Replacing Freon in AC
 

Hi Home Repair Gurus..

Is it normal for an brand new AC unit (installed in a newly built home)
to require replacing about half the freeon (say about 2 pounds worth)
after about 6 years..

My AC recently stopped blowing cool air (even though the fan is on),
even after replacing the filter, and the AC tech said that there was
some freezing that had occurred due to a lack of freeon, and that it had
to be replaced..

Thanks

user wrote:
Hi Home Repair Gurus..

Is it normal for an brand new AC unit (installed in a newly built home)
to require replacing about half the freeon (say about 2 pounds worth)
after about 6 years..

My AC recently stopped blowing cool air (even though the fan is on),
even after replacing the filter, and the AC tech said that there was
some freezing that had occurred due to a lack of freeon, and that it had
to be replaced..

Thanks

No, it isn't normal. It has a leak. If a leak search wasn't suggested by
the tech, then call someone else out to run one, obviously the guy that
juiced it simply didn't want to do a leak search, and would probably not
do it right even if you called back and insisted.

hvacrmedic

Thanks..

Well, he did suggest that it might be a leak, but he first suggested
that we should wait for it to blow cool air, and then if it doesn't,
then call him out again for a leak search..

Is there any way to tell that the leak is coming from the machinery in
the attic above, or from the actual unit outside, (where the fan is)

Thanks



RP wrote:



user wrote:

Hi Home Repair Gurus..

Is it normal for an brand new AC unit (installed in a newly built
home) to require replacing about half the freeon (say about 2 pounds
worth) after about 6 years..

My AC recently stopped blowing cool air (even though the fan is on),
even after replacing the filter, and the AC tech said that there was
some freezing that had occurred due to a lack of freeon, and that it
had to be replaced..

Thanks


No, it isn't normal. It has a leak. If a leak search wasn't suggested by
the tech, then call someone else out to run one, obviously the guy that
juiced it simply didn't want to do a leak search, and would probably not
do it right even if you called back and insisted.

hvacrmedic

user wrote:
Thanks..

Well, he did suggest that it might be a leak, but he first suggested
that we should wait for it to blow cool air, and then if it doesn't,
then call him out again for a leak search..

Is there any way to tell that the leak is coming from the machinery in
the attic above, or from the actual unit outside, (where the fan is)


They have ways of detecting leaks and there are different ways of doing
it. For what it is worth, my house has 2 A/Cs (upstairs and
downstairs). They both developed leaks in the evaportator coils after
about 10 years. I noticed the problem when the evaporators started
iceing up. The A/C guys found the problem almost instantly so I guess
it is a common thing. It cost about $1200 for each coil replacement. Ouch.

"user" wrote in message
...
Thanks..

Well, he did suggest that it might be a leak, but he first suggested that
we should wait for it to blow cool air, and then if it doesn't, then call
him out again for a leak search..

Is there any way to tell that the leak is coming from the machinery in
the attic above, or from the actual unit outside, (where the fan is)

Thanks

Yes, the tech should use a leak detector.

Anything mechanical will wear out and break. Leaks happen from seals drying
out, mechanical loosening from vibration, joints getting bumped into, etc.
While it can take some time to find the leak, he should have at least made a
quick check of the obvious easy to reach places as a start.

It is much cheaper to just have the freon 'topped off' every 6
years. Forget the leak until it requires rejuicing every year.


Sherman.



On Wed, 24 Aug 2005 13:05:05 -0400, user wrote:

Thanks..

Well, he did suggest that it might be a leak, but he first suggested
that we should wait for it to blow cool air, and then if it doesn't,
then call him out again for a leak search..

Is there any way to tell that the leak is coming from the machinery in
the attic above, or from the actual unit outside, (where the fan is)

Thanks



RP wrote:



user wrote:

Hi Home Repair Gurus..

Is it normal for an brand new AC unit (installed in a newly built
home) to require replacing about half the freeon (say about 2 pounds
worth) after about 6 years..

