Important: Refrigerant work is EPA regulated. ProAir Georgetown technicians hold current EPA Section 608 Universal certification. We recover, recycle, and recharge refrigerant according to federal regulations and never vent refrigerants to atmosphere.
Refrigerant Leak Detection & Testing
Professional leak detection using electronic sniffers and UV dye. Find leaks before recharging, or recharge just moves the problem.
High-sensitivity electronic leak detectors locate small leaks in coils, line sets, and fittings that visual inspection misses.
UV dye injection and black light inspection, effective for finding intermittent or slow leaks that evade electronic detection.
Pressure test refrigerant circuits with dry nitrogen to verify leak-free condition before charging new refrigerant.
Refrigerant Service & Recovery
Proper refrigerant recharge, measured by subcooling and superheat, not just pressure gauges. We charge to manufacturer spec.
EPA-compliant refrigerant recovery before any system work requiring circuit opening.
Deep vacuum pull to remove moisture and non-condensables before refrigerant charge, critical for system longevity.
Extended deep vacuum to achieve proper micron levels, we don't rush this step that protects compressor life.
Convert systems from discontinued refrigerants to approved drop-in or replacement refrigerants.
Line Set Service & Repair
Flush contaminated line sets during compressor replacement to prevent new compressor failure from acid or debris.
Professional braze repair of pinhole leaks and joint failures in copper refrigerant lines.
Repair damaged liquid line sections including crimps, kinks, and corrosion failures.
Replace deteriorated suction line insulation, critical for efficiency and preventing condensation in Georgetown's humid summers.
Seal wall and foundation penetrations around line sets to prevent pest entry and air infiltration.
Install locking valve caps to prevent refrigerant theft and unauthorized access to Schrader valves.
Cooling Circuit Components
Replace leaking Schrader valve cores, a small but common source of refrigerant loss over time.
Install or replace liquid line filter driers, required after any system opening to remove moisture and acid.
Replace leaking or damaged service valves on compressors and line set connections.
Replace failed accumulators that protect compressors from liquid refrigerant slugging.
Replace failed thermostatic expansion valves, a hunting or stuck TXV causes refrigerant distribution problems and efficiency loss.
Repair or replace discharge line mufflers that reduce compressor noise and vibration.
Evaporator & Condenser Coil Service
Clean, inspect, and service evaporator coils, dirty coils are a leading cause of reduced cooling capacity in Georgetown homes.
Replace failed or leaking evaporator coils, including proper refrigerant recovery, installation, and recharge.
Straighten bent evaporator fins to restore full airflow through the coil and recover lost capacity.
Clean condenser coils fouled by Georgetown's cottonwood, dust, and debris, critical for summer efficiency.
Repair pinhole leaks and minor damage in condenser coils when full replacement isn't required.
Deep acid wash for severely fouled condenser coils, removes mineral scale, oxidation, and embedded debris.
Address the root cause of a frozen evaporator coil, low refrigerant or restricted airflow. We fix the cause, not just defrost.
Diagnose and repair the refrigerant or airflow condition causing ice formation on copper suction lines.
Why Suction Line Insulation Fails and Why It Matters
The suction line carries cold, low-pressure refrigerant vapor back from the evaporator coil to the compressor, and it's covered in closed-cell foam insulation for two important reasons: preventing energy loss as the line passes through hot attic or crawlspace areas, and preventing condensation from forming on the cold copper surface, which would otherwise drip and potentially cause water damage or support mold growth in an enclosed space. That insulation degrades over time from UV exposure on any exposed outdoor sections, from general aging and material breakdown, from pest damage, rodents and insects sometimes chew into or nest within foam insulation, and from physical damage during other work performed near the line set.
Once insulation fails, whether through cracking, compression, or simply falling away from the line, two problems develop simultaneously. Efficiency drops because the cold refrigerant vapor in the suction line begins absorbing heat from the surrounding air before it reaches the compressor, meaning the compressor works with warmer, lower-density vapor than it's designed for, reducing overall system capacity. At the same time, condensation begins forming directly on the exposed copper, and in Georgetown's humid summer nights, when overnight humidity often stays quite high even as temperatures drop, that condensation can be substantial, dripping steadily in an attic space and soaking into insulation batting, drywall, or framing lumber over time if left unaddressed.
Replacement means removing the failed or degraded foam insulation completely, inspecting the copper line underneath for any corrosion that condensation exposure may have caused, and installing new closed-cell foam insulation sized correctly for the line diameter, with all seams properly sealed using compatible adhesive or tape rather than just wrapped loosely, since gaps in the insulation create localized cold spots where condensation still forms even with new material installed elsewhere. We pay particular attention to the insulation right where the line passes through wall or foundation penetrations, since that's a common spot for insulation to be compressed or torn during original installation and a location where a small gap has an outsized effect, since it's often in an enclosed wall cavity where dripping condensation isn't visible until real damage has already occurred.
Suction Line Insulation Questions, Georgetown TX
AC Not Cooling? Low Refrigerant?
EPA certified technicians. We find leaks, fix them, then recharge, in that order.