Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post

scout · 07-06-2005, 06:10 PM

I happen to do HVAC-r for a living and if someone wants to charge you 350 dollars to clean your condensor coil you are getting ripped off.

Most air conditioners are put together with either 1/4" or 5/16 " screws. Go to the hardware aand purchase you one of each. You will also be able to use both on your furnace as most furnaces are also put together with one or the other.
Next remove the equipment disconnect bar or turn off the breaker to the condensing unit.
Next hook up your hose and hose the living shit out of the coil. If you have any type of basic household cleaner you can spray it on the coil to remove any residue. Be sure and hose the cleaner off really good then rinse it off again. Spray the hose from the inside out if possible a few times then the other way for awhile.
Next put your covers back on.
Next, roll up your hose.
Next turn your unit back on.
Pretty fuckin' simple. Don't let someone rip you off for 350 dollars to do that.

Depending on where the leak is located is directly related as to how long the refrigerant he added will last. If your leak is at the condensor or in the liquid line then the refrigerant won't last but a few days. If it is in the suction line or evaporator it might last the rest of the year or several years. If anyone wants to charge you 3500 or 4000 dollars for a condensor only you are getting screwed. You should be able to have the furnace, coil, lineset , condensor unit etc. replaced for that amount of money. If not let me know where you live and all your particulars {model #'s and serial #'s etc.} with a couple pics of your layout and I will come change it myself for that plus a few beers LOL.

If you do have a leak and your unit is 20 years old you will probably have to bite some sort of bullet when you sell the house unless you can provide some sort of paperwork where you have had the unit serviced on a regular basis and there is no problems. One thing to keep in mind if you are even considering changing out your A/C unit and can afford it now is the time. Next year your government has mandated that all A/C and heat pump units have a minimum efficiency rating of at least a 13 seer, up from a 10 seer that is required now. What this means to you the consumner is it will add anywhere from 25-50% onto the cost to replace.

Good Luck.

07-06-2005, 06:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
scout Psycho	I happen to do HVAC-r for a living and if someone wants to charge you 350 dollars to clean your condensor coil you are getting ripped off. Most air conditioners are put together with either 1/4" or 5/16 " screws. Go to the hardware aand purchase you one of each. You will also be able to use both on your furnace as most furnaces are also put together with one or the other. Next remove the equipment disconnect bar or turn off the breaker to the condensing unit. Next hook up your hose and hose the living shit out of the coil. If you have any type of basic household cleaner you can spray it on the coil to remove any residue. Be sure and hose the cleaner off really good then rinse it off again. Spray the hose from the inside out if possible a few times then the other way for awhile. Next put your covers back on. Next, roll up your hose. Next turn your unit back on. Pretty fuckin' simple. Don't let someone rip you off for 350 dollars to do that. Depending on where the leak is located is directly related as to how long the refrigerant he added will last. If your leak is at the condensor or in the liquid line then the refrigerant won't last but a few days. If it is in the suction line or evaporator it might last the rest of the year or several years. If anyone wants to charge you 3500 or 4000 dollars for a condensor only you are getting screwed. You should be able to have the furnace, coil, lineset , condensor unit etc. replaced for that amount of money. If not let me know where you live and all your particulars {model #'s and serial #'s etc.} with a couple pics of your layout and I will come change it myself for that plus a few beers LOL. If you do have a leak and your unit is 20 years old you will probably have to bite some sort of bullet when you sell the house unless you can provide some sort of paperwork where you have had the unit serviced on a regular basis and there is no problems. One thing to keep in mind if you are even considering changing out your A/C unit and can afford it now is the time. Next year your government has mandated that all A/C and heat pump units have a minimum efficiency rating of at least a 13 seer, up from a 10 seer that is required now. What this means to you the consumner is it will add anywhere from 25-50% onto the cost to replace. Good Luck.