My AC recently stopped blowing cool air (even though the fan is on),
even after replacing the filter, and the AC tech said that there was
some freezing that had occurred due to a lack of freeon, and that it
had to be replaced..

Thanks


No, it isn't normal. It has a leak. If a leak search wasn't suggested by
the tech, then call someone else out to run one, obviously the guy that
juiced it simply didn't want to do a leak search, and would probably not
do it right even if you called back and insisted.

hvacrmedic

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On Wed, 24 Aug 2005 13:05:05 -0400, user wrote:

but he first suggested
that we should wait for it to blow cool air,


I suggest he is blowing hot air.


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-john
wide-open at throttle dot info

It sounds like you had a techie out, and he added some freon. No, it's not
normal to lose a couple pounds in six years.

If the leak is slow, the system might work for a couple more years. On the
other hand, it might be an easy to repair leak.

In addition, after a couple years, your system likely needs cleaning, which
is essential. Dust clogged coils don't work very well. May be costing you
electricity wasted, and system not running very well.

--

Christopher A. Young
Do good work.
It's longer in the short run
but shorter in the long run.
..
..


"user" wrote in message
...
Hi Home Repair Gurus..

Is it normal for an brand new AC unit (installed in a newly built home)
to require replacing about half the freeon (say about 2 pounds worth)
after about 6 years..

My AC recently stopped blowing cool air (even though the fan is on),
even after replacing the filter, and the AC tech said that there was
some freezing that had occurred due to a lack of freeon, and that it had
to be replaced..

Thanks

Edwin Pawlowski wrote:
Anything mechanical will wear out and break. Leaks happen from seals
drying out, mechanical loosening from vibration, joints getting
bumped into, etc.

"seals drying out"? "mechanical loosening from vibration"?

Not in residential split systems. They are hermetically sealed and have
brazed linesets.

"Travis Jordan" wrote in message

Not in residential split systems. They are hermetically sealed and have
brazed linesets.

Not every brazed joint is a perfect joint.

HACR refrigerant circuits are hermetically sealed and, in theory should
never need to have refrigerant added. However, in practical applications
components fail, vibration adds stress to mechanically sealed linesets, the
installer may have practiced less than ideal brazing standards, manufacturer
seals fail....a host of variables can determine whether the system will
suffer refrigerant loss or not. Given that preface, and I may have
misunderstood your post, but I interpreted it to say you were told that
simply because the system had iced you were told by some hack that it needed
replaced? If I interpreted that wrong...my apologies.....interpreted
correctly though I wouldn't let whom ever told you that anywhere around the
equipment again. Systems ice up all over the world everyday, for a variety
of reasons. Contact a competent service provider. They will locate and
correct the source of loss, evacuate the system and recharge it. If the
person meant that the refrigerant would have to be replaced he is correct.
Following correction of leak source and evacuation.






"user" wrote in message
...
Hi Home Repair Gurus..

Is it normal for an brand new AC unit (installed in a newly built home)
to require replacing about half the freeon (say about 2 pounds worth)
after about 6 years..

My AC recently stopped blowing cool air (even though the fan is on),
even after replacing the filter, and the AC tech said that there was
some freezing that had occurred due to a lack of freeon, and that it had
to be replaced..

Thanks

I was just waitin' for some **** up to say that...another name in the kill
file.




"Me" wrote in message
...

It is much cheaper to just have the freon 'topped off' every 6
years. Forget the leak until it requires rejuicing every year.


Sherman.



On Wed, 24 Aug 2005 13:05:05 -0400, user wrote:

Thanks..

Well, he did suggest that it might be a leak, but he first suggested
that we should wait for it to blow cool air, and then if it doesn't,
then call him out again for a leak search..

Is there any way to tell that the leak is coming from the machinery in
the attic above, or from the actual unit outside, (where the fan is)

Thanks



RP wrote:



user wrote:

Hi Home Repair Gurus..

Is it normal for an brand new AC unit (installed in a newly built
home) to require replacing about half the freeon (say about 2 pounds
worth) after about 6 years..

