I just had AC service done last week and the technician said that
there were no freon in the system at all. As far as I know frean
doesn't just disapper and since it worked fine last summer there must
be a leak. So he added 8lb and the system works fine but I noticed
some kind of white sludge on a plastic cover of my basement window
next to the copper freon pipe. Here is a pictures of what it looks
like: http://e-pixel.net/freon.jpg
Is that the place of my possible leak?

Jack

On Jul 5, 6:42*pm, JackpipE wrote:
I just had AC service done last week and the technician said that
there were no freon in the system at all. As far as I know frean
doesn't just disapper and since it worked fine last summer there must
be a leak. So he added 8lb and the system works fine but I noticed
some kind of white sludge on a plastic cover of my basement window
next to the copper freon pipe. Here is a pictures of what it looks
like:http://e-pixel.net/freon.jpg
Is that the place of my possible leak?

Jack

A 'sniffer' detector should be able to pick up the leak quite easily.
Best done on a day with no wind. Call your servicing company and ask
them to do the leak check for you. IMO, they should have done it
during the system recharge. Good luck.

Joe

JackpipE wrote in news:9bf42cd7-45a7-4dfa-9dde-
:

I just had AC service done last week and the technician said that
there were no freon in the system at all. As far as I know frean
doesn't just disapper and since it worked fine last summer there must
be a leak. So he added 8lb and the system works fine but I noticed
some kind of white sludge on a plastic cover of my basement window
next to the copper freon pipe. Here is a pictures of what it looks
like: http://e-pixel.net/freon.jpg
Is that the place of my possible leak?

Jack

Out of curiosity:

8lb at ? per lb? If unknown, what was total bill?

What's your approx location?

Was it R22 or 410A?

JackpipE wrote:
I just had AC service done last week and the technician said that
there were no freon in the system at all. As far as I know frean
doesn't just disapper and since it worked fine last summer there must
be a leak. So he added 8lb and the system works fine but I noticed
some kind of white sludge on a plastic cover of my basement window
next to the copper freon pipe. Here is a pictures of what it looks
like: http://e-pixel.net/freon.jpg
Is that the place of my possible leak?

Jack

He added 8 lbs. of freon and never looked for the leak???? I think I
would either raise hell or get another person to service the unit.

"Ralph Mowery" wrote in message
m...

"JackpipE" wrote in message
...
I just had AC service done last week and the technician said that
there were no freon in the system at all. As far as I know frean
doesn't just disapper and since it worked fine last summer there must
be a leak. So he added 8lb and the system works fine but I noticed
some kind of white sludge on a plastic cover of my basement window
next to the copper freon pipe. Here is a pictures of what it looks
like: http://e-pixel.net/freon.jpg
Is that the place of my possible leak?

Jack

Freon will evaporate almost as soon as it hits the air. It will not leave
anything behind. The unit will have oil in it and you may find some oil
around where it leaks out.

If he added 8 pounds, the system must be empty or almost empty. He should
have checked for leaks to find out where the freon leaked out. If really
empty, he should have put a vacuum pump on it and sucked all the air and
any moistuer out of the system before it was refilled.

YOu are right, the system is a closed system and the freon should stay in
it unless there is a leak. Anytime freon is added, it means a leak
somewhere as it does not get used up.

Your right the only way it woud be empty is if there is a leak.

"JackpipE" wrote in message
...
I just had AC service done last week and the technician said that
there were no freon in the system at all. As far as I know frean
doesn't just disapper and since it worked fine last summer there must
be a leak. So he added 8lb and the system works fine but I noticed
some kind of white sludge on a plastic cover of my basement window
next to the copper freon pipe. Here is a pictures of what it looks
like: http://e-pixel.net/freon.jpg
Is that the place of my possible leak?

Jack

Freon will evaporate almost as soon as it hits the air. It will not leave
anything behind. The unit will have oil in it and you may find some oil
around where it leaks out.

If he added 8 pounds, the system must be empty or almost empty. He should
have checked for leaks to find out where the freon leaked out. If really
empty, he should have put a vacuum pump on it and sucked all the air and any
moistuer out of the system before it was refilled.

YOu are right, the system is a closed system and the freon should stay in it
unless there is a leak. Anytime freon is added, it means a leak somewhere
as it does not get used up.

"Red Green" wrote in message
...
JackpipE wrote in news:9bf42cd7-45a7-4dfa-9dde-
:

I just had AC service done last week and the technician said that
there were no freon in the system at all. As far as I know frean
doesn't just disapper and since it worked fine last summer there must
be a leak. So he added 8lb and the system works fine but I noticed
some kind of white sludge on a plastic cover of my basement window
next to the copper freon pipe. Here is a pictures of what it looks
like: http://e-pixel.net/freon.jpg
Is that the place of my possible leak?

