freon

[Stormin Mormon]

The EPA does issue certificates, but not licenses.

I think that asking your friends and neighbors for reccomendations is also a good idea.

Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus

.

To find a good A/C technician the simplest thing you can do is to make sure he is licensed by both the state and the EPA. Call him/her first and get all his information to check on him before you make an appointment with him. I am constantly surprised as to how few people do this very simple thing. You can also try finding a very small company that is a sole proprietor where the person holding the license is the same person coming to do the work instead of him sending a fast talking moron. You can also talk to your neighbors and friends and ask them for a recommendation. Instead of trying to find a reasonably priced technician try finding one that personally guarantees his/her work; it will be cheaper in the long run. True: if the system is full of butane there is no air and the butane cannot explode. Then all you have to worry about is air getting into the system and turning it into a pipe bomb.

[gregz]

When I was very young, I remember neighbor coming over to put gas in fridge. This was at my grandparents house. Grandmother took me upstairs. Why didn't we go outside. It was a horrible smell. My dad had this old fridge in garage. It had that neat sound when it started up. One day we threw it in the trash on trash day. The workers were putting it in the truck, when suddenly everybody backed off when it started leaking. My dad always said chlorine gas, but I don't guess that's what it was.

Greg

[Ron]

In the late 80s I was renting a house that had this kind of AC system.

[Deodiaus]

[trader4]

Apparently you and the previous poster don't realize there is a big difference between using ammonia or natural gas in a system DESIGNED for it and putting it into your home AC system which was not. Your question is about putting everything from auto R134 to ammonia into your present home AC. And apparently ammonia isn't practical for such systems today compared to the other refrigerants or HVAC manufacturers would be using it.

So, again, either you're an idiot or a troll.

[Deodiaus]

What was the recommended refrigerant for the York heat pump? R22? What do they use now, or do they still use R22 for those models?

[clare]

And it's not a guarantee that the "licensed" and "certified" guy is going to be any more honest or ethical than a good handiman. No guarantee he will be more knowlegeable about your system either.

Good techs live on their reputation - and that is only as good as the last job - so go for recommendations. A good COMPANY will stand behind repairs done by their techs - while you don't know what to expect if dealing with "just a tech" - but if he's really GOOD, that is not an issue.

[clare]

Sounds like an old ammonia fridge. The old Servel absorption fridges were ammonia, for sure.

[clare]

[Molly Brown]

No it isn=92t a guarantee but if the job he=92s doing means more to him/ her than just a way to make a buck he=92s going to go to the trouble and expense of getting a license and a certificate which he can loose if he/she doesn=92t keep his nose clean. The license and certificate only proves that he is probably serious about his work and knowledge. As far as companies go my personal experience is that the bigger they are the stupider they get. Name one big company and I=92ll name a whole lot of dumb things it has done.

[Ron]

Ummmmm, yes I do. Was just making a comment that ammonia is used in natural gas systems.

[Ron]

Well, I'd never heard of such a thing back then, and haven't seen one since. It also didn't cool very well.

[gregz]

The garage fridge, my dad got used in the 50's. It was old then. Had separate motor/ compressor. Had centrifugal starting. Then it sat making a shaking sound, belt driven. Side by side unit. I think it was tossed when I bought them a chest freezer around 1970 . I cant envision that old guy ever being in a kitchen.

I have a gas connection near my electric fridge in my trailer. They also have a vent up in back of the opening. Just got trailer, but the medium sized electric fridge fits well.

Greg

[gfretwell]

I have an absorbtion fridge in my garage. I got it from a guy who used to run a snack bar boat and got out of the business. It runs on propane or 120VAC

I keep it for hurricanes when the power might be out.

[clare]

Note I said a GOOD company - not a BIG one.

[clare]

Where electricity is not available, expensive, or unreliable propane, butane, and parafin powered absorption refrigerators are still in everyday use, and they work very well. (if properly set up)

[Molly Brown]

The more technicians a company has on payroll the bigger and cumbersome and hard to quality control it is.

[Stormin Mormon]

You'd have to check the name plate. Probably R-22 back then. Now, more likely R-410a.

Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus

.

What was the recommended refrigerant for the York heat pump? R22? What do they use now, or do they still use R22 for those models?

[clare]

A company where the boss still has his hand firmly in the operation of the company, with up to half a dozen good employees is the "sweet spot" in my opinion.

[trader4]

As usual, we have one idiot chiming in with another. WTF does the fact that ammonia was once a long time ago in refrigerators have to do with the idiot's question about putting R134 or ammonia or God know's what else into his present home AC system?