My AC recently stopped blowing cool air (even though the fan is on),
even after replacing the filter, and the AC tech said that there was
some freezing that had occurred due to a lack of freeon, and that it
had to be replaced..

Thanks


No, it isn't normal. It has a leak. If a leak search wasn't suggested
by
the tech, then call someone else out to run one, obviously the guy that
juiced it simply didn't want to do a leak search, and would probably
not
do it right even if you called back and insisted.

hvacrmedic

As little as 1/16th" of dust/dirt on an evaporator coil can increase
operating costs associated with that equipment by as much as 10%.


"Stormin Mormon" wrote in message
...
It sounds like you had a techie out, and he added some freon. No, it's not
normal to lose a couple pounds in six years.

If the leak is slow, the system might work for a couple more years. On the
other hand, it might be an easy to repair leak.

In addition, after a couple years, your system likely needs cleaning,
which
is essential. Dust clogged coils don't work very well. May be costing you
electricity wasted, and system not running very well.

--

Christopher A. Young
Do good work.
It's longer in the short run
but shorter in the long run.
.
.


"user" wrote in message
...
Hi Home Repair Gurus..

Is it normal for an brand new AC unit (installed in a newly built home)
to require replacing about half the freeon (say about 2 pounds worth)
after about 6 years..

My AC recently stopped blowing cool air (even though the fan is on),
even after replacing the filter, and the AC tech said that there was
some freezing that had occurred due to a lack of freeon, and that it had
to be replaced..

Thanks

Travis Jordan wrote:
Edwin Pawlowski wrote:

Anything mechanical will wear out and break. Leaks happen from seals
drying out, mechanical loosening from vibration, joints getting
bumped into, etc.


"seals drying out"? "mechanical loosening from vibration"?

Not in residential split systems. They are hermetically sealed and have
brazed linesets.

Not even wrong. All split systems have line taps or service valves
(Except for the extremely rare exception). Most split systems also have
compression or flare fittings as well. If you don't know HVAC then let
the HVAC professionals here do the answering, because you apparently
don't have a clue about HVAC. You could do more harm than good by
posting wildly incorrect information.

hvacrmedic

"user" wrote in message ...
Hi Home Repair Gurus..

Is it normal for an brand new AC unit (installed in a newly built home) to
require replacing about half the freeon (say about 2 pounds worth) after about
6 years..

My AC recently stopped blowing cool air (even though the fan is on), even
after replacing the filter, and the AC tech said that there was some freezing
that had occurred due to a lack of freon, and that it had to be replaced..

Thanks


This is Turtle.

if half the freon was missing from the system in 6 years of operation. well you
have a leak that let it out over that 6 years and you need to have the leak
found and repaired. If you go for just refilling it and let it go. well you just
became what is called a cash cow in the HVAC business for you will always want
the serviuce man back to refill it every years or two.

Also if you think you should change your freon in your system every so often,
well it is recommended to change the freon out in your hvac system every 164
years.

TURTLE

TURTLE wrote:

"user" wrote in message ...

Hi Home Repair Gurus..

Is it normal for an brand new AC unit (installed in a newly built home) to
require replacing about half the freeon (say about 2 pounds worth) after about
6 years..

My AC recently stopped blowing cool air (even though the fan is on), even
after replacing the filter, and the AC tech said that there was some freezing
that had occurred due to a lack of freon, and that it had to be replaced..

Thanks



This is Turtle.

if half the freon was missing from the system in 6 years of operation. well you
have a leak that let it out over that 6 years and you need to have the leak
found and repaired. If you go for just refilling it and let it go. well you just
became what is called a cash cow in the HVAC business for you will always want
the serviuce man back to refill it every years or two.

Also if you think you should change your freon in your system every so often,
well it is recommended to change the freon out in your hvac system every 164
years.

And not a day longer.

BTW, it's possible that the refrigerant leaked out over a 2 day period,
we don't know now do we?

hvacrmedic

"RP" wrote in message
...


TURTLE wrote:

"user" wrote in message
...