Jack

Out of curiosity:

8lb at ? per lb? If unknown, what was total bill?

What's your approx location?

Was it R22 or 410A?

I paid $236.45 for 4.5lbs R22

Austin TX

"jthread" wrote in news:fYVbk.192363$SV4.155483
@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net:


"Red Green" wrote in message
...
JackpipE wrote in news:9bf42cd7-45a7-4dfa-9dde-
:

I just had AC service done last week and the technician said that
there were no freon in the system at all. As far as I know frean
doesn't just disapper and since it worked fine last summer there must
be a leak. So he added 8lb and the system works fine but I noticed
some kind of white sludge on a plastic cover of my basement window
next to the copper freon pipe. Here is a pictures of what it looks
like: http://e-pixel.net/freon.jpg
Is that the place of my possible leak?

Jack

Out of curiosity:

8lb at ? per lb? If unknown, what was total bill?

What's your approx location?

Was it R22 or 410A?

I paid $236.45 for 4.5lbs R22

Austin TX


Just for the R22 itself? Not including service call, check this & that?
Appreciate the response but question it because I find it odd they would
charge an oddball abmont of $52.54/lb.

Red Green wrote:
"jthread" wrote in news:fYVbk.192363$SV4.155483
@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net:

"Red Green" wrote in message
...
JackpipE wrote in news:9bf42cd7-45a7-4dfa-9dde-
:

I just had AC service done last week and the technician said that
there were no freon in the system at all. As far as I know frean
doesn't just disapper and since it worked fine last summer there must
be a leak. So he added 8lb and the system works fine but I noticed
some kind of white sludge on a plastic cover of my basement window
next to the copper freon pipe. Here is a pictures of what it looks
like: http://e-pixel.net/freon.jpg
Is that the place of my possible leak?

Jack
Out of curiosity:

8lb at ? per lb? If unknown, what was total bill?

What's your approx location?

Was it R22 or 410A?
I paid $236.45 for 4.5lbs R22

Austin TX


Just for the R22 itself? Not including service call, check this & that?
Appreciate the response but question it because I find it odd they would
charge an oddball abmont of $52.54/lb.

Hi,
Sales tax?

"Red Green" wrote in message
...
"jthread" wrote in news:fYVbk.192363$SV4.155483
@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net:


"Red Green" wrote in message
...
JackpipE wrote in news:9bf42cd7-45a7-4dfa-9dde-
:

I just had AC service done last week and the technician said that
there were no freon in the system at all. As far as I know frean
doesn't just disapper and since it worked fine last summer there must
be a leak. So he added 8lb and the system works fine but I noticed
some kind of white sludge on a plastic cover of my basement window
next to the copper freon pipe. Here is a pictures of what it looks
like: http://e-pixel.net/freon.jpg
Is that the place of my possible leak?

Jack

Out of curiosity:

8lb at ? per lb? If unknown, what was total bill?

What's your approx location?

Was it R22 or 410A?

I paid $236.45 for 4.5lbs R22

Austin TX


Just for the R22 itself? Not including service call, check this & that?
Appreciate the response but question it because I find it odd they would
charge an oddball abmont of $52.54/lb.

No problem:

This is the way the bill reads

Diagnostic Analysis: $65.00
4.5lbs R22 1st lb 75.42 each lb after that 46.03: $236.45
Total: $301.45

Desc. of work: Found unit low on R22 ref charged unit w/4.5 lbs. Checked for
leak outside and found no leak. Leak most likely in evap coil.

Recommendation: Get ready to replace system.

Bill finished.

The tech told me it wasn't worth spending a lot of time on it as it's just
money down the drain. He said R22 has gone through the roof and I should
have the system replaced when the pressure drops again. He quoted me
anywhere around 5k to 10k for a new system. So far I have about 1/2 of the
money saved up for a new system. The one I have now is an Amana 042. He said
it was a cheap system.

I figured the repair and the quote was too expensive and I wouldn't use that
particular company to replace unit. I wasn't too impressed with Christian
Bros. despite the good reviews they have from other customers.

"jthread" wrote in message
...

"Red Green" wrote in message
...
JackpipE wrote in news:9bf42cd7-45a7-4dfa-9dde-
:

Out of curiosity:

8lb at ? per lb? If unknown, what was total bill?

What's your approx location?

Was it R22 or 410A?

I paid $236.45 for 4.5lbs R22

Austin TX

Was that for a service call plus the r22 ?

I have not priced the r22 in many years. Think I gave about $ 70 for a 20
or 30 lb container of it. Must have been about 10 years ago.

What is the current price for r22 in a container ?

