Air Conditioning - Relocation of Air Handler

My house has two A/C units....one for the back half and one for the front. The front handler is in a bizarre location behind a vented door behind the fridge propped on top of the non-vented fireplace pit. If it ever needed to be serviced I thought I'd be in big trouble. I don't even know how they got it in there! Anyway, as luck would have it last hurricane season my compressor blew so I replaced it. The new one runs for a bit and then stops blowing cold air....one of those fly by night installers that seem to always be there until there's a problem. I found out from a tech that it is due to the copper lines not being big enough and it needs new copper. So.....since I'm having to deal with this I would like to move the handler from its current location to a more suitable location in a louvered closet in another room on the complete opposite end of the system. The unit feeds a total of six vents and it could easily (I think) be relocated to this new location without too much hassle. Anyone see any potential problems? Also, to save some moolah can I move the handler myself and have someone do the finishing touches? Looks very straight forward to me except for the copper lines which would need to be replaced anyway. Advice and thoughts would be great!

How many ton is this system? If you only got 6 vents, must not be too large?

You are best to let the pro do the whole job. THey will have to recover the charge before you can move the air handler, so might as well let them do it all.

The new location is going ot use a return duct or going to use the louvered doors?

The unit is a three ton but was a duplex at one point in it's life is why it has the two units. The one I'm referring to cools about 1,200 square feet....it is more than adequate. Not being cheap here but thought I can do the majority of what they are going to do and save myself a buck....and learn some in the process. I clearly don't know about recovering the charge before moving the unit and that is why I posted the thread. I was thinking I'd just release the unit relocate it, reduct it and then call the pros to juice it back up! :) The unit will utilize louvered doors.

It would also depend on how the trunk line was designed. If he can just feed the other end then it may not be too expensive.

But you have to remember that for a system to work properly the duck work is a big part of it.

I would let the pro's do this, as first you need to be EPA certified for the refigeration side, and you have to know duck work for the other.

I clearly don't know about recovering the charge before moving the unit and that is why I posted the thread. I was thinking I'd just release the unit relocate it, reduct it and then call the pros to juice it back up! The unit will utilize louvered doors.

That could cost you $10,000 in fine cause your not EPA.
Get some one to pump it down for you. Then you can move it and rework the duct work. ASk them what size line set you need and you can put that in. Then call the tech back to tie the lines to the coil and condenser pump it down and charge it.

Well, the "pros" don't seem to be doing such a great job now do they! Everytime the "pros" come out the system gets further screwed up with all they claims of greatness.

every company has its incompetetent tech, call a different one. have em come out to pump down the system for you and help you with the new design, then you can cut the lines out, detach is from the electrical and ducting and remount it where you want it, then tie your ducts in and electrical, and have the tech come back to braze in the new lines, leak test, pull a deep vacuum and adjust the charge.

Well, the "pros" don't seem to be doing such a great job now do they! Everytime the "pros" come out the system gets further screwed up with all they claims of greatness.



Your right. Cut the lines release the freon get your door prize of $10,000.00

And do it yourself. Hell you do not need help. You can screw this up good on your own.

You asked for advice you heard it and don't like it.