a c repair
#1
a c repair
Guys,
Ihave a question. My ac quit cooling. Air would blow but the condenser would not come one. I called a company to service it and the guy said after checking it out that there was a refrigerant leak. He put in 3 pounds for the moment until he could return today for a recommended "leak search." The freon and the service call cost me $162 but the leak search is costing me $263. My unit is a carrier that is about 17 yrs. old. The leak search is just to find the problem meaning that repairing the problemwil cost $$$. My question is: am I patching a sinking ship? Are these costs within industry standards? Does a leak mean that refridgerent is huffed by my family when the air is on as he suggested?
Thanks,
Tmoe
Ihave a question. My ac quit cooling. Air would blow but the condenser would not come one. I called a company to service it and the guy said after checking it out that there was a refrigerant leak. He put in 3 pounds for the moment until he could return today for a recommended "leak search." The freon and the service call cost me $162 but the leak search is costing me $263. My unit is a carrier that is about 17 yrs. old. The leak search is just to find the problem meaning that repairing the problemwil cost $$$. My question is: am I patching a sinking ship? Are these costs within industry standards? Does a leak mean that refridgerent is huffed by my family when the air is on as he suggested?
Thanks,
Tmoe
#2
good questions
first, pricing is different all over. $162 for a sevice call, diagnosis and repair (even if temporary) sounds very fair to me. $263 for a leak check sounds kind of high unless they are going to isolate the evap from the lineset and line set from the consenser, then pressure test. they might be planning on using a high tech leak detection device (not hand held) and opening the duct to gain access to the evap coil from all sides. then the cost may be justified. in my experience, the leak is probably in the evap coil, and if so, yes, the refrigerant is leaking into your home. you are entirely correct on your guess you may be patching a sinking ship, after all 17 yrs is an outstanding life for a system, and it's dependibility and efficiency have long passed. my 2 cents....bite the bullet, get a new system, after shopping around and asking questions, you will be much better off.
#3
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Mountain Williams Missouri
Posts: 17,505
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cost
Cant say cost where you are. But at 17 years old Id say dont spend the $$$$ on it . Get a new coil and outdoor unit. It will fix the leak and also let you get a higher SEER unit now. If you have a long time there that the AC runs you could look at a heat recovery unit on the new AC and get free hot water and kick up the SEER some also. Yes could be they huffed in the freon. But like he put 3lb in over how many years?????? ED
#4
17 years old, throw it out. You have to look at it breaking down again this year and how high are your energy costs.
Many times a new unit will save more than 30 -40% on your bills and keep you more comfortable.
Just make sure the company you use doe sit right, by that I mean don't use the one who is charging you all this for freaon and leak checks if they haven't even given you the option to replace.
You will be very surprised to see how well a new unit will work as yours has not been good for the last 5 or 6 years, Just costing you money and not keeping you comfortable.
Many times a new unit will save more than 30 -40% on your bills and keep you more comfortable.
Just make sure the company you use doe sit right, by that I mean don't use the one who is charging you all this for freaon and leak checks if they haven't even given you the option to replace.
You will be very surprised to see how well a new unit will work as yours has not been good for the last 5 or 6 years, Just costing you money and not keeping you comfortable.
Last edited by Thomas W.; 06-09-03 at 02:35 PM.