice when the opening is at an accessible valve, cap seal, joint, or isolated tubing section and the remaining system is in good mechanical condition. A younger coil with one repairable rub point differs from a coil showing widespread corrosion. The repair estimate should include all work needed to return the circuit to service: recovery where necessary, access, part or tubing work, testing, evacuation, refrigerant, and commissioning. The price of the small failed part alone is not the price of a sealed-system repair.
Replacement deserves a parallel quote when multiple leaks exist, a coil is broadly deteriorated, a compressor has failed, a required component is unavailable, or the repair approaches the value of equipment with other major defects. Age is context rather than proof. Useful comparison data include documented leak location, compressor and heat-exchanger condition, past repair history, remaining parts availability, refrigerant availability, efficiency under actual use, and the warranties offered for each path.
The nameplate refrigerant affects future service options without dictating the answer by itself. An R-22 system can carry higher material and component costs, while a newer system can still be a poor candidate after a severe electrical burnout or repeated coil failures. The EPA homeowner FAQ notes that a refrigerant phaseout does not by itself require owners to replace existing equipment. A contractor recommending conversion should name the replacement refrigerant and show the approved procedure, capacity effect, oil and metering requirements, relabeling, and warranty position.
A replacement proposal should cover a matched indoor and outdoor system rather than only the condenser. Coil compatibility, metering device, blower performance, controls, line-set condition, electrical capacity, condensate routing, permits, and startup testing all affect the result. Sizing should be supported by the home’s load and duct capacity; copying the old nominal tonnage can repeat comfort and humidity problems. Published efficiency applies to a rated combination, not an arbitrary collection of components.
Ask for repair and replacement options with the same boundaries. The repair option should state what was found, which uncertainties remain, and what could change the price. The replacement option should list exact model numbers, included accessories and line work, disposal and refrigerant handling, permits, commissioning, and separate labor and equipment warranties. The better decision follows the documented condition and total scope, not urgency language or an unsupported prediction of remaining life.
Parts, materials, and system details that must match for air conditioner refrigerant leak repair
Every replacement part must fit the equipment’s refrigerant, pressure range, capacity, oil, electrical characteristics, and flow direction. A coil must match cabinet dimensions, airflow orientation, connections, metering strategy, and the approved indoor-outdoor combination where rating or warranty depends on it. Service valves, cores, caps, filter-driers, pressure controls, and accumulators also have rated working pressures and compatibility limits. “Universal” on a package is not proof that a component belongs in a particular system.
Tubing work requires the correct copper type and diameter, clean internal surfaces, suitable fittings, support, isolation from vibration, and insulation on cold lines. A new section should not rub against sheet metal, masonry, another pipe, or a cabinet edge. Wall penetrations need sleeves or protection and weather sealing that does not trap water against the line. Where a concealed line cannot be repaired reliably, rerouting may offer a more inspectable path, but the proposal should address appearance, condensate risk, fire-rated assemblies, and finish work.
The refrigerant and compressor oil must remain compatible with the equipment and repair method. Blended refrigerants can require liquid charging to maintain composition. Recovered material that is mixed or contaminated may need separate handling rather than immediate return to the system. Oil should not be added by guesswork: component replacement, measured loss, and the maker’s procedure determine whether an adjustment is needed. Excess oil can reduce heat transfer and create its own operating problems.
Electrical substitutions also deserve scrutiny. A compressor, contactor, capacitor, fan motor, crankcase heater, sensor, or control board must match voltage, phase, ratings, control logic, and protective devices. A variable-speed replacement may require programming or configuration rather than simple wire-for-wire connection. Parts changed merely to gain access should be identified, and connectors, insulation, grommets, panel screws, and bonding paths should be restored after the sealed-system work.
Documentation is part of compatibility. Record the original and replacement part numbers, refrigerant designation, charge amount, filter-drier model and direction, oil type or quantity changed, and any approved retrofit instructions. Permanent labels should reflect an authorized conversion or altered charge. That record protects the next technician from choosing a cylinder or part based on an obsolete nameplate or an unlabeled field modification.
Tests that confirm air conditioner refrigerant leak repair addressed the root cause
The first proof is location-specific tightness. The repaired point and disturbed joints should show no detector or bubble indication at the chosen test pressure, and the isolated circuit should remain stable for the stated interval after temperature effects are considered. Recording “nitrogen test passed” without pressure, duration, or acceptance basis leaves little diagnostic value. When separate sections were isolated, the invoice should state which section failed and which sections held.
The second proof is controlled evacuation. The service record should include where the micron gauge was connected, the achieved vacuum, the isolation period, and the observed rise. A deep initial number that rebounds immediately is not equivalent to a dry, tight system. Pressure testing and vacuum testing answer related but different questions; neither should be omitted because the other appeared successful.