Hi Home Repair Gurus..

Is it normal for an brand new AC unit (installed in a newly built home) to
require replacing about half the freeon (say about 2 pounds worth) after
about 6 years..

My AC recently stopped blowing cool air (even though the fan is on), even
after replacing the filter, and the AC tech said that there was some freezing
that had occurred due to a lack of freon, and that it had to be replaced..

Thanks



This is Turtle.

if half the freon was missing from the system in 6 years of operation. well
you have a leak that let it out over that 6 years and you need to have the
leak found and repaired. If you go for just refilling it and let it go. well
you just became what is called a cash cow in the HVAC business for you will
always want the serviuce man back to refill it every years or two.

Also if you think you should change your freon in your system every so often,
well it is recommended to change the freon out in your hvac system every 164
years.

And not a day longer.

BTW, it's possible that the refrigerant leaked out over a 2 day period, we
don't know now do we?

hvacrmedic

This is Turtle.

i have a Son in law that was working for Dupont at the time and he and I was
talking to one of there chemical engineers at a social gathering and he was
telling the R-22 did show some signs of some break down on or about 164 years.
They have ways of projecting time of freon break down and r-22 does break down a
little at 164 years. He did say that if it would be the case. You should change
out the R-22 every 164 years in any equipment that you may have.

So we should recommend changing the Freon 22 out every 164 years !

TURTLE

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On Thu, 25 Aug 2005 20:34:18 -0500, "TURTLE"
wrote:

if half the freon was missing from the system in 6 years of
operation. well you have a leak that let it out over that 6 years


Poppycock.

There is no proof that the leak is six years old.
A leak that slow would also cause a very gradual performance loss.
It very well may have leaked a lot faster than that.


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-john
wide-open at throttle dot info

"~^Johnny^~" wrote in message
...
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On Thu, 25 Aug 2005 20:34:18 -0500, "TURTLE"
wrote:

if half the freon was missing from the system in 6 years of
operation. well you have a leak that let it out over that 6 years


Poppycock.

There is no proof that the leak is six years old.
A leak that slow would also cause a very gradual performance loss.
It very well may have leaked a lot faster than that.



This is Turtle.

Look PoppyCock if you say i was wrong with the slow freon leak theory , well
where is your theory of how it got out and PoppyCock is not a theory ?

TURTLE

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On Fri, 26 Aug 2005 20:49:18 -0500, "TURTLE"
wrote:


"~^Johnny^~" wrote in message
.. .
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On Thu, 25 Aug 2005 20:34:18 -0500, "TURTLE"
wrote:

if half the freon was missing from the system in 6 years of
operation. well you have a leak that let it out over that 6 years


Poppycock.

There is no proof that the leak is six years old.
A leak that slow would also cause a very gradual performance
loss. It very well may have leaked a lot faster than that.



This is Turtle.

Look PoppyCock if you say i was wrong with the slow freon leak
theory , well where is your theory of how it got out and PoppyCock
is not a theory ?

TURTLE

It leaked out in less than six months?

No problem for you, you 've got a pinch off tool! :-)



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-john
wide-open at throttle dot info

"~^Johnny^~" wrote in message
...
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On Fri, 26 Aug 2005 20:49:18 -0500, "TURTLE"
wrote:


"~^Johnny^~" wrote in message
. ..
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On Thu, 25 Aug 2005 20:34:18 -0500, "TURTLE"
wrote:

if half the freon was missing from the system in 6 years of
operation. well you have a leak that let it out over that 6 years


Poppycock.

There is no proof that the leak is six years old.
A leak that slow would also cause a very gradual performance
loss. It very well may have leaked a lot faster than that.



This is Turtle.

Look PoppyCock if you say i was wrong with the slow freon leak
theory , well where is your theory of how it got out and PoppyCock
is not a theory ?

TURTLE

It leaked out in less than six months?

No problem for you, you 've got a pinch off tool! :-)


Ow...thats gonna leave a large mark.




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--
-john
wide-open at throttle dot info