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Posted by Noon-Air on July 16, 2006, 7:27 pm
see replys in-line and below
> We have a HVAC unit for a townhouse. It is 10 years old. We live in
> Virginia. The unit has been slowly leaking freon over the past 2
> years,
> such that we have had to fill up the freon every spring in order for it
Why didn't you get it repaired the *first* time??
> to cool properly. This spring, when we had the freon filled, we asked
> the guy to add dye so we could find out where the leak was. Today he
> checked the unit, and said the leak was mostly in the coils of the
> inside unit, and that we would have to replace both the inside unit and
> the
> outside unit (at a cost of $5500) in order to fix the problem.
Maybe, maybe not
> I asked if we could repair the coils and he said you can't repair
> coils. I asked if we could replace the coils and he said he can't buy
> replacement coils because the efficiency standards have changed. I
> asked if
> we could replace just the inside unit (and not the outside unit because
Generally the evap (inside) coils are not repairable. Depending on the
make/model, OEM replacement coils may still be available, but they are not
free.
> the outside unit works fine) but he said this wasn't possible because
> then the two units wouldn't be compatible. I asked if we could just
> keep adding freon each year, and he says this is illegal, as it
> violates
> EPA rules about letting ozone-depleting freon into the atmosphere. He
> swears the only solution is complete replacement of the whole system.
The new equipment is not generally compatable with the old... the rules
changed in January. Let me throw another wrench in the works.... R-22 (the
old refrigerent) is being phased out and in only 3 1/2 years, no more
equipment that requires R-22 will be manufactured.
http://www.epa.gov/ozone/title6/phaseout/hcfc.html
As far as the system being gassed up each year, consider that with the
diminishing supply of R-22, you are going to be paying dearly for the
privelage....and its not illegal unless the system holds more than 50 pounds
of refrigerant and it loses 30% of its charge in 12 months. FWIW, *IF* you
decide to replace the entire system, I would highly recommend a system that
takes R-410a refrigerant.
> Does this sound right to you? Could he be trying to take us for a
> ride? Should I get a second opinion?
It never hurts to have a second opinion.
> If we do have to replace the unit, is $5500 the right price range for
> such a job, or should I shop around on that? How do we find the best
> deal for a new one?
$5500?? I dunno... what type system?? gas heat?? heat pump?? what
efficiency??? what size?? what refrigerant?? any ductwork?? new lineset??
any electrical updates?? sheet metal?? .........That would be like saying "I
can get a new car for $20,000....is that the right price range, or should I
shop around? Without a whole lot more information, nobody can even venture a
guess.
> Thank you so much!
>
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