"
The last time I had service the guy noticed a leak in a pipe leading to
the inside unit. It is in an upstairs utility room. It had been about
18 months since the last service. The leak was obvious because over
time it penetrated the pipe insulation. See picture below.

Huh?

What is supposed to be leaking?

Is the unit still heating and cooling property? When the "service" was
done, did the guy measure the high and low side pressures? Did he add any
freon (R-22)?

Is the repair guy claiming that the "wet" stuff in the photo is compressor
oil? Or is it just a little water the condensed onto the suction line
when you were cooling the house?


...

I got a recommendation from a neighbor for an HVAC tech they use who
was recommended to them by another neighbor. I'll probably use him in
the future. But I still want to avoid an expensive repair if possible.

I strongly suggest that you call in the HVAC tech who was recommended by the
neighbor. Get a second opinion and a 2nd bid.

Again, you didn't say why the service call was necessary. Was the unit not
heating/cooling as you have come to expect. Did the tech add any freon?

And I wonder about your wording. If a tech finds low levels of freon
(R-22) then he FINDS a leak rather than NOTICES a leak. It's sound like
when you take your car in for an oil change the tech "notices" that you need
new belts, etc.

If there is defintiely a leak rather the condensation from the insulation
not being properly placed the the $1000 is a "little" high, IMO but $500
would be in the ball park for a half day of work plus freon, etc.



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