12000 btu freon window ac needs charge. Possible?
#1
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Location: yonkers, ny
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12000 btu freon window ac needs charge. Possible?
Im 99% sure My 8 year old 12000btu window a/c needs a charge, but it takes freon, which is obviously not available.
The thermostat works fine, the compressor comes on when cooling is called for and creates negative pressure (there is a charge valve I can hook into) but there is no change in the condenser coil temperature.
For the last year or two it seemed to take longer and longer to cool the space. I believe a refridgerant charge (+sealant) would fix what i believe is a slow leak, but it takes old fashioned freon, and thats obviously not available.
Is there any way to replace it with a legal and enviormentally friendly coolant?
I promise to call a licensed and qualified repair shop who will recover any residual freon, I just want to protect my wallet by being an informed consumer. Is it possible and what would that entail?
The thermostat works fine, the compressor comes on when cooling is called for and creates negative pressure (there is a charge valve I can hook into) but there is no change in the condenser coil temperature.
For the last year or two it seemed to take longer and longer to cool the space. I believe a refridgerant charge (+sealant) would fix what i believe is a slow leak, but it takes old fashioned freon, and thats obviously not available.
Is there any way to replace it with a legal and enviormentally friendly coolant?
I promise to call a licensed and qualified repair shop who will recover any residual freon, I just want to protect my wallet by being an informed consumer. Is it possible and what would that entail?
#2
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As I understand 407c is the best replacement for freon (r22) , but i cant buy less than 5lb (unit takes 27oz r22), ll have to cut out the cmpressor to drain the mineral oil and replace it with a synthetic, and ill never get a good sweat on the flimsy copper they shove into a window unit, and even if i can, Ill have to pull a vacuum before I recharge..
So unless there is something about the number and order of operations im missing .. it seems to me i should just spend the $400+ for a new unit.. if a DIY includes 60 oz min refrigerant at ~$200 plus a trip to plumbing supply, synthetic oil, vacuum pump and a full day of wrestling parts... and a skilled repair would probably cost me more than a new one, i should just bite the bullet and replace it.
What are your thoughts?
So unless there is something about the number and order of operations im missing .. it seems to me i should just spend the $400+ for a new unit.. if a DIY includes 60 oz min refrigerant at ~$200 plus a trip to plumbing supply, synthetic oil, vacuum pump and a full day of wrestling parts... and a skilled repair would probably cost me more than a new one, i should just bite the bullet and replace it.
What are your thoughts?
#3
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I have tried a couple times having mobile (window, portable...) AC recharged. I've never had one last more than a year after being recharged. After all, refilling is only fixing the symptom. It doesn't solve the original problem of why the refrigerant leaked out in the first place.
#4
I work on the occasional unit from a friend or family member. The typical problem is a leaking evaporator coil. It's aluminum and it corrodes. There is no way to effectively fix it without causing more damage. I've tried a few times but usually the leak just gets bigger.
#5
An 8 year old AC will be using R410A not R22 as R22 was banned in new devices starting 2010. Anyway it is usually not possible and/or cost effective to try and fix a window AC. Sorry to say but time to go get another one