So, after my last HVAC thread, a diagnosis of a bad condensate pump was made and it fixed the problem. The guy also said it looked like there was a leak because the R22 was very low. Since it was low, he recommended rather than just refilling it, that I get a new unit installed since R22 is harder to get and the prices/parts for those units has increased.

Should I try to get a second opinion?

6/3/2016 4:21:39 PM

Replace

6/3/2016 4:24:33 PM

you can get a solid replacement R2 unit down at the sand crawler for cheap

6/3/2016 4:27:25 PM

R22 is not hard to get. HVAC companies don't like to solder up leaks. They would prefer to sell you a new unit.

How old is the unit?

6/3/2016 4:42:58 PM

9-10 years

6/3/2016 4:58:14 PM

Call Tino - 919-370-2050. Super cheap freon refill

6/3/2016 5:13:34 PM

Get the unit recharged. Since it's R-22, it's going to be expensive. They're phasing out R-22 and the price is going up accordingly. Hunting leaks is a real pain if they're subtle. If the pressure wasn't so low where you have a cooling problem, you probably have a leak that's small - as in so small it will take years to leak out. Leaks that small are also practically undetectable.

The problem with refrigerant leaks is that there are only a few places where they're not a complete hassle to fix. For instance, if the leak is on one of the small joints in the A-coil, fucking forget about it. You'd need someone who can braze very well and can do detailed work. It's like trying to fix a printed circuit board by hand. It can be done, but there's a reason they're built by machines.

Worse case scenario, you recharge your unit and the pressure drops too low in a matter of days and the leak is in a place that's not fixable. You're out the cost of a recharge and a replacement.

Best case scenario, you recharge the unit and it works for many more years.

6/3/2016 6:01:16 PM

your house is ruined. burn it down and start over.

6/3/2016 6:02:33 PM

My thoughts (but i have gauges)

Fill it... check pressures a week later... if insignificant drop.... fuck it... if significant ↓

If the unit has copper coils it's possible to repair if not i wouldn't worry.

R22 coils are lower pressure than 410 is and can be repaired easier than that

If you get a leak in a 410 Condensing unit throw it away... a repair MIGHT last 6 months.

IMHO if you get a leak in an aluminum Condensing unit... Nearly impossible to patch without ruining.
Throw it away

6/3/2016 6:31:31 PM

Just open the windows

6/3/2016 6:33:18 PM

^ not a third world country

6/3/2016 7:01:51 PM

I have (well, HVAC tech friends of mine have) successfully located and repaired two leaks on my copper condensing coils. One on each of two split units. They're 410a systems.

[Edited on June 3, 2016 at 10:20 PM. Reason : I would try to locate the leak and repair. If not, 9 or 10 yrs isn't bad. Replace.]

6/3/2016 10:19:46 PM

was i supposed to put 3 in 1 oil on the condenser motor shaft? that and wd-40 unseized that bitch

[Edited on June 13, 2016 at 9:15 PM. Reason : add another note]

6/13/2016 9:03:32 PM

What is the easiest way to break a compressor so that the unit needs to be changed? asking for a friend

6/30/2020 3:29:41 AM

pee on it

6/30/2020 9:33:55 AM

^^ Over voltage/current. Try not to start a fire.

6/30/2020 12:07:40 PM

Quote :

"If not, 9 or 10 yrs isn't bad. Replace."

Woof, mine's double in age and still running OK. Does need a new capacitor though.

6/30/2020 12:15:59 PM

^^how would someone do that? I was thinking pinhole leak and then running AC and burning up compressor, or 3 pound hammer(easiest...just take top off and bang it a few times)

6/30/2020 2:48:04 PM

just call your landlord every day and tell him the AC isn't working. he'll probably replace it eventually if he thinks it isn't working consistently if it's old.

6/30/2020 3:10:30 PM

Have a neighborhood kid throw a dart at it

6/30/2020 6:19:24 PM

I refilled mine early last summer and it lasted for about 3 months. Got it refilled again to try and make it through the summer and it lasted a day so wasted about $350 or $400. Turns out the Lenox model the builders put in my neighborhood are complete garbage and the compressor cracked just after 5 year warranty ended.

6/30/2020 9:14:32 PM

The 5 year warranty is a clue. Don't touch any HVAC system with less than a 10 year warranty.

Another compressor killing idea:
Close off ALL the registers and returns. If there isn't enough heat exchange across the coil, liquid will back up in the refrigeration lines. When it backs up to the compressor... well, liquid isn't compressible and the valves will blow out.

7/1/2020 1:37:38 PM

HVAC repair, HVAC replace!

7/1/2020 2:04:14 PM

Like I really needed the Safelite jingle in my head.

7/1/2020 2:14:35 PM

I thought all Lenox have 10 year warranty. Doesn't really matter anyway, it's the labor cost that kills you.

7/1/2020 3:15:53 PM

The warranty should cover labor. Mine does. Fun fact, I got paid via a warranty check to replace the gas valve on my own system.

7/1/2020 8:00:05 PM

Friend ended up wussing out on distruction of property and texted the maintenance dude. Apparently it was 70psi instead of 75

7/9/2020 12:58:50 AM