Refrigerant gas detector, air conditioner

How to Recognize the Smell of Refrigerant Gas, Is It Toxic?

When an air conditioner is operating normally but an unusual odor appears in the room, many people immediately feel concerned. This is often the first sign that the cooling system is experiencing a problem, most commonly a refrigerant leak.

In fact, pure refrigerant is almost colorless and has no distinct smell. However, during operation, if a leak occurs, users may still notice a sharp or slightly pungent odor. The cause is not the gas itself, but usually because the refrigerant escapes together with compressor oil or certain technical additives that are included to make leaks easier to detect.

Is the Smell of Refrigerant Gas Easy to Detect?

The smell of refrigerant gas is not always obvious. In older air conditioners that use R22 refrigerant, the odor is often stronger and may sometimes resemble the smell of rotten eggs or sulfur. Meanwhile, modern refrigerants such as R410A or R32 are much harder to detect, sometimes only leaving a faintly sweet sensation or an unclear chemical smell.

For this reason, many people may confuse a refrigerant leak with musty odors caused by mold buildup inside the indoor unit. The difference is that if the air conditioner is truly leaking refrigerant, its cooling performance will gradually weaken over time. The unit may run continuously but the room will not cool properly, accompanied by a sharp odor that does not disappear even after cleaning.

Can Refrigerant Leaks Be Harmful to Health?

Refrigerant gas released in an enclosed space can be dangerous because it displaces oxygen in the room. When the level of fresh air drops quickly, prolonged exposure may cause symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, or nausea.

For children, the elderly, or people with respiratory conditions, breathing difficulty and irritation can become more severe. In particular, R32 refrigerant also has flammable properties at high concentrations. If a large amount accumulates in a room and comes into contact with an electrical spark from a switch or household appliance, the risk of fire or explosion is entirely possible.

Why Can a Small Leak Lead to Serious Damage?

What is concerning is that refrigerant leaks often begin from very small gaps in copper pipes or oxidized welding joints. At first, the loss is minimal, so users may only notice weaker cooling and higher electricity bills because the compressor has to work harder.

If ignored, the compressor will gradually lose lubrication oil, overheat abnormally, and may eventually burn out completely. Repair costs at this stage are usually far higher than addressing the issue early.

In practice, oil stains mixed with black dust often appear around the leak point because compressor oil escapes along with the refrigerant. This is an important technical sign that helps locate the problem rather than relying only on odor in the room.

How to Check for Refrigerant Leaks Quickly and Accurately

When you suspect a gas smell, the first step is to open doors and windows for natural ventilation, turn off the air conditioner, and avoid operating electrical devices in the enclosed area.

Manual methods such as using soap bubbles may still work in some cases, but they often fail to detect tiny pinholes or hidden leak points behind insulation layers. Therefore, in professional procedures, technicians usually use handheld refrigerant leak detectors from brands such as Testo, INFICON, or Neutronics.

These sensor-based devices can quickly detect changes in refrigerant concentration in the air and precisely identify leak points, even in concealed piping inside walls or hard-to-reach areas. Accurately locating the leak from the beginning allows for thorough repairs, preventing repeated refrigerant refilling without solving the root cause.

Overall, the presence of refrigerant gas odor in a room should not be taken lightly, as it may indicate that the system has lost its airtight integrity and poses potential health and safety risks.

Early inspection using specialized leak detection equipment at EMIN is the most effective way to protect your air conditioner, prevent major breakdowns, and ensure that your living space remains safe at all times.