Most fridges never need regassing. The refrigerant circulates in a sealed system and is not used up, so a fridge that is low on gas has a leak, and the leak has to be found and repaired before it is regassed. Checkatrade's November 2026 guide puts regassing at around £60 to £200, and a leak repair with regassing at around £180 to £350. It is not a DIY job.
This guide explains why fridges lose gas, how to tell a gas problem from the faults that look like one, how regassing should be done, and the rules for commercial refrigeration, where F gas law applies.
At a glance
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Does a fridge need regular regassing? | No. The gas only escapes through a leak |
| How long does fridge gas last? | For the life of the fridge, unless the system is damaged or leaks |
| Typical regas cost (Checkatrade, Nov 2026) | About £60 to £200 |
| Leak repair and regas (Checkatrade, Nov 2026) | About £180 to £350 |
| Can I do it myself? | No. It needs a trained, and for F gas a certified, engineer |
| Most domestic fridges use | R600a (isobutane), a flammable natural refrigerant |
Why a fridge does not run out of gas
A fridge's cooling system is a closed loop. GE Appliances' explanation of how a sealed system works sets out the cycle: the compressor pumps refrigerant gas into the condenser, where it gives up heat and turns to liquid, a narrow capillary tube feeds that liquid slowly into the evaporator, where it evaporates and produces the cooling, and the compressor draws the gas back to start again. The same refrigerant goes round and round, continuously.
Nothing in that cycle consumes the gas. UK Whitegoods, a long-running UK appliance repair resource, makes the point bluntly in its guide to refrigerant gas myths: domestic systems are sealed, and in all practical terms they do not leak unless something damages them. Because the charge is so small, a leak shows up quickly, as a fridge that stops cooling within hours or days rather than slowly over years.
So when a fridge is said to "need gas", the real question is where the gas went.
How fridges lose gas
- Physical damage. UK Whitegoods says that in virtually every case, a domestic leak comes from physical impact damage, or from someone puncturing part of the system they should not have touched.
- Corrosion with age. After many years, copper or aluminium pipework can corrode until it no longer holds gas. By then, UK Whitegoods notes, most units are well beyond economical repair.
- A poor repair. A joint that was not made properly after a previous repair can leak once the system has been opened and recharged.
- Vibration and wear. On commercial systems, with long pipe runs, more joints and heavier use, leaks are more common, which is one reason the law requires them to be checked.
Signs your fridge may be low on gas
Checkatrade's guide notes that a fridge that runs but does not cool properly could have a refrigerant leak, although other faults can cause similar symptoms. Signs that point towards a gas problem include:
- The compressor runs, but the cabinet will not get cold.
- The fridge or freezer stopped cooling fairly suddenly, perhaps after it was moved or defrosted.
- On a commercial system, the engineer's gauges show low pressures, or there are oil marks around a joint.
Before assuming it is the gas, rule out the cheaper causes, which are far more common:
- A damaged or dirty door seal letting warm air in.
- A condenser clogged with dust, or a cabinet pushed tight against a wall.
- An evaporator fan that has stopped, or an evaporator iced up.
- A faulty thermostat or temperature probe.
- A cabinet overloaded, or loaded with warm food.
Our guide to commercial fridges that stop cooling walks through these checks in order.
How regassing should be done
A proper job is a leak repair with a recharge at the end, not a top-up. In outline, an engineer will:
- Confirm the fault, so a fridge with a dead fan or a bad seal is not regassed for nothing.
- Find the leak, using a detector suited to that refrigerant.
- Repair it, usually by brazing or replacing the damaged section.
- Pressure test the repair to make sure it holds.
- Evacuate the system with a vacuum pump to remove air and moisture.
- Weigh in the correct charge of the correct refrigerant, which is shown on the appliance's rating plate.
- Run and test the fridge to confirm it reaches temperature.
Topping up a leaking system without repairing it just buys time until the gas leaks out again, and on a commercial system it does not meet the legal duty to repair leaks.
Domestic fridges: R600a and why it needs care
Most modern household fridges use R600a, isobutane. Compressor maker Secop lists R600a and R290 as the typical flammable refrigerants in household and light commercial appliances, and says installation, service and repair of systems using them must be carried out by properly trained personnel. During service, it says, any potential sources of ignition should be removed, the space ventilated, and a leak detector designed for that refrigerant used.
Danfoss's guidance on R600a in household appliances makes the same point: servicing and repair of R600a fridges is possible for skilled and well trained technicians, but the gas needs very careful handling because it is flammable, and the room must be well ventilated. Danfoss notes that charges in these appliances are kept small, with a maximum of 150 g.
