More about our Mission
Now multiply that by every cold room, cabinet, machine room, supermarket, and industrial facility across America, and the numbers are staggering.
- Increased risk of equipment failure, product spoilage, and non-compliance fines.
- Multiple ineffective truck rolls searching for leaks without any information, leading to hours or days of inefficient blind searches.
Smart Infrared DetectionWith sensitivity down to 1 ppm, AKO Sentinel™ meets and exceeds EPA compliance standards.
With sensitivity down to 1 ppm, AKO Sentinel™ meets and exceeds EPA compliance standards.
Our infrared refrigerant leak detectors operate across temperatures as low as -86°F and with IP65 protection, ensuring equipment reliability and superior performance, and ultra-sensitive capacity, even in the harshest environments.
Moreover, all our leak detectors are now UL-listed, meeting one of the most highly valued quality and safety standards in the U.S. market: a key assurance for operators and facility owners seeking certified, reliable technology.
Calibration as a ServiceYou get lab-grade accuracy, zero false alarms, and full compliance, without lifting a finger.
You get lab-grade accuracy, zero false alarms, and full compliance, without lifting a finger.
Less than 1% of leak detectors in the market are properly calibrated. AKOSentinel™ changes that with 100% sensor calibration, either through on-site service or sensor replacement.
UL-Listed SolutionAKO product isn’t just innovative; it’s certified to perform safely and reliably, day after day.
In the U.S. HVAC/R market, UL Listing is more than a certification; it’s a statement of safety, reliability, and compliance. All AKOSentinel devices are UL-listed to meet the rigorous electrical and performance standards required for a durable installation in commercial and industrial environments. This ensures that every product has undergone independent testing for fire safety, electrical integrity, and operational consistency under real-world conditions.
UL Listing simplifies project approval, accelerates deployment, and guarantees adherence to national safety codes such as EPA Section 608 requirements.
Beyond certification, UL Listing reflects AKO’s long-term commitment to quality and trust.
Patent for Machine Learning-Powered Refrigerant Leak DetectionDetect refrigerant leaks earlier, reduce false alarms, and cut operational costs while maintaining full compliance with U.S. environmental regulations.
Our solution is patented in Europe, where it has been protecting installations and reducing emissions for more than four years. That expertise (earned in the toughest regulatory environments of the European cold chain) is now being placed at the service of the American market, where we’re helping operators turn compliance into performance, and sustainability into profit.
This patent granted to AKO marks a decisive step forward for the HVAC/R industry. This innovation transforms traditional refrigerant leak detection into a predictive, data-driven science. By integrating machine learning algorithms into its refrigerant leak detection platform, AKO converts raw leak detector signals into actionable intelligence.
Unlike conventional leak detectors that rely solely on ppm thresholds, the patented system analyzes system behavior using predictive models to determine not just if a refrigerant leak exists, but how severe, when, and where it is occurring. It bridges the gap between compliance and operational excellence, supporting the growing demand for smarter, more reliable refrigerant monitoring across the U.S. market.
With this milestone, AKO strengthens its leadership as a technology partner for the future of industrial refrigeration, food retail, and cold-chain efficiency.
24/7 Connectivity with NB-IoTOur gas detectors have been specifically designed to transmit secure, encrypted data to AKONET.Cloud, our IoT platform.
Our gas detectors have been specifically designed to transmit secure, encrypted data to AKONET.Cloud, our IoT platform.
This network is not dependent on local Wi-Fi or gateways, so it works seamlessly in distributed retail environments, without any need for the property’s own network or opening any ports, which delivers maximum security.
Turning Data into ActionThrough continuous monitoring, real-time alarms, and actionable insights...
Through continuous monitoring, real-time alarms, and actionable insights...
AKONET.Cloud helps operators answer four critical questions:
→ When is the refrigerant leak happening?
→ Where is the leak located?
→ How much refrigerant is being lost?
→ What is the environmental and financial impact?
Up to 95% refrigerant leak reduction
within the first year of deployment.
40% reduction in energy consumption
due to improved system performance.
90% fewer incidents and product losses
thanks to early detection.
80% shorter repair times
and faster leak localization.
12-month payback
in most food retail facilities.
739 pounds of gas saved per year
$26,800 annual savings
3.5 million miles worth of CO₂ emissions avoided
0% false alarms & 80% reduction in search time
The AIM Act and EPA Section 608 are reshaping the HVACR industry
bringing new refrigeration safety codes. By 2026, all systems with over 1,500 pounds of refrigerant will be required to have automatic leak detection (ALD) installed and actively monitored, and be able to detect refrigerant leaks from at least 10ppm.
