a/c

[sepsat13]

my central leaks down every year an i have to recharge an it holds 2.5 lbs of r22 is there any place that i could buy r22 myself an charge my own unit when this happen thanks for any help

[stman]

you have to be licensed to buy it. Have they tested your system for leaks?

[sepsat13]

yes it been tested they say its leaks at the acoil inside my home plus its 20 years old but it works good

[Tubbs]

Pay for the 3 pounds of freon every year or get a new coil..
The coil may be able to be soldered if you can find the leak..

Leaks in coils are sometimes difficult to fix and find, and here's the big... thing.... Depending how assessable that a coil is.
If you can get to it, have your AC guy, or you get a cylinder of nitrogen and load up the ac lines.... you will be able to see or here it depending how much you load it up... I believe we put about 400-700 pounds of pressure on it.. make sure you outside condenser it disconnected.

[stman]

You probably don't want to hear this, but 15-20 years is the average life cycle of a central unit. With all the improvements over the past few years a new unit can save you 20-50% in energy costs depending on the rating of the unit.

[StanW]

Isn't the r22 the same stuff that they use in car acs? If it is you can purchase rechargeable bottles and do it yourself . The automotive product I have seen also contain additives that are supposed...

[stman]

Don't know about Canada Stan, but I suspect that it's the same as the U.S. since they signed the Montreal Protocol. What is bought in auto parts stores is R134.

[pcman888]

You can google hc freons they are in canda and us both ,and you can buy and charge anything with them because they do not harm the ozone.Buy a cylinder of hc-22 it is about $200 us kinda of higher...

[stman]

Note if you use HC, that they do not recommend mixing it with other refrigerants. You would need to remove and reclaim the existing R22 before charging your A/C. HC is also flammable. There are other and safer alternatives too, such as ES22a.

[satchick]

I would recommend finding and repairing the leak(s), as well as replacing the filter/drier (if equipped) since the system is open to the atmosphere. With air and moisture allowed to enter the system,...

[Terryl]

With what they charge for freon now days it would be better to replace the coil, it will pay for it's self in a few years.

[Pollypurabred]

Everything should come into play as in times are really tough. I remember when we had to make a decision on food/heat/AC so course I divorced him. But the same applies now; decided what is best for you and your family.

[sepsat13]

thanks for all replies

[irc_op_killah]

If you replace your existing ac with a new 20+ seer unit you will be much better off if you plan on staying in your house for 5+ years, if you decide that you willmove to vegas next year I would eng a fix and live with the freon fix until you move

[cozumel111]

Here in Mexico,you can still buy freon 12 off the shelf.

[18DD2]

I just had a whole new system installed. Goodman 3.5 ton Heat Pump, (Amazon $1469 shipped) Installation was $500, R22 15lbs $600 System didn't work. Found out my coil was a 3 ton and freezing up so I had to go to a new 3.5 ton coil, so I had a 3.5 ton coil installed. Coil + instillation another $550

Didn't cut a fat hog like I expected at the beginning and talk about expensive, R22 $40 a pound OUCH !@#
But it does keep the house nice and cool now.

[satchick]

I didn't think you could buy a new unit with R-22 anymore...Just about everything is using 410A.

[18DD2]

I didn't think you could buy a new unit with R-22 anymore...Just about everything is using 410A.

You can't they shipped it with nitrogen I believe is what it was. The HVAC guy that installed it, added it when he installed the system.

[Pollypurabred]

I thought that the AC units were charged with 410A and had an added amount to account for 25 Ft of Ncoil tubing. Either way the installer should have evacuated the new system before putting it into...

[aquadave]

22 is the old "household" freon replaced by 410 12 is the old car freon replaced by 134. You have to be licensed to by any in large containers (over 2lb) and you'll find this out after the 1st of the...