That is why regassing a fridge at home is a bad idea, even with a kit bought online. Beyond the fire risk, a proper repair needs brazing equipment, a vacuum pump and accurate charging scales, and the wrong charge or air left in the system will stop the fridge cooling properly.
Commercial fridges: F gas rules
Many commercial cabinets, counters and cold rooms use HFC refrigerants such as R404A, R134a or R452A, which are F gases. GOV.UK says you must hold your own F gas qualification to install, service and maintain these systems, check them for leaks or recover their gas, even if you work for someone else. A category 1 certificate covers all activities, and a category 2 certificate covers systems with less than 3 kg of F gas, or less than 6 kg if hermetically sealed.
For the business that owns the equipment, the duties go further:
- Repair leaks. When a leak is found, the regulation requires the equipment to be repaired without undue delay. Repeated top-ups without a repair do not meet that duty.
- Leak checks. Systems holding 5 tonnes of CO2 equivalent or more need regular leak checks and records. With R404A, whose GWP is 3,922, that is just 1.3 kg of gas, so most commercial systems qualify. Hermetically sealed systems are exempt below 10 tonnes.
- Keep records. Gas added or recovered, leak check results and the companies that did the work, kept for five years.
Our guide to the F gas regulations for businesses covers the full set of duties.
How much fridge regassing costs
Checkatrade's fridge repair cost guide, last updated in November 2026, gives these ballpark UK figures:
| Job | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Regassing a fridge | About £60 to £200 |
| Repairing a refrigerant leak and regassing | About £180 to £350 |
| Repairing a compressor | About £300 to £480 |
| Call-out fee | About £60 to £150 |
The price depends on the refrigerant, where the leak is and how hard it is to reach. Ask for a quote that covers finding and repairing the leak as well as the gas. On a domestic fridge, compare the total with the price of a similar new fridge before going ahead, as Checkatrade also suggests. On an older domestic unit with corroded pipework, a new fridge is often the better buy. For commercial equipment, our guide to repairing or replacing a commercial fridge helps with that decision.
When to call an engineer
- The compressor runs but the cabinet will not cool, and the seal, condenser and fan look fine.
- The fridge stopped cooling after being moved, defrosted or damaged.
- A commercial system has needed topping up before.
- You can smell gas or see oil around pipework. Ventilate the area, and keep sparks and flames away, especially with a flammable refrigerant.
Our commercial refrigeration repair engineers find and repair leaks on commercial fridges, freezers and cold rooms across London.
Questions people ask about fridge regassing
Do fridges need regassing?
Not as routine maintenance. The refrigerant runs in a sealed system and is not used up. A fridge only needs regassing if it has leaked, and then the leak should be repaired first.
How long does fridge gas last?
For the life of the fridge, as long as the sealed system is not damaged. If a domestic fridge leaks, it usually stops cooling within hours or days, rather than slowly losing gas over years.
How much does it cost to regas a fridge in the UK?
Around £60 to £200 for regassing alone, and around £180 to £350 with a leak repair, according to Checkatrade's cost guide. Prices depend on the refrigerant, the leak and access.
Can I regas a fridge myself?
No. Most household fridges use R600a, which is flammable and needs trained handling, and F gas systems legally require a certified engineer. A proper job also needs brazing, a vacuum pump and charging scales.
How do I know if my fridge needs gas?
The usual sign is a compressor that runs while the cabinet will not get cold. Other faults, such as a failed fan, a bad door seal or a dirty condenser, cause similar symptoms, so have an engineer confirm the cause before paying for gas.
Is it worth regassing an old fridge?
Often not, for a domestic fridge. Once a leak repair and regas approach the price of a new fridge, replacing it is usually better value. Commercial equipment is more often worth repairing, depending on its age and refrigerant.
The short version
A fridge that needs gas has a leak. Rule out the simple faults first, have the leak found and repaired by a trained engineer, and make sure the system is evacuated and recharged with the right gas and the right amount. On commercial systems, F gas law makes that repair a legal duty, not an option.
Last updated: 4 November 2026
Written by
Ali Elm
Ali is the Head of Operations at Be Cool Refrigeration with over a decade of hands-on experience in HVAC and commercial refrigeration. He oversees every installation, repair, and maintenance project, making sure the work meets the highest standards. Ali holds full F-Gas certification and has worked across residential, commercial, and industrial refrigeration systems throughout London and the South East. When he is not on site, he writes these guides to help business owners and homeowners understand their cooling systems better.