"DesignGuy" wrote in message
news:dlb1g.689978$084.579661@attbi_s22...
Over the last 2 or 3 summers I've had to have the HVAC tech come out once
the temp starts to climb, to re-charge the upstairs a/c with Freon (Trane
XE1000, 10 yr old unit). Obviously a leak, but cheaper to re-charge than
to
fix. Since last summer the Freon charge didn't last the season, I've bit
the
bullet and decided to repair the leak.
Tech came out and said the evaporator coil was corroded and was causing
the
leak. The slow degradation of cooling power (versus sudden loss) was
indicatory of a bad evaporator coil, plus he visually observed corrosion.
Cost (parts, labor, installation) was $825. This seems high but wanted to
check to see if in fact it is.
Also, was told two things can cause corrosion of coil:
1) Running a/c at low outside temperatures. I don't do this but am the
second owner of the home so don't know what the previous owner did.
2) Dirty filters. I change them pretty regularly, every 45 to 60 days.
Again, don't know what first owner of the home did.
Will running the fan constantly help in case any ice does form on the
evaporator coil? I usually run the fan 24/7 to help distribute the air
more
evenly.
This is a lay-person's opinion.
Depending on where you are the price may be really fair. I paid $600 last
year and we are not in a high cost area. I was hot enough that it seemed
like a bargain. It was not my high estimate.
The crap they use to make the coils is caustic. A manufacturing failure to
properly clean the coil can lead to failure. Moisture inside the system
leads to premature failure. Make sure that the price you are paying
includes a new "filter/dryer". I have two units one failed after 7 years
and the other worked on Saturday. 12 years old this past month.
Running the unit at OS temps below the recommendation can cause problems.
EV coil failure is not one of them. RTFM. And in most cases if it is cool
enough outside to cause problems the unit won't be running anyway.
Filter don't have a d%$# thing to do with it. Ice on the outside of the
coils is a different problem. Keeping clean filters and good air flow does
help with this. It is the moisture on the inside of the coils that cause
the failure. The outside of the coils almost always are wet. That is why
the unit drips water to the drain.
In all fairness to the tech. He felt a need to answer your questions and
gave you the BS he had been programmed to say.
Get a couple of more estimates to be sure that you are getting the best
price.
--
Colbyt
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