Should I purchase a new air conditioning unit?

Question

My air conditioning unit came with my house and is now 16 years old. Recently it hasn't been cooling and I had a serviceman clean the coils and add Freon to it. Last year I had to have Freon added to it too, and now it blows but doesn't get cool enough. Is the system old and I should buy another or is the serviceman doing soemthing wrong? You would think he'd tell me I needed a new system but he hasn't. Has anybody dealt with this or know an answer? Thanks.

Answer 1

He hasn't done you any favors AT ALL. If a system loses refrigerant it is because there is a leak which he should have fixed so it didn't leak. Sixteen years is quite an old age for a system. You'd probably get greater efficiency with a new one but don't have the same person do the work. Get a second opinion on the wisdom of replacing the unit.

Answer 2

Your AC tech is probably scamming you. If an AC needs refrigerant , it freezes first. Did your coil freeze? If not, you are getting a bunch of baloney out of this fellow.

Overcharging with freon causes a unit to not cool also. The coldest units are the ones with the LEAST CHARGE OF FREON.

Id get another tech.

It depends, lots of 25 year old Ac's out there just perking along .

Answer 3

if it works after freon is added. look for a oil film, that is where the leak is. usually they leak at the service valves unless the freon lines are compression fittings.did he use a sniffer to check for a leaking spot. some times i never find the leak. after 2 tries i suggest new

Answer 4

some old repair guys are bad for this to get your $$ the seal system in which holds the freon in has gone bad probably was when you moved in if you get a new one go with a whirlpool

Answer 5

A 16 year old system is very inefficient. If you can afford a new unit I would recommend you do so.