The Top 9 Myths About HVAC Sealants and System Additives: a Simple Guide for Professionals
Don't let outdated beliefs and bad products hold you back. This guide will arm you with the truth you need to build trust and offer a proven, professional service.
Every experienced contractor has heard the warnings: injecting anything into a system is a risk. You’ve seen the damage caused by bad products and know that protecting your reputation is paramount. This professional skepticism isn’t just justified—it’s a mark of experience and expertise.
But the industry has weeded out the majority of the rushed “me too” products, the tried and true sealants and performance products remain to help improve efficiency, extend equipment life, and fix common issues with systems. With that said, leak sealants are still somewhat of a coin flip due to a variety of unknowable factors, but combination products can help locate leaks, reduce and remove system acid/moisture, and improve efficiency.
Myth #1: Refrigerant additives are Unproven and Won’t Improve System Performance
The Origin: This skepticism is a direct result of earlier, inferior products that saturated the market with unsubstantiated claims. The industry has seen these products fail to provide a lasting or noticeable effect, which cemented the reputation of system additives as unreliable.
The Truth: Today’s professional-grade HVAC injects from Vapco are different. They are advanced chemical solutions, not just quick fixes. Designed to enhance a system’s core function, they are backed by science and rigorous testing. The improved AC performance and system efficiency are not an unprovable claim; they are a demonstrable outcome that you can show your customers with a simple amp meter. They can also help quiet noisy compressors by returning oil to it and lubricating moving parts., an outcome that can be heard within just minutes of entering a system.
Myth #2: Sealants and Additives Will Clog the System
The Origin: This fear is directly linked to rushed, inferior quality leak sealants. These products were notorious for clogging up TXVs, screens, and capillary tubes, also leading to costly compressor failures, but it was formula issues, from companies rushing to capitalize on the wave of success from certain legacy brands.
The Truth: Vapco’s performance and maintenance formulas have been around for decades and proven with millions of systems serviced without issue. They are designed to atomize seamlessly into the system’s refrigerant, improving performance without adding solid particles or large quantities that can bog down systems with sheer volume of material added. When applied correctly, Vapco Xpress Injects are completely safe for the system’s integrity.
Myth #3: They’re Only for Leaky Systems
The Origin: The most well-known type of inject on the market is a leak sealant, so many contractors assume all injects serve the same purpose.
The Truth: Performance injects and leak sealants are completely different HVAC tools. Vapco offers several, each with a specific purpose and some that cover multiple bases. A performance inject is used to boost a fundamentally sound system’s AC performance by improving heat transfer and lubrication. It is a preventative maintenance tool, not a reactive repair for a known leak. There is also a growing wave of contractors that add sealants and acid scavengers to newly installed systems to make sure they’re offering all options to their customers. We also have acid scavengers and moisture removers to ensure system longevity and prevent compressor burnout.
Check out our collection here.
Myth #4: They’ll Void a System’s Warranty
The Origin: Many manufacturers’ warranties contain blanket language against the use of aftermarket additives. This is a very real and valid concern for contractors.
The Truth: It is always a best practice to check the manufacturer’s warranty. However, for the majority of the HVAC systems you service, especially older or out-of-warranty units, this is no longer a concern. For these systems, a Vapco performance inject can be a cost-effective way to extend the life and system efficiency of the unit, saving the homeowner from a premature and expensive replacement. Money is harder to come by these days and repair vs replace is becoming a conversation worth having. If all you push is replace replace replace, some homeowners will find someone willing to offer other options.
Myth #5: Injecting Anything is a Substitute for a Proper Diagnosis
The Origin: This is the biggest misconception of all. Lazy or unskilled technicians have used refrigerant additives as a shortcut to avoid a proper system diagnosis.
The Truth: A Vapco Xpress Injects are a tool to be used after a thorough diagnosis. This is one of our key HVAC contractor tips. You, the professional, are responsible for identifying the root cause of a problem. An Xpress Inject is the ideal solution for a system that is fundamentally sound but could benefit from a little TLC. It’s a professional tool for a professional job—not an excuse to skip the fundamentals of quality service. Time is money, and leaks can be a time consuming venture to fix, sometimes they’re in places that can’t be easily reached to repair correctly. A home or business owner might not be willing to replace a system immediately and want to explore other options, a Vapco Xpress Seal with dye is the perfect, fast acting tool to fix/find a leak until the system can be replaced.
Myth #6: They’re Not Measurable, So I Can’t Prove the Value
The Origin: The subjective nature of an inject’s benefit makes many professionals hesitant to use them without hard data.
The Truth: With a simple amp meter, you can measure the difference. By showing a customer a tangible drop in amperage—often 10% or more—you have objective proof of improved AC performance and system efficiency. This turns a subjective feeling into a quantifiable result you can use to justify the service and build customer trust. Often times a thermometer across the evaporator can also be an effective tool to show system improvement. In our testing we have seen up to a 2.5 degree temperature drop after Overhaul or System Enhance have been added to systems.
Myth #7: They’re Just for Residential Systems
The Origin: The majority of inject marketing has historically targeted residential contractors, leading to the assumption that they are not suitable for larger or much smaller applications, such as appliances, coolers, commercial and industrial applications.
The Truth: Vapco’s HVAC products are designed for a wide range of systems. Commercial applications can often see even greater returns on a performance inject, as the efficiency gains are multiplied across a larger system. They are a powerful tool in your arsenal for a variety of jobs. We offer 3/4 ton and smaller fractional sizes all the way up to XXL industrial sizes, 60-125 tons. We have the right size Xpress Injects for whatever system you’re working on. Not only do we have all the system sizes covered, but Vapco’s Xpress Injects are compatible with all refrigerant types (except ammonia).
Myth #8: The Cost Isn’t Justifiable for the Customer
The Origin: Some contractors believe homeowners will see the cost of an inject as an unnecessary expense.
The Truth: When you frame Vapco Overhaul or System Enhance as an investment in efficiency and longevity, the cost becomes a no-brainer. Showing a customer how a one-time expense can lead to lower energy bills and increased system protection can be a powerful value proposition that many will readily accept.
Myth #9: They Are Too Difficult to Apply
The Origin: The process of adding anything to a refrigerant loop can seem intimidating and requires a professional touch.
The Truth: While some manufacturers offer complicated injection tools, aerosol cans, bottles that need to be opened and poured into specialized systems…Vapco’s simple approach with our Xpress Inject gun or Xpress Hose, the process is quick, clean, and simple. You can also always use gauges that you carry with you everyday. The job is easy enough to do, but it’s a job that requires your professional expertise, which is why it’s a value-added service you can confidently and rightly charge for.