"jthread" wrote in
:


"Red Green" wrote in message
...
"jthread" wrote in news:fYVbk.192363$SV4.155483
@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net:


"Red Green" wrote in message
...
JackpipE wrote in
news:9bf42cd7-45a7-4dfa-9dde-
:

I just had AC service done last week and the technician said that
there were no freon in the system at all. As far as I know frean
doesn't just disapper and since it worked fine last summer there
must be a leak. So he added 8lb and the system works fine but I
noticed some kind of white sludge on a plastic cover of my
basement window next to the copper freon pipe. Here is a pictures
of what it looks like: http://e-pixel.net/freon.jpg
Is that the place of my possible leak?

Jack

Out of curiosity:

8lb at ? per lb? If unknown, what was total bill?

What's your approx location?

Was it R22 or 410A?

I paid $236.45 for 4.5lbs R22

Austin TX


Just for the R22 itself? Not including service call, check this &
that? Appreciate the response but question it because I find it odd
they would charge an oddball abmont of $52.54/lb.

No problem:

This is the way the bill reads

Diagnostic Analysis: $65.00
4.5lbs R22 1st lb 75.42 each lb after that 46.03: $236.45
Total: $301.45

Desc. of work: Found unit low on R22 ref charged unit w/4.5 lbs.
Checked for leak outside and found no leak. Leak most likely in evap
coil.

Recommendation: Get ready to replace system.

Bill finished.

The tech told me it wasn't worth spending a lot of time on it as it's
just money down the drain. He said R22 has gone through the roof and I
should have the system replaced when the pressure drops again. He
quoted me anywhere around 5k to 10k for a new system. So far I have
about 1/2 of the money saved up for a new system. The one I have now
is an Amana 042. He said it was a cheap system.

I figured the repair and the quote was too expensive and I wouldn't
use that particular company to replace unit. I wasn't too impressed
with Christian Bros. despite the good reviews they have from other
customers.


Well, we often feel repairs & quotes are too expensive in many arenas..

but...

1st lb 75.42 each lb after that 46.03

WTF? Like they pay more for the 1st lb when they buy it?! All adds get hit
with the first lb premium. 75*30=$2,250. Can you imagine? They can get up
to that much out of a 30lb can. I'd say they are a ripoff.

"JackpipE" wrote in message
...
: http://e-pixel.net/freon.jpg
Is that the place of my possible leak?
If you want to know for sure, mix up some very concentrated dish soap with
a little water. Take a little paint brush and whip it up into a froth with
little tiny air bubbles in it. "Paint it" thickly all over the exposed
liquid line, sight glass & filter drier. Check it several times over a few
hours and see if the bubbles start to grow from a leak (especially at the
joints).

It shouldn't cost but about 3-4k for a new coil and outdoor unit installed.

s


"jthread" wrote in message
...

"Red Green" wrote in message
...
"jthread" wrote in news:fYVbk.192363$SV4.155483
@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net:


"Red Green" wrote in message
...
JackpipE wrote in news:9bf42cd7-45a7-4dfa-9dde-
:

I just had AC service done last week and the technician said that
there were no freon in the system at all. As far as I know frean
doesn't just disapper and since it worked fine last summer there must
be a leak. So he added 8lb and the system works fine but I noticed
some kind of white sludge on a plastic cover of my basement window
next to the copper freon pipe. Here is a pictures of what it looks
like: http://e-pixel.net/freon.jpg
Is that the place of my possible leak?

Jack

Out of curiosity:

8lb at ? per lb? If unknown, what was total bill?

What's your approx location?

Was it R22 or 410A?

I paid $236.45 for 4.5lbs R22

Austin TX


Just for the R22 itself? Not including service call, check this & that?
Appreciate the response but question it because I find it odd they would
charge an oddball abmont of $52.54/lb.

No problem:

This is the way the bill reads

Diagnostic Analysis: $65.00
4.5lbs R22 1st lb 75.42 each lb after that 46.03: $236.45
Total: $301.45

Desc. of work: Found unit low on R22 ref charged unit w/4.5 lbs. Checked
for leak outside and found no leak. Leak most likely in evap coil.

Recommendation: Get ready to replace system.

Bill finished.

The tech told me it wasn't worth spending a lot of time on it as it's just
money down the drain. He said R22 has gone through the roof and I should
have the system replaced when the pressure drops again. He quoted me
anywhere around 5k to 10k for a new system. So far I have about 1/2 of
the money saved up for a new system. The one I have now is an Amana 042.
He said it was a cheap system.

I figured the repair and the quote was too expensive and I wouldn't use
that particular company to replace unit. I wasn't too impressed with
Christian Bros. despite the good reviews they have from other customers.

S. Barker wrote:
It shouldn't cost but about 3-4k for a new coil and outdoor unit installed.

They probably want to install a new air handler and furnace, as well,
and maybe even replace some ductwork.

s


"jthread" wrote in message
...

"Red Green" wrote in message
...

"jthread" wrote in news:fYVbk.192363$SV4.155483
:


"Red Green" wrote in message
.. .

