The warranty on our central heat & air unit (acutally it's a "heat pump"), which was installed in 2001, is about to expire.
We've had a little trouble with it not kicking on and off properly in the past. More freon was added, and they replaced and relocated the thermostat. Since then it's worked better -- but we're still not sure that it's working right.
I read that if freon needs to be added, there is a leak somewhere in system. Is this true? Also, is there anything specifically we should have checked out before the warranty runs out?
Thank-you!
Posts: 36 | Location: Middle of Nowhere, USA | Registered: 06-14-02
YES, refrigerants never just needs to be added or replaced. If refrigerant was added, there may be a leak and should be found before your warranty runs out and it cost YOU to hunt down and repair this leak.
Federal law requires that every effort should be made to find refrigerant leaks no matter what the refrigerant is. R-12, R-22 or the new replacements. (United States Clean Air Act of 1990)
I can tell you from experience, that some companies will add freon to get the system working and not spend the time to find the leak until it is "Your Nickel".
Hope I have helped.
WOW
Posts: 1595 | Location: Cleveland, OH. US of A | Registered: 06-03-02
WOW, thank-you for your answer, it was helpful! It may save me "mucho dinero."
Might I give you a little more background on the unit? On 6/13/02, the repairman added 6 ounces of freon to it.
He's coming out again next week. If he has to add more freon, I'm assuming there must be a leak. They told me that if it is a "lemon" they would replace the unit.
If he finds that the freon is holding, is it likely that there is no leak, but instead that there wasn't enough freon/refrigerant added to the unit from the factory/maker?
Posts: 36 | Location: Middle of Nowhere, USA | Registered: 06-14-02
They are "Universally" charged from the factory. This means that the minimum charge for most applications. If you have a longer then normal run from the evap. coil to the condensing unit, some refrigerant may needed to be added for proper operation. This may have been you case with the first "Top Off".
Before he comes out to check it the next time, look it over for yourself. Look for the signs of a leak which is oil from the compressor around joints. Where there is oil, there is a leak.
Posts: 1595 | Location: Cleveland, OH. US of A | Registered: 06-03-02
With one month between visits it may be a slow enough leak that everything will appear to be fine. After all it took a year +/- for the leak to be found. It could be in the unit or anywhere in the line either high side (pressure)or low. It could also be a low level from the manufacturer as you suggested. If you experience similar problems after the warrenty expires throw a tantrum if need be but don't let them pass the buck to you.
Posts: 2216 | Location: central fl. | Registered: 06-03-02
Oils are miscible in most types of home air conditioning refrigerants. At the point of the leak, the entrained oil will attract dirt. Unless the leak is in the middle of an evaporator or condenser coil bundle - which in the absence of abuse is a factory problem - it should be repaired.
It is common for less experienced mechanics to blame every problem on a need for refrigerant. However, excessive refrigerant in your system can damage components and create high system pressures that result in higher air delivery temperatures or safety shutdowns.
A good mechanic will ensure that a system is properly evacuated (of air) before adding refrigerant. However, s/he will look for other problems as well. Better to fix a problem than to put a band-aid on it.
Good luck - getting kind of hot out there right now!
Posts: 8124 | Location: in the backwoods of North Carolina | Registered: 06-07-02
My husband is a A/C Mechanic and he said all the advice given is real good advice. Especially the fact about the leaks. You should never have to add gas regularly to a system unless it is leaking.