The third proof is charge and capacity under valid operating conditions. Refrigerant added is weighed, airflow is confirmed, and target versus actual superheat or subcooling is recorded when that method applies. Indoor humidity, return-air condition, outdoor temperature, equipment staging, and elapsed run time should be adequate for interpretation. A temperature split by itself cannot prove correct charge because airflow, humidity, load, and coil condition all influence it.
Finally, the technician looks for the mechanism behind the leak. New supports or grommets should stop vibration and rubbing; drainage should prevent water from attacking a cabinet or coil; fan and coil condition should keep pressures in range; and electrical measurements should reveal whether the compressor is operating normally. A follow-up detector check at the repaired area, normal thermostat cycle, stable condensate flow, and retained baseline readings create a practical reference if capacity later changes.
Related damage and system checks after air conditioner refrigerant leak repair
Coil ice can release a surprising amount of water after shutdown. Inspect the primary drain pan, auxiliary pan where present, trap, drain line, overflow switch, cabinet seams, insulation, ceiling below an attic unit, and nearby flooring. A flowing drain does not prove the pan is sound or that soaked insulation is dry. Stained drywall, wet framing, or suspected microbial growth may require drying and building remediation outside the HVAC repair scope.
Airflow deserves a fresh review because it can imitate low charge and increase compressor stress. Confirm the filter’s size and pressure effect, blower wheel condition, motor operation, speed or airflow setting, return path, supply registers, zoning dampers, and accessible duct restrictions. Installing the highest-rated filter is not automatically beneficial if the blower cannot overcome its resistance. EPA’s Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home explains that filtration addresses only some airborne pollutants and does not replace source control and ventilation; it does not diagnose an iced coil or refrigerant charge.
Electrical checks should cover supply voltage, terminals, disconnect condition, contactor, capacitors where used, fan current, compressor current, grounding, and damaged insulation. A compressor that ran with an abnormal refrigerant condition may need closer evaluation, but replacement should be based on measurements and condition. If burnout indicators are present, the repair plan may require contamination control, additional filter-drier work, and scheduled testing rather than only installing a new compressor.
Heat rejection and drainage affect performance after the leak is closed. The outdoor coil should be clean enough to pass air, the fan should rotate correctly, and hot discharge air should not recirculate because of debris or poor clearance. Indoors, panels and insulation must return to their intended positions so air cannot bypass the coil or draw humid attic air into the cabinet. The drain must operate throughout a normal cooling cycle without overflow or nuisance shutdown.
The final survey should look for conditions that could create another opening: unsupported line sets, missing sleeves, copper rubbing a panel, landscaping damage, loose service caps, vibration from an unbalanced fan, and deteriorated insulation exposing cold pipe to condensation. The invoice should separate items corrected within the authorized job from observations requiring a distinct estimate. That prevents a focused refrigerant repair from quietly expanding into unrelated work.
What affects air conditioner refrigerant leak repair cost and timing
Diagnosis price depends heavily on access and leak behavior. Confirming a valve-core leak at the condenser is different from tracing a minute evaporator leak, isolating a multi-zone branch, or testing a line buried in a wall or slab. A quote may separate the service call, operating diagnosis, recovery, nitrogen and trace gas, extended electronic detection, section isolation, access, and a return visit. Ask what deliverable the diagnostic fee buys and whether any portion is credited to an approved repair.
The component sets the next cost boundary. An accessible tube repair may use little material but still require recovery, brazing controls, pressure testing, evacuation, refrigerant, and performance verification. Coil and compressor work adds the part, freight, cabinet disassembly, electrical work, filter-drier, oil or contamination measures, permits in some jurisdictions, and longer commissioning. Concealed line work may need a separate contractor for drywall, roofing, masonry, paint, or finish restoration.
Refrigerant type and system charge can materially change the total. A large split system and long line set hold more than a compact unit; an older or constrained refrigerant may cost more per unit. The estimate should state whether refrigerant is included up to an allowance, billed by measured quantity, or priced as the full factory-plus-line charge. It should also address recovered refrigerant, contaminated contents, and the approval point for material beyond the estimate. “Freon included” is too vague for comparison.
Scheduling depends on exact part availability, manufacturer warranty authorization, equipment access, weather, cooling load, permit or inspection requirements, and whether the home can safely wait without cooling. A mechanical repair can be complete while final charge verification remains limited by low outdoor temperature or insufficient indoor load. If a return visit is required, the invoice should state what remains unverified, when it will be tested, and whether operation in the interim is permitted.