AKOSentinel™ is already compliant with those
90% reduction in refrigerant leaks
40% reduction in energy consumption
100% reduction in food waste from spoilage
Maximum safety for your employees & clients
Peace of mind regarding regulations compliance
Brand reputation & ESG goals achievement
- More than 3,000 companies trust our solutions worldwide
- Presence in 70+ countries
- A team of 100 engineers and a 12% annual R&D investment
- 40 years of experience
AKO USA operates in strategic collaboration with Carbon Connector
a U.S.-based leader in refrigerant management and compliance intelligence.
Together, we merge European innovation with American field expertise, building a bridge between two continents to create the most advanced, actionable, rugged, and reliable leak detection ecosystem in the market.
We’ve already helped supermarkets, food service chains, transport companies, and hospitals reduce their emissions and operating costs.
Now, with AKO USA, we’re bringing that expertise to the American market, backed by local partnerships, compliance insight, and on-the-ground support.
From Leak Detection to Operational Intelligence
In the next evolution of refrigeration management, success won’t be measured by how many leak detectors you install, but by how effectively you enable action.
As our partner, Ted Atwood says:
“We don’t just alert: we interpret. We don’t just detect: we diagnose. We don’t just reduce truck rolls: we make every one of them count.”
AKOSentinel is the foundation of a smarter, more connected cold chain—where data, engineering, and sustainability work together to make every operation cleaner, safer, and more profitable.
Why are your refrigerant leak detectors the best?
Our refrigerant leak detectors use gold-plated infrared sensors that detect even low levels of refrigerant leaks at 1 ppm, equivalent to 0.1 oz of gas.
They’re designed for accuracy, avoiding false alarms from humidity or chemical interference. The leak detectors continuously monitor gas concentration, and thanks to the high accuracy of the sensor, the system can show actionable insights to show the quantity of pounds being leaked, when, and where.
What is Refrigerant Leak Detection, and why is it important?
Refrigerant leak detection means identifying the gas concentration in the air.
Early refrigerant leak detection protects worker health, ensures regulatory compliance (EPA 608, NY 494), and prevents major refrigerant leaks that damage the environment by helping to reduce the leaks up to 95%.
How sensitive is AKOSentinel™?
Each gas detector detects refrigerant leaks from 1 ppm, which is the most sensitive leak detector available today, with an accuracy of 95%.
This, together with his high selectivity to filter any other gases, chemicals, or moisture, ensures a top-notch reliability on the information supplied.
What is the ROI for retailers?
Usually AKO Automatic Leak Detection solution pays for itself in less than two years, thanks to energy savings and reduced gas loss, and reduction of truck-rolls.
Does AKOSentinel™ provide automatic analytics?
Yes, our solution is equipped with automated leak detection reports, cost tracking, and performance optimization dashboards are all included.
Thanks to its powerful reporting, the insights will help to focus on what’s really important, understand which services and installations are the most problematic, check the trends and evolution of leaks in the whole chain…
How long has AKO been around?
AKO was founded in 1978 in Barcelona, Spain.
Our mission for more than 45 years has been to deliver sustainable, efficient, secure, and connected solutions for the refrigeration sector, and promote care for the planet and the people who live on it.
How does AKOSentinel™ detect refrigerant leaks faster than traditional methods?
AKO leak detectors feature NDIR sensor technology, capable of identifying refrigerant leaks instantly, even sudden changes, before pressure loss causes further refrigerant leaks or energy waste, or large and expensive gas recharges, or even product loss.
AKO leak detectors are capable of detecting leaks from 0.1 oz.
Can AKOSentinel™ reduce energy costs?
Absolutely. A 15 % refrigerant leak can increase energy use by 10 %, and this inefficiency grows exponentially together with the leak.
Our refrigerant leak detectors help systems maintain target temperature and energy consumption levels efficiently.
How does early leak detection ensure continuity?
By preventing refrigerant leaks, you safeguard product storage, prevent downtime, and comply with HCFC phase-down regulations, which are reducing the available quantity of these gases in the market, and, in consequence, increasing their price.
What industries benefit from AKOSentinel™?
Our solution is suitable for food retail, food service, cold storage, pharma, healthcare, logistics, and any facility relying on commercial or industrial refrigeration.
Can it monitor multiple sites?
Yes. Cloud-based leak detectors are scalable, visual, and easy to deploy across small or large networks.
The system allows to have top to bottom information and categorizes sites per performance, assigns roles and permissions from the site or even by service.
What's your refund policy like?
All our solutions have a 3-year warranty.
We engineer and manufacture both hardware and software components, so we can deliver to our clients the maximum reliability and service.
