- This topic has 15 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 8 years, 10 months ago by
La Jolla Renter.
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June 9, 2015 at 10:03 AM #21572June 9, 2015 at 1:55 PM #787160
FlyerInHi
GuestRecharge every 3 years?!
I have and AC that is 27 years old and has never had to be recharged.
you really need to fix the leak. They do a nitrogen pressure test, I think. Plus you don’t want the refrigerant to escape and pollute the environment.
The old type refrigerant is expensive. You’d save money by getting it fixed right.
I have used Jackson and Blanc.
June 9, 2015 at 1:59 PM #787161spdrun
ParticipantDid they use a dye to test for leaks? The way they do it is to add a dye that fluoresces under UV light and run over the system with a black light after a few days.
June 9, 2015 at 2:15 PM #787163Guest[quote=spdrun]Did they use a dye to test for leaks? The way they do it is to add a dye that fluoresces under UV light and run over the system with a black light after a few days.[/quote]
Yes.
I’ve had problems with AC over the years at different places. I think the best way to once and for all fix a leak is to do a pressure test.
But basically, it’s a sealed system and should not leak.
June 9, 2015 at 2:54 PM #787167
Rich ToscanoKeymasterThis guy installed my AC and he did a great job:
John Hurn
HURN Mechanical
P: 619.312.1924
E: [email protected]June 9, 2015 at 3:04 PM #787168plm
ParticipantI was with the guy when he was doing the testing. It was visual so I assumed he used a dye but I didn’t see a UV light. He basically checked around outside at the AC compressor and also up in the attic where the furnace is. It’s a new home and there is quite the distance between the two so I was worried maybe the leak is in the line between the two.
After about an hour of investigating he just recharged the refrigerant. I know it wasn’t freon but the new stuff was expensive. I think he added a lb of it and that part alone was around $100. Hopefully the new stuff is good for the environment.
Don’t mind maybe searching for a leak later but now isn’t a good time for repair people to enter the house so I was looking for someone to come over and recharge it.
June 9, 2015 at 3:18 PM #787172Participant[quote=Rich Toscano]This guy installed my AC and he did a great job:
John Hurn
HURN Mechanical
P: 619.312.1924
E: [email protected][/quote]Thanks Rich,
They are sending someone over tomorrow morning.
June 10, 2015 at 11:02 AM #787183ParticipantGuy isn’t coming after all since he just called and they need access to the attic as well where the furnace is which isn’t possible right now. The person I spoke to yesterday said they only needed access to the thermostat but the technician told me he needed access to the coils which is at the furnace.
So no AC for me.
June 10, 2015 at 11:31 AM #787184moneymaker
ParticipantNow is the time to find the leak. There are probably different methods. If the system has enough gas in it then they can use the soap test, leak will probably be on the high side. If the leak is on the low side then you can actually suck air into the system when it gets low and then the coil can freeze up or the expansion valve can be blocked with ice. So fix the leak, then put the whole system under vacuum (no loss of vacuum confirms leak is fixed) to make sure there is no water vapor in the lines. Will probably have to change out the filter as well. Get it done right the first time!
June 10, 2015 at 12:20 PM #787185Participant[quote=moneymaker]Now is the time to find the leak. There are probably different methods. If the system has enough gas in it then they can use the soap test, leak will probably be on the high side. If the leak is on the low side then you can actually suck air into the system when it gets low and then the coil can freeze up or the expansion valve can be blocked with ice. So fix the leak, then put the whole system under vacuum (no loss of vacuum confirms leak is fixed) to make sure there is no water vapor in the lines. Will probably have to change out the filter as well. Get it done right the first time![/quote]
Yes, need to fix the leak long term but can’t if no one can get into the attic now so I was hoping to have AC until then. Now, recharging isn’t an option either. Liked my old house better with the furnace in the garage. Don’t know why they place them in the attic instead.
June 10, 2015 at 12:29 PM #787186ParticipantYou can take the EPA test and buy freon yourself if you really can’t let them into the attic.
June 10, 2015 at 12:40 PM #787187GuestI’m very curious why the attic is off limit.
Are you hiding something up there?Anyway, I’ll PM you later the name of a guy who does AC on the side while he’s going to medical school. He has years of experience in the business. Maybe he can take care you.
June 10, 2015 at 1:18 PM #787188Participant[quote=FlyerInHi]I’m very curious why the attic is off limit.
Are you hiding something up there?Anyway, I’ll PM you later the name of a guy who does AC on the side while he’s going to medical school. He has years of experience in the business. Maybe he can take care you.[/quote]
No skeletons up there. Just some personal issues with people being allowed into the house. I appreciate your help.
June 10, 2015 at 1:39 PM #787189Guest[quote=spdrun]You can take the EPA test and buy freon yourself if you really can’t let them into the attic.[/quote]
I think you can buy online depending on the source. I once bought a sealer and freon because I was being cheap and thought I could do it myself. Complete waste of money.
June 10, 2015 at 8:10 PM #787204ParticipantYes auto air conditioning can be a do it yourself thing if you know what you are doing, wouldn’t say the same thing about house AC, must know how to braze copper pipe and have all the right equipment, just the recovery pump alone will set you back a bit.Some types of Freon are no longer available but they do have hybrids that don’t work as well. If the leak takes 3 years then I suspect it is on the low side which means the attic where the evaporator is.
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