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#1
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Central A/C repair vs. replace
Just wondering if there's a rule-of-thumb on replacing vs. repairing central A/C units?
My home in MA is 8 years old, and has a (rather cheesy looking) "Concord" system installed when it was built. Last night it stopped cooling - the inside & outside fans run, but no compressor sound, warm air, and the lights dim every 30 seconds or so like the thermal overload is cycling. I shut it down last night and tried again in the AM with same symptoms. So I guess the real question is, if it comes down to replacing outside unit + inside coil vs. just replacing the compressor (do people even do this any more?), what's the best choice? I assume the newer units are more efficient, but how long would it take to recoup an additional $1000 or $1500 cost? Eric |
#2
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Central A/C repair vs. replace
On Tue, 17 Jul 2007 12:55:50 -0400, "Eric" wrote:
Just wondering if there's a rule-of-thumb on replacing vs. repairing central A/C units? My home in MA is 8 years old, and has a (rather cheesy looking) "Concord" system installed when it was built. Last night it stopped cooling - the inside & outside fans run, but no compressor sound, warm air, and the lights dim every 30 seconds or so like the thermal overload is cycling. I shut it down last night and tried again in the AM with same symptoms. So I guess the real question is, if it comes down to replacing outside unit + inside coil vs. just replacing the compressor (do people even do this any more?), what's the best choice? I assume the newer units are more efficient, but how long would it take to recoup an additional $1000 or $1500 cost? Doesn't much sound like a compressor. Likely an electrical problem or you've sprung a refrigerant leak. If it worked OK before, you wanna identify the problem. Call a HVAC technician unless you've got a friend that can troubleshoot AC properly. P "Mit der Dummheit kaempfen Goetter selbst vergebens!" -Friedrich Schiller |
#3
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Central A/C repair vs. replace
"Eric" wrote in message g.com... Just wondering if there's a rule-of-thumb on replacing vs. repairing central A/C units? My home in MA is 8 years old, and has a (rather cheesy looking) "Concord" system installed when it was built. Last night it stopped cooling - the inside & outside fans run, but no compressor sound, warm air, and the lights dim every 30 seconds or so like the thermal overload is cycling. I shut it down last night and tried again in the AM with same symptoms. So I guess the real question is, if it comes down to replacing outside unit + inside coil vs. just replacing the compressor (do people even do this any more?), what's the best choice? I assume the newer units are more efficient, but how long would it take to recoup an additional $1000 or $1500 cost? Eric At 8 years, it is well worth repairing. Could be a simple fix for a couple of hundred as opposed to a few thousand for a new system. As for the additional cost of energy efficiency, just run the numbers. $1500 may not take all that long over the 15 year life of the system., especially at MA electric rates. |
#4
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Central A/C repair vs. replace
"Eric" wrote in message g.com... Just wondering if there's a rule-of-thumb on replacing vs. repairing central A/C units? My home in MA is 8 years old, and has a (rather cheesy looking) "Concord" system installed when it was built. Last night it stopped cooling - the inside & outside fans run, but no compressor sound, warm air, and the lights dim every 30 seconds or so like the thermal overload is cycling. I shut it down last night and tried again in the AM with same symptoms. So I guess the real question is, if it comes down to replacing outside unit + inside coil vs. just replacing the compressor (do people even do this any more?), what's the best choice? I assume the newer units are more efficient, but how long would it take to recoup an additional $1000 or $1500 cost? Eric No doubt you have checked for a reset button on the unit. If not, do so. It appears you are jumping to conclusions without sufficient information to make a decision. I'd suggest you get some professional advice and then make a decision. Bob-tx |
#5
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Central A/C repair vs. replace
Bob wrote:
"Eric" wrote in message ng.com... Just wondering if there's a rule-of-thumb on replacing vs. repairing central A/C units? My home in MA is 8 years old, and has a (rather cheesy looking) "Concord" system installed when it was built. Last night it stopped cooling - the inside & outside fans run, but no compressor sound, warm air, and the lights dim every 30 seconds or so like the thermal overload is cycling. I shut it down last night and tried again in the AM with same symptoms. So I guess the real question is, if it comes down to replacing outside unit + inside coil vs. just replacing the compressor (do people even do this any more?), what's the best choice? I assume the newer units are more efficient, but how long would it take to recoup an additional $1000 or $1500 cost? Eric No doubt you have checked for a reset button on the unit. If not, do so. It appears you are jumping to conclusions without sufficient information to make a decision. I'd suggest you get some professional advice and then make a decision. Bob-tx It could be something simple to fix, do not jump to conclusions, & if they condemn the compressor get several Tech's troubleshooting opinions. The actual operating efficiency of the new higher SEER units depend on a lot of factors. All the factors affecting efficiency have to be right to ever get the rated SEER efficiencies! http://www.udarrell.com/proper_cfm_b...syste ms.html - udarrell -- WISDOM PRINCIPLE DIRECTED EMPOWERMENT COMMUNICATIONS - THE REAL POLITICAL ISSUES and WISDOM BASED PEOPLE EMPOWERMENT http://www.udarrell.com/ http://www.udarrell.com/my_pages2.htm (My Airconditioning Links, Hunting Shooting, Angus Cattle, etc.) http://www.udarrell.com/principled_a...ju stice.html http://www.udarrell.com/recognizing_real_enemies.html http://jesuschristsavior.net/Beatitudes.html http://www.antiwar.com/ *** Reality Is Not An Easy Thing To Be Confronted With, or to Accept! |
#6
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Central A/C repair vs. replace
"Bob" wrote in message news "Eric" wrote in message g.com... Just wondering if there's a rule-of-thumb on replacing vs. repairing central A/C units? My home in MA is 8 years old, and has a (rather cheesy looking) "Concord" system installed when it was built. Last night it stopped cooling - the inside & outside fans run, but no compressor sound, warm air, and the lights dim every 30 seconds or so like the thermal overload is cycling. I shut it down last night and tried again in the AM with same symptoms. So I guess the real question is, if it comes down to replacing outside unit + inside coil vs. just replacing the compressor (do people even do this any more?), what's the best choice? I assume the newer units are more efficient, but how long would it take to recoup an additional $1000 or $1500 cost? Eric No doubt you have checked for a reset button on the unit. If not, do so. Reset button is going to make his lights dim every 30 secs???? Oooook! |
#7
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Central A/C repair vs. replace
"Eric" wrote in message g.com... Just wondering if there's a rule-of-thumb on replacing vs. repairing central A/C units? My home in MA is 8 years old, and has a (rather cheesy looking) "Concord" system installed when it was built. Last night it stopped cooling - the inside & outside fans run, but no compressor sound, warm air, and the lights dim every 30 seconds or so like the thermal overload is cycling. I shut it down last night and tried again in the AM with same symptoms. So I guess the real question is, if it comes down to replacing outside unit + inside coil vs. just replacing the compressor (do people even do this any more?), what's the best choice? I assume the newer units are more efficient, but how long would it take to recoup an additional $1000 or $1500 cost? Eric If it actually turns out to be the compressor, replace the complete system. |
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