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Posted by Art on June 24, 2008, 10:37 pm
>
>>> Art wrote:
>>>> Just had a tech check out one of my 3 HVAC systems. When the house
>>>> was built the contractor switched outside units between the upstairs
>>>> and basement so upstairs was too hot. I had them switch out the
>>>> obviously wrong sized outside units. I asked them if anything
>>>> inside had to be switched out and they swore everything was ok
>>>> inside.
>>>>
>>>> Upstairs never cooled well but we were never used upstairs much
>>>> until now.
>>>> So I had someone come out today and told him the story. He says the
>>>> metering unit orifice (piston) is too small upstairs and needs to be
>>>> replaced with bigger one at a cost of $193 for the part and $533. I
>>>> just called another guy to come in for a second opinion but I was
>>>> wondering if the estimate sounds reasonable if indeed this is the
>>>> problem.
>>>> Thanks in advance for assistance.
>>>
>>> I have a few questions:
>>> 1. What is the size (Tonnage) of the upstairs and basement condensing
>>> units?
>>> 2. What is the size (Tonnage) of the upstairs and basement evaporator
>>> coils?
>>> 3. Was the bid to replace the piston only or to replace the total
>>> metering device?
>>>
>>> --
>>> Moe Jones
>>> http://www.MoeJones.info
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>> I got some answers. Both inside units are idenditcal 2 ton units.
>> Basement outside unit is 1.5 tons. Upstairs outside unit is 2 tons.
>> According to the tech that was here today, it was common when my house
>> was built 10 years ago to use an oversized inside unit to squeeze more
>> efficiency out of the system on the small tonage outside unit.
>>
>> He washed outside coils and checked freon on all 3 systems. Basement
>> was slightly low. Upstairs was way low, taking about 3 pounds of
>> freon. None of these systems have been checked for8 years because the
>> guy I had come in to check them when the house was 2 years old did
>> nothing so I pretty much gave up on HVAC contractors. Plus we hadn't
>> been using the upstairs much until this summer.
>>
>> The technician today's philosophy is (and I am sure many will
>> disagree) is the first time he adds freon to a system that hasn't been
>> serviced for such a long time, he will not try chasing down the leak
>> because he probably won't be able to find it unless it just started
>> leaking. He says if it warms up again upstairs, he will chase down
>> the leak but he suspects it is the inside coil and he says carrier
>> charges so much for that inside coil that I might be better off
>> replacing the outside unit too.
>>
>> Right now things are plenty cool in the house.
>>
>>
>
>
>> Basement was slightly low.
>
> Not an HVAC person but when they come around I stick with em like glue
> (under a house with the bugs or in the 140 degree attic) to learn what I
> can. They don't mind since they realize I'm not questioning the validity
> of their work.
>
> On one the freon was slightly low as you say. Maybe a couple of lbs. He
> had me hold ny hand on the pipe and told me to watch the gauge as he
> pumped it in and to watch what happens as the last lb goes in. As that
> last lb was going in, the pipe suddenly got really cold as it should. He
> said the last lb can make all the difference in the world because that's
> when the "flash point" was reached.
>
> Just an FYI. Knowledgable HVAC folks feel free to give thumbs up/down on
> this info or expand on it.
The basement unit was very slightly low, I am sure less than a pound. The
upstairs unit took over 3 pounds. I think he was concerned it was just
releaking out and he wants to see what happens next after a couple of days
of use. The middle floor had perfect freon level.
For working all 3 units he just charged $187.... a bargain in my opinion on
a 92 degree day.
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