I just had AC service done last week and the technician said that there were no freon in the system at all. As far as I know frean doesn't just disapper and since it worked fine last summer there must be a leak. So he added 8lb and the system works fine but I noticed some kind of white sludge on a plastic cover of my basement window next to the copper freon pipe. Here is a pictures of what it looks like:
A 'sniffer' detector should be able to pick up the leak quite easily. Best done on a day with no wind. Call your servicing company and ask them to do the leak check for you. IMO, they should have done it during the system recharge. Good luck.
Freon will evaporate almost as soon as it hits the air. It will not leave anything behind. The unit will have oil in it and you may find some oil around where it leaks out.
If he added 8 pounds, the system must be empty or almost empty. He should have checked for leaks to find out where the freon leaked out. If really empty, he should have put a vacuum pump on it and sucked all the air and any moistuer out of the system before it was refilled.
YOu are right, the system is a closed system and the freon should stay in it unless there is a leak. Anytime freon is added, it means a leak somewhere as it does not get used up.
"jthread" wrote in news:fYVbk.192363$SV4.155483 @bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net:
Just for the R22 itself? Not including service call, check this & that? Appreciate the response but question it because I find it odd they would charge an oddball abmont of $52.54/lb.
4.5lbs R22 1st lb 75.42 each lb after that 46.03: $236.45 Total: $301.45
Desc. of work: Found unit low on R22 ref charged unit w/4.5 lbs. Checked for leak outside and found no leak. Leak most likely in evap coil.
Recommendation: Get ready to replace system.
Bill finished.
The tech told me it wasn't worth spending a lot of time on it as it's just money down the drain. He said R22 has gone through the roof and I should have the system replaced when the pressure drops again. He quoted me anywhere around 5k to 10k for a new system. So far I have about 1/2 of the money saved up for a new system. The one I have now is an Amana 042. He said it was a cheap system.
I figured the repair and the quote was too expensive and I wouldn't use that particular company to replace unit. I wasn't too impressed with Christian Bros. despite the good reviews they have from other customers.
"jthread" wrote in news:h2Xbk.192616$ snipped-for-privacy@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net:
Well, we often feel repairs & quotes are too expensive in many arenas..
but...
WTF? Like they pay more for the 1st lb when they buy it?! All adds get hit with the first lb premium. 75*30=$2,250. Can you imagine? They can get up to that much out of a 30lb can. I'd say they are a ripoff.
Thing is, that HVAC companies have a lot of expenses that don't get itemized in the bill. Gasoline, insurance, wages, etc. It's not like you walk into the store and ask the butcher for a pound of R-22 and slice it thin. We come to you, in a gasoline drinking van full of heavy tools.
I'd think the guy shoulda put a vacuum pump out, and remove the air. And then ought have checked for leaks. To lose the entire charge over the winter, there's gotta be a leak.
Also, eight pounds? Must be a big system. Most central AC near me use five to six pounds.
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