Air Con Leaking problem
 

I have an air conditioner leaking water on to my ceiling. The unit is up in
the attic and I had someone come out to take a look. He said the evaporator
coil and horizontal coil needs to be replaced. The drain pan was all rusted
out at the bottom also (not sure if that's a separate thing). Anyways, I
was quoted $1800 to have it fixed. This seems rather high so I'd like to
get your opinion. Note that I know nothing about ACs.

The air con is a 3 ton unit, and I see in the notes that the existing coil
model # is 6H365 36000, followed by what looks like "BtPayne" (not sure what
that is, can't read the sloppy handwriting).

Can someone give me some advice on this, such as:

- Is this price too high?
- The drain pain, is that what the coil is referring to?
- What brand coil should I get? I've read some reports about flimsy coils
that will break in a few years, and I don't want that.

Shabam wrote:

I have an air conditioner leaking water on to my ceiling. The unit is up in
the attic and I had someone come out to take a look. He said the evaporator
coil and horizontal coil needs to be replaced. The drain pan was all rusted
out at the bottom also (not sure if that's a separate thing). Anyways, I
was quoted $1800 to have it fixed. This seems rather high so I'd like to
get your opinion. Note that I know nothing about ACs.

The air con is a 3 ton unit, and I see in the notes that the existing coil
model # is 6H365 36000, followed by what looks like "BtPayne" (not sure what
that is, can't read the sloppy handwriting).

Can someone give me some advice on this, such as:

- Is this price too high?
- The drain pain, is that what the coil is referring to?
- What brand coil should I get? I've read some reports about flimsy coils
that will break in a few years, and I don't want that.

Depending upon access, etc. this could be a very reasonable price.
Brand isn't going to matter nearly as much as how well the job is done.
If you want to insure against premature leakage then just remove the
system. All brands are susceptible to formicary corrosion and rust. One
preventive measure is to keep the condensate assembly clean, another is
to keep up with the air filter. Dirt on a coil can release corrosive
agents and catalysts.

hvacrmedic

Shabam wrote:
I have an air conditioner leaking water on to my ceiling. The unit is up in
the attic and I had someone come out to take a look. He said the evaporator
coil and horizontal coil needs to be replaced. The drain pan was all rusted
out at the bottom also (not sure if that's a separate thing). Anyways, I
was quoted $1800 to have it fixed. This seems rather high so I'd like to
get your opinion. Note that I know nothing about ACs.

The air con is a 3 ton unit, and I see in the notes that the existing coil
model # is 6H365 36000, followed by what looks like "BtPayne" (not sure what
that is, can't read the sloppy handwriting).

Can someone give me some advice on this, such as:

- Is this price too high?
- The drain pain, is that what the coil is referring to?
- What brand coil should I get? I've read some reports about flimsy coils
that will break in a few years, and I don't want that.


That's about what I paid for a replacement.

Shabam wrote:
The
drain pan was all rusted out at the bottom also (not sure if that's a
separate thing).

Many techs get commissions to sell new systems.

If your air conditioner is working OK (and not leaking refrigerant) and
the only problem is the water in the ceiling, then consider having a
contractor just repair or replae the drain pan. For a few hundred $ you
might be able to get another five years or more out of the existing
system.

"Travis Jordan" wrote in message
. ..
Shabam wrote:
The
drain pan was all rusted out at the bottom also (not sure if that's a
separate thing).

Many techs get commissions to sell new systems.

If your air conditioner is working OK (and not leaking refrigerant) and
the only problem is the water in the ceiling, then consider having a
contractor just repair or replae the drain pan. For a few hundred $ you
might be able to get another five years or more out of the existing
system.

Yeah... that will give him another 5 years to save the extra couple of
thousand to replace the system under the 13 SEER rule

On Thu, 25 Aug 2005 18:50:57 -0700, "Shabam"
wrote:

I have an air conditioner leaking water on to my ceiling. The unit is up in
the attic and I had someone come out to take a look. He said the evaporator
coil and horizontal coil needs to be replaced. The drain pan was all rusted
out at the bottom also (not sure if that's a separate thing). Anyways, I
was quoted $1800 to have it fixed. This seems rather high so I'd like to
get your opinion. Note that I know nothing about ACs.

The air con is a 3 ton unit, and I see in the notes that the existing coil
model # is 6H365 36000, followed by what looks like "BtPayne" (not sure what
that is, can't read the sloppy handwriting).

Can someone give me some advice on this, such as:

- Is this price too high?
- The drain pain, is that what the coil is referring to?
- What brand coil should I get? I've read some reports about flimsy coils
that will break in a few years, and I don't want that.


How's the unit working? If it's working great, I don't know that I'd
jump at getting it repaired. The immediate problem is the drainage
onto your ceiling - that may create some big problems in the future if
you don't get that stopped. Consider stainless for the material next
time since it doesn't sound like the galvanized lasted long.

yes. may be just replace the drain pan . couple of 100$.. mine was
rusted, but the technican used some compressed air and blew out
whatever was choking the drain pipe.
now it doesnot leak anymore. even though it shows signs of rust.