JackpipE wrote in news:9bf42cd7-45a7-4dfa-9dde-
:


I just had AC service done last week and the technician said that
there were no freon in the system at all. As far as I know frean
doesn't just disapper and since it worked fine last summer there must
be a leak. So he added 8lb and the system works fine but I noticed
some kind of white sludge on a plastic cover of my basement window
next to the copper freon pipe. Here is a pictures of what it looks
like: http://e-pixel.net/freon.jpg
Is that the place of my possible leak?

Jack

Out of curiosity:

8lb at ? per lb? If unknown, what was total bill?

What's your approx location?

Was it R22 or 410A?

I paid $236.45 for 4.5lbs R22

Austin TX


Just for the R22 itself? Not including service call, check this & that?
Appreciate the response but question it because I find it odd they would
charge an oddball abmont of $52.54/lb.

No problem:

This is the way the bill reads

Diagnostic Analysis: $65.00
4.5lbs R22 1st lb 75.42 each lb after that 46.03: $236.45
Total: $301.45

Desc. of work: Found unit low on R22 ref charged unit w/4.5 lbs. Checked
for leak outside and found no leak. Leak most likely in evap coil.

Recommendation: Get ready to replace system.

Bill finished.

The tech told me it wasn't worth spending a lot of time on it as it's just
money down the drain. He said R22 has gone through the roof and I should
have the system replaced when the pressure drops again. He quoted me
anywhere around 5k to 10k for a new system. So far I have about 1/2 of
the money saved up for a new system. The one I have now is an Amana 042.
He said it was a cheap system.

I figured the repair and the quote was too expensive and I wouldn't use
that particular company to replace unit. I wasn't too impressed with
Christian Bros. despite the good reviews they have from other customers.





--
The e-mail address in our reply-to line is reversed in an attempt to
minimize spam. Our true address is of the form .

jthread wrote:

"Red Green" wrote in message
...
"jthread" wrote in news:fYVbk.192363$SV4.155483
@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net:


"Red Green" wrote in message
...
JackpipE wrote in news:9bf42cd7-45a7-4dfa-9dde-
:

I just had AC service done last week and the technician said that
there were no freon in the system at all. As far as I know frean
doesn't just disapper and since it worked fine last summer there must
be a leak. So he added 8lb and the system works fine but I noticed
some kind of white sludge on a plastic cover of my basement window
next to the copper freon pipe. Here is a pictures of what it looks
like: http://e-pixel.net/freon.jpg
Is that the place of my possible leak?

Jack

Out of curiosity:

8lb at ? per lb? If unknown, what was total bill?

What's your approx location?

Was it R22 or 410A?

I paid $236.45 for 4.5lbs R22

Austin TX


Just for the R22 itself? Not including service call, check this & that?
Appreciate the response but question it because I find it odd they would
charge an oddball abmont of $52.54/lb.

No problem:

This is the way the bill reads

Diagnostic Analysis: $65.00
4.5lbs R22 1st lb 75.42 each lb after that 46.03: $236.45
Total: $301.45

Desc. of work: Found unit low on R22 ref charged unit w/4.5 lbs. Checked
for leak outside and found no leak. Leak most likely in evap coil.

Recommendation: Get ready to replace system.

Bill finished.

The tech told me it wasn't worth spending a lot of time on it as it's
just money down the drain. He said R22 has gone through the roof and I
should have the system replaced when the pressure drops again. He quoted
me anywhere around 5k to 10k for a new system. So far I have about 1/2
of the money saved up for a new system. The one I have now is an Amana
042. He said it was a cheap system.

I figured the repair and the quote was too expensive and I wouldn't use
that particular company to replace unit. I wasn't too impressed with
Christian Bros. despite the good reviews they have from other customers.
Hi,
How old is the unit? Ever cleaned or inspected evaporator coil?
If it's old, it is good idea to replace it.

Couple weeks ago, I was quoted $198 for 30 pounds at my parts house.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


"Ralph Mowery" wrote in message
m...


Was that for a service call plus the r22 ?

I have not priced the r22 in many years. Think I gave about $ 70 for a 20
or 30 lb container of it. Must have been about 10 years ago.

What is the current price for r22 in a container ?

Sounds like a good way to calculate the mark up.

Thing is, that HVAC companies have a lot of expenses that don't get itemized
in the bill. Gasoline, insurance, wages, etc. It's not like you walk into
the store and ask the butcher for a pound of R-22 and slice it thin. We come
to you, in a gasoline drinking van full of heavy tools.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


"Red Green" wrote in message
...

This is the way the bill reads

Diagnostic Analysis: $65.00
4.5lbs R22 1st lb 75.42 each lb after that 46.03: $236.45
Total: $301.45

Desc. of work: Found unit low on R22 ref charged unit w/4.5 lbs.
Checked for leak outside and found no leak. Leak most likely in evap
coil.

