[housemusicfan]

Sounds like FUD. A properly installed AC leaks nothing because it is by design a sealed system. I wonder if they feel the same about refrigerators.

These same smooth-brains are probably extolling the benefits of heat pump water heaters not realizing they have the equivalent of an AC attached to them.

[aa_is_op]

They do leak. That's why you have to replenish their gas reserves every 2-3-4 years (based on brand). Had to do mine two years ago.

[housemusicfan]

This is false. They're not supposed to leak. "Replenish gas reserves" is not a regularly scheduled maintenance item. In fact it's illegal for a technician to add refrigerant more than once without identifying and repairing the source of the leak. Unless you did something stupid like tried to install a split system yourself.

If your unit leaks refrigerant it needs to be repaired. This is not normal.

[Finnucane]

“Not supposed to” is a very weak condition in manufacturing these days.

[housemusicfan]

ICE cars aren't supposed to explode nor are EVs supposed to burst into flames via inextinguishable battery fires.

But sometimes they do.

We don't use this outlier data to refer to them as conflagrations-on-wheels and assert it's a normal function of the device just to strengthen our biased case.

[Finnucane]

Sure but battery fires are still a problem that needs to be fixed and not ignored. Also, even though it doesn’t happen often, when it does the results can be catastrophic. So it is a reasonable concern.

[Dylan16807]

You have to deal with battery fires but they're not a climate issue.

[stephen_g]

What? I’ve never heard of a system that (with proper installation etc.) needs to be replenished anything like that often! Where are these brands you’re talking about from?!

Car air conditioners maybe, but it seems unbelievable for fixed systems of any reasonable quality…

[callalex]

You are being fleeced by some shady repair business. Can you point me to the user manual of your machine where it calls for such frequent recharging?

[userbinator]

Find the leak and fix it. They're not supposed to leak.

AC should be as sealed as a fridge, and you don't hear people having to recharge their fridges every few years.

Even ignoring the environmental concerns of refrigerant leaks, it's wasteful of your money too.

[WheatMillington]

If you're replacing your gas every 2-4 years, something is terribly wrong.

[SirMaster]

I've been using my window AC unit for 10 years now. Have not had to replenish any gas...

They definitely aren't supposed to leak.