How Much Does It Cost to Fix a Freon Leak in a Refrigerator?

It is only a name that confuses people. Modern refrigerators do not use Freon anymore. That coolant has been outlawed since 1994. What modern fridges use is another coolant, but the name Freon has stuck.

The term Freon is an umbrella term used to describe all acceptable and legal gasses used in different appliances. If you have an older Fridge that still uses Freon, then your costs to fix the leak may be a lot higher. Keep reading to find out the actual cost of repairing a Freon leak in a refrigerator.

Signs That Tell You There is a Freon Leak

Whenever a component goes bad in an appliance, especially a fridge, you get a lot of signs that tell you there is a problem. When you start to see the following signs, you need to identify whether it is a Freon leak or another source.

• The interior of the fridge is not getting cold
• The motor keeps on working and never shuts off
• Your electric bill is getting higher
• There is an oil puddle on your floor
• Health issues begin to occur

What Are the Causes of a Freon Leak?

The coolant system in your fridge is a closed system and it takes a lot to have the gas leak out. But it can and does take place. One way to find out if you have a leak or not is to turn the fridge off and then listen.

If there is a leak, you should hear a hissing sound and you should be able to hear a gurgling sound. When you hear that sound, the cause for the leak could be a break in the tubing, a crack, or even a little scratch.

What also causes a leak is when someone scrapes the ‘snow’ of the tubing. When you discover a leak, you should get it taken care of right away. One reason why you do this is that your food may spoil under the warmer temperature inside the unit.

The other reason is that escaping Freon gas can cause different health issues. These issues include but are not limited to the following: burns on your skin, breathing problems, eye irritation, nausea, and so on. These are not all serious but can develop into more serious problems if the leak is not fixed right away.

The Cost of Fixing a Freon Leak

As usual, the cost to repair the leak will depend a lot on where the leak is located and the type of fridge you own. Those details can only be determined when you find that you actually have a leak.

The good news is that the cost of repair is generally between $200 and $300. That is about the average you can expect to pay and if you do not hire an ethical repairman the costs can go a lot higher.

Then, the actual cost will depend on the city you live in. Places like New York, Chicago, and Miami which have a higher standard of living, may cost you more than if you lived in Denver, Boise, or Bismarck.

The best thing you can do when you find yourself in this situation is to call around and get as many estimates as possible. Then pick the company that will do quality work for the right price and in a reasonable amount of time.

How to Check for a Freon Leak

There are 3 ways you can check to see if you actually have a gas leak. Since the coolant is odorless and colorless, smelling and seeing are not part of those 3 methods. Here are those 3 methods:

1. Leak Kit- These kits can be picked up at different hardware outlets and they are able to detect Freon gas when it is in the air.
2. Spray Bottle & Soap and Water- This is the tried-and-true method that tells you there is a leak anywhere. Just spray a little mixture on the tubing to find the location of the link. If there is one, this method will tell you.
3. Hire A Professional – These guys are experts at tracking down a leak and should find one if it does exist.

Fixing a Freon leak in your fridge is not going to be that expensive. The cost is reasonable and if you get it done right away you should avoid ruining any of your food.

If you are unsure about handling the leak yourself or do not want to deal with the problem, hire a professional. They can find and fix the leak in no time.