Recommendation: Get ready to replace system.

Bill finished.

The tech told me it wasn't worth spending a lot of time on it as it's
just money down the drain. He said R22 has gone through the roof and I
should have the system replaced when the pressure drops again. He
quoted me anywhere around 5k to 10k for a new system. So far I have
about 1/2 of the money saved up for a new system. The one I have now
is an Amana 042. He said it was a cheap system.

I figured the repair and the quote was too expensive and I wouldn't
use that particular company to replace unit. I wasn't too impressed
with Christian Bros. despite the good reviews they have from other
customers.


Well, we often feel repairs & quotes are too expensive in many arenas..

but...

1st lb 75.42 each lb after that 46.03

WTF? Like they pay more for the 1st lb when they buy it?! All adds get hit
with the first lb premium. 75*30=$2,250. Can you imagine? They can get up
to that much out of a 30lb can. I'd say they are a ripoff.

I'd think the guy shoulda put a vacuum pump out, and remove the air. And
then ought have checked for leaks. To lose the entire charge over the
winter, there's gotta be a leak.

Also, eight pounds? Must be a big system. Most central AC near me use five
to six pounds.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


"JackpipE" wrote in message
...
I just had AC service done last week and the technician said that
there were no freon in the system at all. As far as I know frean
doesn't just disapper and since it worked fine last summer there must
be a leak. So he added 8lb and the system works fine but I noticed
some kind of white sludge on a plastic cover of my basement window
next to the copper freon pipe. Here is a pictures of what it looks
like: http://e-pixel.net/freon.jpg
Is that the place of my possible leak?

Jack

Stormin Mormon wrote:
I'd think the guy shoulda put a vacuum pump out, and remove the air.
And then ought have checked for leaks. To lose the entire charge over
the winter, there's gotta be a leak.

Also, eight pounds? Must be a big system. Most central AC near me
use five to six pounds.

"Professionals" on house calls measure differently.

i had a similar problem , my sight glass was leaking on 15 YEAR
OLD SYSTEM. 5 companies were willing to add freon, suggested a new
system ,and were unwilling to repair the leak. i fixed it myself by
removing the sightglass and connected line without it.i vacumed it and
filled with r22 ...been working for 7 years. most companies now are
ripoff artists thanks to freon regulation.. lucas

----------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.minibite.com/america/malone.htm

JackpipE wrote:
I just had AC service done last week and the technician said that
there were no freon in the system at all. As far as I know frean
doesn't just disapper and since it worked fine last summer there must
be a leak. So he added 8lb and the system works fine but I noticed
some kind of white sludge on a plastic cover of my basement window
next to the copper freon pipe. Here is a pictures of what it looks
like: http://e-pixel.net/freon.jpg
Is that the place of my possible leak?

Jack

What surprised me is that they found your system empty and they didn't
replace the liq. line drier.
If you find a system that low on refrigerant you would change the drier and
put the system in vacuum then charge the system plus making sure there is a
low pressure switch in the system so it will shut down if you run low again.
--
Moe Jones
http://www.MoeJones.info

I paid $375 for 8lb and the service.
The guy told me that he can't look for the leak yet as he just put the
freon in and he can come back next week to look for it. After reading
some of your comments, I guess I'll call the company and ask them to
come and look for the leak at no charge since they didn't do it the
first time.

JackpipE wrote:
I paid $375 for 8lb and the service.
The guy told me that he can't look for the leak yet as he just put the
freon in and he can come back next week to look for it. After reading
some of your comments, I guess I'll call the company and ask them to
come and look for the leak at no charge since they didn't do it the
first time.

The difficulty he's trying to avoid is that unless it's huge and
immediately obvious visually the sniffer is so sensitive that it's
overwhelmed by traces of the fill process. Waiting a while lets that
disperse and tracking the actual leak(s) is much easier then w/o the
false positive indications...

--

"Stormin Mormon" wrote in message
...
Couple weeks ago, I was quoted $198 for 30 pounds at my parts house.



Thanks, that sounds more like what I thought the cost should be. About 15
years ago I had a house that would loose enough r22 on a central air system
to freeze up once a year. After two years I bought a 30 lb container for
about what a service call was, somewhere around $ 70. I put some in and
checked the connections (screw together for the lines) and did not have to
add any more after that. Still had almost all of the container.
Bought another house and the 20+year old heatpump went out. Put in a new
Train unit. Had a choice of the r22 or the newer refrigerant system.
Decided to stay with the r22 as I have it in my head that had been around
for many years and it runs at less pressure so maybe it would last longer.

I just did not think the r22 had gone up like the r12. Years ago it was
about a dollar a pound can and later after the band it was about $ 18. Not
sure what it is now or if they even sell it. Think I still have about 6
cans I bought for $ 9 each, but nothing to put it in now.

