Air Conditioning - Leak in freon
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Kait07
05-22-07, 09:33 AM
Hi! I have an 18 year old system - moved into this house in October 2005. I have Home Warranty and when the system wasnt cooling, I called them and they had a technician come in who charged the system with freon. This year again, I noticed the system wasnt cooling. The Home Warranty sent in a different technician this time and he said that the system didnt have any freon. He has done the nitrogen test and the pressure held for an hour. So he is recharging the system once again with freon.
My question is: since there has to be a minor leak somewhere, does the leaking freon pose a physical threat to my family? Since its an 18 year old system, does it make sense to just change the lines and the coil? How much does it usually cost to have this done?
Appreciate any advice..Kait
My question is: since there has to be a minor leak somewhere, does the leaking freon pose a physical threat to my family? Since its an 18 year old system, does it make sense to just change the lines and the coil? How much does it usually cost to have this done?
Appreciate any advice..Kait
jim-connor
05-22-07, 11:29 AM
At 18 years, the system is close to the end of its life.
A good tech should locate exactly where the leak is. Replacing the lineset and evaporator will do you no good if the leak is in the condenser. In my experience, linesets rarely leak unless someone drives a nail through it. Evaporator coils are the top suspect in my book. But, it must be verified, not replaced on speculation.
IMO, home warranty companies are the pits. They will probably add freon, but don't expect much more. Their repairs are often minimal.
The nitrogen test is good. But it only finds very large leaks and does not tell you exactly where the leak is. I prefer an electronic leak detector or uv dye test or both in some cases. These methods pinpoint the exact location of a leak without a doubt. All techs have their favorite ways for leak detection. Do not be surprised if some else suggests a different method.
A small refrigerant leak does not pose a threat. Some of the kids these days are huffing refrigerant gas from the service valves. This is a problem in some areas and is a dangerous practice. The problem here is lack of oxygen because of the vast amounts inhaled.
Cost will vary depending on location, and whatever needs to be done. Further diagnosis is needed.
A good tech should locate exactly where the leak is. Replacing the lineset and evaporator will do you no good if the leak is in the condenser. In my experience, linesets rarely leak unless someone drives a nail through it. Evaporator coils are the top suspect in my book. But, it must be verified, not replaced on speculation.
IMO, home warranty companies are the pits. They will probably add freon, but don't expect much more. Their repairs are often minimal.
The nitrogen test is good. But it only finds very large leaks and does not tell you exactly where the leak is. I prefer an electronic leak detector or uv dye test or both in some cases. These methods pinpoint the exact location of a leak without a doubt. All techs have their favorite ways for leak detection. Do not be surprised if some else suggests a different method.
A small refrigerant leak does not pose a threat. Some of the kids these days are huffing refrigerant gas from the service valves. This is a problem in some areas and is a dangerous practice. The problem here is lack of oxygen because of the vast amounts inhaled.
Cost will vary depending on location, and whatever needs to be done. Further diagnosis is needed.
mikevsop
05-23-07, 12:00 AM
nitrogen tests are best done by putting isolation gauges on the evap, lineset, & c-coil seperatly and the nitrogen charge left in over night to pinpoint the leak especially on an older unit. That was how I used to do it.
Jarredsdad
05-23-07, 06:24 PM
Jim, I use nitrogen first and dye second.
Mike If used the seperation method twice because dye didn't show up. Ended up the line set in the wall. One with nails one without.
Kait, it's not a minor leak if it leaks down in a year. Forgrt the warranty, call someone who knows his stuff.
Chris
Mike If used the seperation method twice because dye didn't show up. Ended up the line set in the wall. One with nails one without.
Kait, it's not a minor leak if it leaks down in a year. Forgrt the warranty, call someone who knows his stuff.
Chris
Mr Fixit
05-23-07, 07:45 PM
Nitrogen test can be very effective if used in conjunction with a high quality electronic leak detector. A few ounces of R22 and around 300 psig of dry nitrogen will usually unmask even the smallest of leaks. Very effective in that the leak can be identified on the first service call, the drawback is that the system has to be recovered to do this and that takes time adding cost to the service. I would think the most cost effective remedy would be to replace the system I am sure that some knowledgeable tech could find the leak repair it and it would function well for a season or two but the cost may well be 50% of the cost of a entire new unit if they end up replacing the evaporator coil and a 18 year old unit always seem to find a way to continue having problems no matter who services it.
On cost I tell people to figure around $1,000.00 per cooling ton as a rule of thumb, keeping in mind that pricing varies greatly in different areas of the country. 3 quotes from reputable installers in your area will give you the true cost, all jobs are different some are easy some are dang near impossible the tough ones always demand a premium.
On cost I tell people to figure around $1,000.00 per cooling ton as a rule of thumb, keeping in mind that pricing varies greatly in different areas of the country. 3 quotes from reputable installers in your area will give you the true cost, all jobs are different some are easy some are dang near impossible the tough ones always demand a premium.
Jarredsdad
05-24-07, 04:50 PM
Mike has the leak find close.
You have two choices.
1, find someone to find the leak and repaire it, even if the system need to be spilt into 4 pieces and pressure tested to find where the problem is.
As Fixit implied, your headed into nickle and dime land. Meaning what fails next, and next etc..
2, replace the thing with a newer more efficient system. If you go this route the warranty company will want to low ball. Talk to them and see about meeting half way or something on the cost. Get as much money out of them as you can.
Chris
You have two choices.
1, find someone to find the leak and repaire it, even if the system need to be spilt into 4 pieces and pressure tested to find where the problem is.
As Fixit implied, your headed into nickle and dime land. Meaning what fails next, and next etc..
2, replace the thing with a newer more efficient system. If you go this route the warranty company will want to low ball. Talk to them and see about meeting half way or something on the cost. Get as much money out of them as you can.
Chris