"Noon-Air" wrote in message
...
|
| "Travis Jordan" wrote in message
| . ..
| Shabam wrote:
| The
| drain pan was all rusted out at the bottom also (not sure if that's a
| separate thing).
|
| Many techs get commissions to sell new systems.
|
| If your air conditioner is working OK (and not leaking refrigerant) and
| the only problem is the water in the ceiling, then consider having a
| contractor just repair or replae the drain pan. For a few hundred $ you
| might be able to get another five years or more out of the existing
| system.
|
| Yeah... that will give him another 5 years to save the extra couple of
| thousand to replace the system under the 13 SEER rule

Maybe just have a drywall contractor come in every couple of weeks to
replace the ceiling for another 5 years or so? I don't think they take a
commission and I'm sure if he set it up on a recurring contract they would
give him a good deal and wave any commission they might have had. :-)

- Robert

How's the unit working? If it's working great, I don't know that I'd
jump at getting it repaired. The immediate problem is the drainage
onto your ceiling - that may create some big problems in the future if
you don't get that stopped. Consider stainless for the material next
time since it doesn't sound like the galvanized lasted long.

A tech said he will replace the pan with a plastic one from some company
named Payne (sp?). Is this a better solution than a metal one?

A tech said he will use a plastic pan. Is this better than steel? Are
there downsides? He mentioned some brand named Payne (sp?).

"Shabam" wrote in message
...
A tech said he will use a plastic pan. Is this better than steel? Are
there downsides? He mentioned some brand named Payne (sp?).

Plastic won't rust.
Payne is cheap builder grade Carrier

On Fri, 26 Aug 2005 09:19:39 -0700, "Shabam"
wrote:

How's the unit working? If it's working great, I don't know that I'd
jump at getting it repaired. The immediate problem is the drainage
onto your ceiling - that may create some big problems in the future if
you don't get that stopped. Consider stainless for the material next
time since it doesn't sound like the galvanized lasted long.

A tech said he will replace the pan with a plastic one from some company
named Payne (sp?). Is this a better solution than a metal one?

lol - I thought about plastic after I sent my original. Plastic would
work fine too - some polys hold up better in inclimate weather than
others but it's a less expensive solution than metal these days.
Sounds like the estimated work approaches a new unit so if your
existing one has life left in it, you might as well get the bang for
the buck and run it until it fails. I've had a WIDE variety in
experiences with service guys too though so it may pay to have another
company take a look and give you an estimate. One company I am
familiar with sells way more compressors than they need to, for
example.

Plastic won't rust.

So I guess that's good?

Payne is cheap builder grade Carrier

You mean it's low quality? What would be a better brand?

My air conditioner is about 13 years old. The guy suggested I should
replace the inside unit and the outside condensor (3 ton) for $3,000 total.
It will be Payne. Is this reasonable?

lol - I thought about plastic after I sent my original. Plastic would
work fine too - some polys hold up better in inclimate weather than
others but it's a less expensive solution than metal these days.
Sounds like the estimated work approaches a new unit so if your
existing one has life left in it, you might as well get the bang for
the buck and run it until it fails. I've had a WIDE variety in
experiences with service guys too though so it may pay to have another
company take a look and give you an estimate. One company I am
familiar with sells way more compressors than they need to, for
example.

My air conditioner is about 13 years old. The guy suggested I should
replace the inside unit and the outside condensor (3 ton) for $3,000 total.
It will be Payne. Is this reasonable?

I'd be trying to get a second assessment without telling either one of
them about the other.

On Fri, 26 Aug 2005 13:15:35 -0700, "Shabam"
wrote:

lol - I thought about plastic after I sent my original. Plastic would
work fine too - some polys hold up better in inclimate weather than
others but it's a less expensive solution than metal these days.
Sounds like the estimated work approaches a new unit so if your
existing one has life left in it, you might as well get the bang for
the buck and run it until it fails. I've had a WIDE variety in
experiences with service guys too though so it may pay to have another
company take a look and give you an estimate. One company I am
familiar with sells way more compressors than they need to, for
example.

My air conditioner is about 13 years old. The guy suggested I should
replace the inside unit and the outside condensor (3 ton) for $3,000 total.
It will be Payne. Is this reasonable?

Shabam wrote:
Plastic won't rust.

So I guess that's good?

Payne is cheap builder grade Carrier

You mean it's low quality? What would be a better brand?

My air conditioner is about 13 years old. The guy suggested I should
replace the inside unit and the outside condensor (3 ton) for $3,000
total. It will be Payne. Is this reasonable?

Once again, if the coils are not leaking just repair the pan. Plastic
is fine. Looks like you are in southern California...costs are higher
there but about $300 should do it.

"Shabam" wrote in message
...
Plastic won't rust.

So I guess that's good?

Payne is cheap builder grade Carrier

You mean it's low quality? What would be a better brand?

My air conditioner is about 13 years old. The guy suggested I should
replace the inside unit and the outside condensor (3 ton) for $3,000
total.
It will be Payne. Is this reasonable?

You might check into the ratings done by Consumer Reports for the best
brands, but keep in mind that you can have the best of the best in
equipment, but if you have a bad install, you got junk.

good advice, Noon Air
"Noon-Air" wrote in message
...

"Shabam" wrote in message
...
Plastic won't rust.

So I guess that's good?

Payne is cheap builder grade Carrier

You mean it's low quality? What would be a better brand?

My air conditioner is about 13 years old. The guy suggested I should
replace the inside unit and the outside condensor (3 ton) for $3,000
total.
It will be Payne. Is this reasonable?

You might check into the ratings done by Consumer Reports for the best
brands, but keep in mind that you can have the best of the best in
equipment, but if you have a bad install, you got junk.