"JackpipE" wrote in message
...
I paid $375 for 8lb and the service.
The guy told me that he can't look for the leak yet as he just put the
freon in and he can come back next week to look for it. After reading
some of your comments, I guess I'll call the company and ask them to
come and look for the leak at no charge since they didn't do it the
first time.


He should have been able to look for the leak as soon as he added the freon.
There are several kinds of detectors. One is like a propane torch with a
rubber hose on it that you move the hose around and if it picks up freon,
the flame will change colors. Very old way, been around for over 75 years.
There is an ultrasonic probe that will pick up the sound of the leak. Also
is an electronic probe that will indicate a leak sort of like the old torch
detector but uses an electronic element instead of a flame.
All of the detectors will operate just as soon as the freon is added and the
unit is started.

I don't think I would pay for another service call just for finding a leak
as it should have been done the first time.

"Tony Hwang" wrote in message
news:ipZbk.60228$Jx.21223@pd7urf1no...
jthread wrote:

"Red Green" wrote in message
...
"jthread" wrote in news:fYVbk.192363$SV4.155483
@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net:


"Red Green" wrote in message
...
JackpipE wrote in news:9bf42cd7-45a7-4dfa-9dde-
:

I just had AC service done last week and the technician said that
there were no freon in the system at all. As far as I know frean
doesn't just disapper and since it worked fine last summer there must
be a leak. So he added 8lb and the system works fine but I noticed
some kind of white sludge on a plastic cover of my basement window
next to the copper freon pipe. Here is a pictures of what it looks
like: http://e-pixel.net/freon.jpg
Is that the place of my possible leak?

Jack

Out of curiosity:

8lb at ? per lb? If unknown, what was total bill?

What's your approx location?

Was it R22 or 410A?

I paid $236.45 for 4.5lbs R22

Austin TX


Just for the R22 itself? Not including service call, check this & that?
Appreciate the response but question it because I find it odd they would
charge an oddball abmont of $52.54/lb.

No problem:

This is the way the bill reads

Diagnostic Analysis: $65.00
4.5lbs R22 1st lb 75.42 each lb after that 46.03: $236.45
Total: $301.45

Desc. of work: Found unit low on R22 ref charged unit w/4.5 lbs. Checked
for leak outside and found no leak. Leak most likely in evap coil.

Recommendation: Get ready to replace system.

Bill finished.

The tech told me it wasn't worth spending a lot of time on it as it's
just money down the drain. He said R22 has gone through the roof and I
should have the system replaced when the pressure drops again. He quoted
me anywhere around 5k to 10k for a new system. So far I have about 1/2
of the money saved up for a new system. The one I have now is an Amana
042. He said it was a cheap system.

I figured the repair and the quote was too expensive and I wouldn't use
that particular company to replace unit. I wasn't too impressed with
Christian Bros. despite the good reviews they have from other customers.
Hi,
How old is the unit? Ever cleaned or inspected evaporator coil?
If it's old, it is good idea to replace it.

What. The system or the coil?

"JackpipE" wrote in message
...
I paid $375 for 8lb and the service.
The guy told me that he can't look for the leak yet as he just put the
freon in and he can come back next week to look for it. After reading
some of your comments, I guess I'll call the company and ask them to
come and look for the leak at no charge since they didn't do it the
first time.


On mine the tech checked the outside coils and fittings but said the evap
coil is a waste of time considering the system is so old. If there is an
inside leak the system should be replaced. I'm not defending it. That's what
he told me. Personally I feel a bit taken advantage of but I still don't
know.

"Stormin Mormon" wrote in message
...
Sounds like a good way to calculate the mark up.

Thing is, that HVAC companies have a lot of expenses that don't get
itemized
in the bill. Gasoline, insurance, wages, etc. It's not like you walk into
the store and ask the butcher for a pound of R-22 and slice it thin. We
come
to you, in a gasoline drinking van full of heavy tools.


I hope you're not being serious. I found one place that will send 30lbs R22
to my house for $198. I'm new to this type of A/C being from the SW but I
learn quickly. I'll be damned If I'll ever pay that kind of mark up again.
That company is going to have to explain what the hell is going on. The tech
told me the prices are going through the roof for R22. Sounds like he
exaggerated to me.

http://www.refrigerant.net/

http://www.epa.gov/Ozone/title6/phas...2phaseout.html

I'm getting my grill heated up right now.

jthread wrote:

"Tony Hwang" wrote in message
news:ipZbk.60228$Jx.21223@pd7urf1no...
jthread wrote:

"Red Green" wrote in message
...
"jthread" wrote in news:fYVbk.192363$SV4.155483
@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net:


"Red Green" wrote in message
...
JackpipE wrote in news:9bf42cd7-45a7-4dfa-9dde-
:

I just had AC service done last week and the technician said that
there were no freon in the system at all. As far as I know frean
doesn't just disapper and since it worked fine last summer there
must
be a leak. So he added 8lb and the system works fine but I noticed
some kind of white sludge on a plastic cover of my basement window
next to the copper freon pipe. Here is a pictures of what it looks
like: http://e-pixel.net/freon.jpg
Is that the place of my possible leak?