Before the circuit is opened, obtain a written price for the defined stage and a clear change-order rule. It should name the component or diagnostic objective; recovery; access; materials; pressure test; evacuation; refrigerant; startup readings; taxes and permits; warranty; and exclusions. It should also define what happens if testing exposes a second leak, mixed refrigerant, compressor damage, an unavailable part, or concealed building work. This gives the homeowner control without forcing the contractor to guarantee conditions that cannot yet be observed.
Final safety, function, and cleanup verification for air conditioner refrigerant leak repair
Closeout begins with physical restoration. Electrical covers, service panels, valve caps, pipe insulation, line supports, grommets, drain fittings, guards, and cabinet fasteners should be secure. Brazing shields and fire-watch procedures should be complete, with no heat damage or smoldering material. Tools, wire, tubing scraps, old components, packaging, test cylinders, and recovered-refrigerant containers should leave the property through the contractor’s handling process.
The system should complete a normal thermostat call without exposed conductors, abnormal vibration, rapid cycling, condensate overflow, or recurring fault codes. The indoor blower and outdoor components should start, stage, and stop as intended. Air should reach the expected registers, the thermostat should approach setpoint, and the cold line should be insulated so normal condensation does not drip onto building material. The homeowner should be told which sounds and moisture are expected and which conditions require shutdown.
Written results are more useful than “it is cooling.” The completion record should identify the equipment, precise leak location, component or tubing work, new part numbers, refrigerant and quantity, pressure-test pressure and duration, evacuation result, charge-verification method, indoor and outdoor conditions, superheat or subcooling where applicable, temperature readings, airflow basis, compressor current, and drain performance. Weather or access limitations should be explicit, with any follow-up date and included work stated.
Warranty terms should distinguish the repaired point, replacement component, labor, refrigerant, diagnostic work, and response to a future leak elsewhere. A coil warranty does not imply that every sealed-system part is covered. Confirm registration deadlines, who administers the labor warranty, and whether refrigerant is included in a covered callback. Keep photos, readings, model numbers, and invoices with the equipment records to establish a new baseline.
Before final payment, verify that a known leak has not been left open, a temporary charge has not been labeled as a completed repair, and a promised return visit has a defined purpose. Any additional condition should appear as a separate recommendation or authorized change. The finished result is a safely reassembled, operating system with traceable evidence of tightness, dehydration, correct charge, and performance within the limits of the test conditions.
Questions to ask before authorizing air conditioner refrigerant leak repair
Authorization should convert the diagnosis into a specific job. Give competing contractors the same equipment history and ask them to explain what their evidence proves, what remains unknown, and which step resolves that uncertainty. A low pressure reading can justify further investigation, but it does not by itself identify a coil or authorize replacement. For an inaccessible or intermittent leak, approve one defined diagnostic stage at a time.
- Which airflow and electrical checks came before the refrigerant diagnosis? Request the relevant filter, blower, coil, register, temperature, voltage, and current observations.
- Where is the leak and how was it confirmed? Ask for the component and precise area, test method, photographs when practical, and any inaccessible section that remains unproved.
- Does the price cover diagnosis, physical repair, or both? Identify recovery, access, parts, nitrogen testing, evacuation, refrigerant, commissioning, permits, and finish restoration.
- Why is this repair preferable to a coil, line, compressor, or complete-system replacement? The answer should connect measured condition, availability, age, past failures, and warranty to the recommendation.
- Which refrigerant, oil, and replacement parts will be used? Confirm equipment approval, part numbers, charge method, and the procedure for any proposed conversion.
- How will the repaired circuit be proved tight and dry? Obtain the pressure-test medium, pressure and duration, micron target, isolation observation, and acceptance basis.
- How will charge and performance be documented? Ask for weighed quantity, airflow confirmation, manufacturer-appropriate superheat or subcooling, operating conditions, temperatures, current, and drain operation.
- What finding can change the price or stop the job? Set approval points for another leak, concealed piping, mixed refrigerant, contamination, compressor damage, unavailable parts, extra refrigerant, and building work.
- Which qualifications, permits, insurance, and warranties apply? Confirm applicable refrigerant certification and local licensing, plus separate component, labor, refrigerant, and callback terms.
- What records and follow-up will I receive? Require the leak location, work description, part numbers, test results, charge data, limitations, cleanup confirmation, and date for any weather-dependent verification.
A contractor may reasonably retain uncertainty when piping is concealed or a leak appears only under particular temperatures. What matters is that uncertainty has a named test, price ceiling, and decision point. Decline an open-ended instruction to “fix the AC,” and do not treat repeated refrigerant additions as air conditioner refrigerant leak repair when the company has not explained why locating and closing the leak is impractical.