Refrigerant Leak Detection
We isolate where refrigerant is escaping across single-zone and multi-zone mini split systems.
Ductless Mini Split Repair
Your Mini Split Isn't Cooling. Someone Installed It Wrong or It Has a Leak.
617 HVAC provides mini split repair in Cambridge, Boston, and the surrounding area. Proprietary refrigerant leak detection. Video proof diagnosis. Written flat-rate repair quote before we start.
What Mini Split Repair Includes
Electrical and Control Diagnosis
We check voltage, control board communication, indoor and outdoor unit behavior, and system response.
Drainage and Condensate Review
We inspect drainage installation and condensate handling to prevent leaks and water damage.
Our Engineering Guarantee
Leak First, Refrigerant Second
We do not add refrigerant without finding the leak first. The source gets identified and fixed.
Video Proof Diagnosis
You see what we find before approving repair work.
Flat-Rate Repair Quote
Once diagnosis is complete, repair is quoted in writing before work begins.
Multi-Zone Capable
We can diagnose one indoor unit or an entire multi-zone ductless system.
The Air Quality Protocol
01
Mobilization
We arrive with a licensed technician, diagnostic equipment, and common mini split components.
02
Diagnostic Work
We test refrigerant levels, connections, electrical components, drainage, controls, compressor behavior, fans, and coils.
03
Video Proof Review
We document what we find and show you the evidence before quoting work.
04
Written Repair Quote
Once the issue is isolated, you receive a flat-rate repair quote.
05
Repair and Verification
If approved, we complete the repair, recharge to spec when needed, and verify performance.
The Problem With How Mini Splits Get Installed
A mini split is a refrigerant system. Refrigerant connections require proper flaring, torquing, and leak testing. Most non-HVAC installers skip the leak test entirely. They pressurize, check for obvious issues, and move on.
Small leaks do not show up immediately. They develop over weeks and months as connections that were not perfectly sealed allow refrigerant to escape slowly.
By the time a customer notices reduced performance, the system may have lost 20 to 40 percent of its refrigerant charge. At that point, just adding refrigerant does not solve anything. It buys a season until the leak empties the charge again.
We do not add refrigerant without finding the leak first. We use proprietary detection methods that isolate where refrigerant is escaping across the entire system: single unit or multi-zone, one leak source or multiple.
The Real Story
The Arlington customer's situation plays out constantly across Greater Boston. Mini split installations look simple enough that non-specialists attempt them. The equipment installs quickly. The system starts up. Everything seems fine for the first season.
Then performance declines. Rooms that used to cool well stay warm. The system runs constantly but cannot reach setpoint. The homeowner calls the original installer, who either cannot diagnose the problem or tops off the refrigerant and leaves.
She called us for a proper diagnosis. Our technician used our leak detection method to trace the refrigerant path across her system. The leak was at a connection on the outdoor unit, a fitting that had never been properly torqued. The refrigerant had been escaping from day one.
Fixed connection. Proper recharge. Video proof of the original defect and the repair. She's now on our Vital maintenance plan. Refrigerant levels are checked every quarter, and if anything changes, we catch it during a scheduled visit instead of after a performance failure.
The Two-Fee Structure
Mobilization Fee: $298. This covers getting to you with insured trucks, licensed technicians, diagnostic equipment, and common mini split components. It is credited toward repair if work is approved.
Diagnostic Fee: $198/hour, billed in 15-minute intervals. Most mini split diagnostics complete in one to two hours. You receive a written flat-rate repair quote once we know what is wrong.
Prevent the Next Failure
Refrigerant levels, electrical connections, and drainage are all checked during every maintenance visit.
Customers on our maintenance plans do not discover refrigerant leaks after a performance failure. They find out during a scheduled inspection when the fix is contained and the cost is predictable.
From the Live Cooler Blog
The latest Live Cooler articles can support this page with ductless repair, mini split diagnostics, refrigerant leaks, and cooling-performance answers.
Related Services
- Mini Split Installation - New ductless system, correctly installed.
- AC Repair - Central AC repair with video proof diagnosis.
- Maintenance Plans - Quarterly refrigerant checks and priority service.
Service Area
617 HVAC provides mini split repair throughout Arlington, Bedford, Belmont, Boston, Brookline, Burlington, Cambridge, Concord, Lexington, Lincoln, Medford, Natick, Needham, Newton, Norwood, Somerville, Sudbury, Waltham, Watertown, Wayland, Wellesley, Weston, Westwood, Winchester, and Woburn.
Service Area
Serving Greater Boston and nearby communities.
Arlington, MABedford, MABelmont, MABoston, MABrookline, MABurlington, MACambridge, MAConcord, MALexington, MALincoln, MAMedford, MANatick, MANeedham, MANewton, MANorwood, MASomerville, MASudbury, MAWaltham, MAWatertown, MAWayland, MAWellesley, MAWeston, MAWestwood, MAWinchester, MAWoburn, MA