Jack

Out of curiosity:

8lb at ? per lb? If unknown, what was total bill?

What's your approx location?

Was it R22 or 410A?

I paid $236.45 for 4.5lbs R22

Austin TX


Just for the R22 itself? Not including service call, check this & that?
Appreciate the response but question it because I find it odd they
would
charge an oddball abmont of $52.54/lb.

No problem:

This is the way the bill reads

Diagnostic Analysis: $65.00
4.5lbs R22 1st lb 75.42 each lb after that 46.03: $236.45
Total: $301.45

Desc. of work: Found unit low on R22 ref charged unit w/4.5 lbs.
Checked for leak outside and found no leak. Leak most likely in evap
coil.

Recommendation: Get ready to replace system.

Bill finished.

The tech told me it wasn't worth spending a lot of time on it as it's
just money down the drain. He said R22 has gone through the roof and
I should have the system replaced when the pressure drops again. He
quoted me anywhere around 5k to 10k for a new system. So far I have
about 1/2 of the money saved up for a new system. The one I have now
is an Amana 042. He said it was a cheap system.

I figured the repair and the quote was too expensive and I wouldn't
use that particular company to replace unit. I wasn't too impressed
with Christian Bros. despite the good reviews they have from other
customers.
Hi,
How old is the unit? Ever cleaned or inspected evaporator coil?
If it's old, it is good idea to replace it.

What. The system or the coil?
Hi,
Whole system with better SEER but if it's not that old, coil may be
dirty or leak may be from there. Today's techs don't like jobs taking
too much time like looking/checking for leak. If it loses freon again,
you can pressure test it and then find where the leak is if test fails.
I have bro.-in-law who is in the business(BIG commercial contractor)
when I need dhelp he sends out a tech we can trust.

JackpipE wrote:
I paid $375 for 8lb and the service.
The guy told me that he can't look for the leak yet as he just put the
freon in and he can come back next week to look for it. After reading
some of your comments, I guess I'll call the company and ask them to
come and look for the leak at no charge since they didn't do it the
first time.

You have to remember what time of the day it is and what work load he has. I
know from experience that when you craw into an attic in the heat of the day
it can kill a technician also if he has allot of other customers he had to
worry about having the time to get to them.
I have also temporary fixed systems and came back at a better time to
completely finish the job.
I tell you that the labor is about the same it has been for a number of
years but not the parts. To give you an example a couple of years ago you
could find R-22 at the wholesale price of $40 and today you are looking at
around $200. So now you have to figure the cost of replacement and figure in
the loss plus what profit you need to stay in business.


--
Moe Jones
http://www.MoeJones.info

"Moe Jones" wrote in message
...
JackpipE wrote:
I paid $375 for 8lb and the service.
The guy told me that he can't look for the leak yet as he just put the
freon in and he can come back next week to look for it. After reading
some of your comments, I guess I'll call the company and ask them to
come and look for the leak at no charge since they didn't do it the
first time.

You have to remember what time of the day it is and what work load he has.
I know from experience that when you craw into an attic in the heat of the
day it can kill a technician also if he has allot of other customers he
had to worry about having the time to get to them.
I have also temporary fixed systems and came back at a better time to
completely finish the job.
I tell you that the labor is about the same it has been for a number of
years but not the parts. To give you an example a couple of years ago you
could find R-22 at the wholesale price of $40 and today you are looking at
around $200. So now you have to figure the cost of replacement and figure
in the loss plus what profit you need to stay in business.


--
Moe Jones
http://www.MoeJones.info


Again. According to the EPA it doesn't require a 1000% markup on R22. It's a
scare tactic used to screw homemoaners.

http://www.epa.gov/Ozone/title6/phas...2phaseout.html

Tony Hwang wrote:
jthread wrote:

"Red Green" wrote in message
...
"jthread" wrote in news:fYVbk.192363$SV4.155483
@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net:


"Red Green" wrote in message
...
JackpipE wrote in news:9bf42cd7-45a7-4dfa-9dde-
:

I just had AC service done last week and the technician said that
there were no freon in the system at all. As far as I know frean
doesn't just disapper and since it worked fine last summer there must
be a leak. So he added 8lb and the system works fine but I noticed
some kind of white sludge on a plastic cover of my basement window
next to the copper freon pipe. Here is a pictures of what it looks
like: http://e-pixel.net/freon.jpg
Is that the place of my possible leak?

Jack

Out of curiosity:

8lb at ? per lb? If unknown, what was total bill?

What's your approx location?

Was it R22 or 410A?

I paid $236.45 for 4.5lbs R22

Austin TX


Just for the R22 itself? Not including service call, check this & that?
Appreciate the response but question it because I find it odd they would
charge an oddball abmont of $52.54/lb.

No problem:

This is the way the bill reads

Diagnostic Analysis: $65.00
4.5lbs R22 1st lb 75.42 each lb after that 46.03: $236.45
Total: $301.45

Desc. of work: Found unit low on R22 ref charged unit w/4.5 lbs.
Checked for leak outside and found no leak. Leak most likely in evap
coil.

Recommendation: Get ready to replace system.

Bill finished.

The tech told me it wasn't worth spending a lot of time on it as it's
just money down the drain. He said R22 has gone through the roof and I
should have the system replaced when the pressure drops again. He
quoted me anywhere around 5k to 10k for a new system. So far I have
about 1/2 of the money saved up for a new system. The one I have now
is an Amana 042. He said it was a cheap system.

I figured the repair and the quote was too expensive and I wouldn't
use that particular company to replace unit. I wasn't too impressed
with Christian Bros. despite the good reviews they have from other
customers.
Hi,
How old is the unit? Ever cleaned or inspected evaporator coil?
If it's old, it is good idea to replace it.

Sure is. BTW, good for who?

No charge?

What a laugh.

The guy will likely need to spend hours to check for ALL of the
leaks (Don't assume there is only one leak) and then there is the
repairs and replacements. Your Free service could and should cost you
a grand or more after he is finished.



On Sun, 6 Jul 2008 06:29:57 -0700 (PDT), JackpipE
wrote:

I paid $375 for 8lb and the service.
The guy told me that he can't look for the leak yet as he just put the
freon in and he can come back next week to look for it. After reading
some of your comments, I guess I'll call the company and ask them to
come and look for the leak at no charge since they didn't do it the
first time.

A serious leak like that should be detectable within a minute or so of
adding freon. I'm with you, this is a follow up, what the guy shoulda done
the first time.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


"JackpipE" wrote in message
...
I paid $375 for 8lb and the service.
The guy told me that he can't look for the leak yet as he just put the
freon in and he can come back next week to look for it. After reading
some of your comments, I guess I'll call the company and ask them to
come and look for the leak at no charge since they didn't do it the
first time.

Only near where he put the gages on. The indoors should be beepable
immediately. And give the outdoors a chance to clear.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


"dpb" wrote in message ...

The difficulty he's trying to avoid is that unless it's huge and
immediately obvious visually the sniffer is so sensitive that it's
overwhelmed by traces of the fill process. Waiting a while lets that
disperse and tracking the actual leak(s) is much easier then w/o the
false positive indications...

--

The old "little cans" of R-12 sometimes can still be found. I have a couple
in my refrigerator. Reminds me, I've got a call to work on some R-12
equipment at a restaurant, here's my chance to get rid of them. Nothing is
made with R-12 any more.

I'd offer to buy them from you except that we're probably too far away.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


"Ralph Mowery" wrote in message
m...

"Stormin Mormon" wrote in message
...
Couple weeks ago, I was quoted $198 for 30 pounds at my parts house.



Thanks, that sounds more like what I thought the cost should be. About 15
years ago I had a house that would loose enough r22 on a central air system
to freeze up once a year. After two years I bought a 30 lb container for
about what a service call was, somewhere around $ 70. I put some in and
checked the connections (screw together for the lines) and did not have to
add any more after that. Still had almost all of the container.
Bought another house and the 20+year old heatpump went out. Put in a new
Train unit. Had a choice of the r22 or the newer refrigerant system.
Decided to stay with the r22 as I have it in my head that had been around
for many years and it runs at less pressure so maybe it would last longer.

I just did not think the r22 had gone up like the r12. Years ago it was
about a dollar a pound can and later after the band it was about $ 18. Not
sure what it is now or if they even sell it. Think I still have about 6
cans I bought for $ 9 each, but nothing to put it in now.

On Sat, 5 Jul 2008 16:42:18 -0700 (PDT), JackpipE
wrote:


Quick sniff it up your nose so you don't waste it.
I just had AC service done last week and the technician said that
there were no freon in the system at all. As far as I know frean
doesn't just disapper and since it worked fine last summer there must
be a leak. So he added 8lb and the system works fine but I noticed
some kind of white sludge on a plastic cover of my basement window
next to the copper freon pipe. Here is a pictures of what it looks
like: http://e-pixel.net/freon.jpg
Is that the place of my possible leak?

Jack

--
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http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/

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'Some days, it's just not worth chewing through the restraints.'
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