Anyone know about Air Conditioners? Mine is only 4 years old and they're telling me the coil is bad...?

Question

Is that right? Can that happen, or am I just being taken?

My house is just under 4 years old, and on Sunday the air wasn't cooling, except at night. It hovered around 83 degrees, then it got hotter during the day.

The repair guy put some more freon in there for "temporary cooling", but I wonder if it just needed freon to begin with and that's why it froze up. He said that the freon will leak out again, and it will get hot again in the next few days or whatever. He said it won't hold a charge until the coil is replaced.

I don't know much about AC's--it is a 3 ton unit.

Should I spend $1500 to have the coil replaced, or should I pay another $65 to have someone else see if the coil truly is bad?

Your opinion is appreciated! :)

Answer 1

well if it is under 4 years old or only 4 years old the coil is still under warrenty and u should only have to pay for the cost of the labor to istall a new one but the coil could be stopped up he should have cleaned them with some coil cleaner but i would get a second opion from another company beacause if he just put some freon in it then it sounds like he wasnt doing his job beacuse a stopped up coil can cause low preasures i am a hvac tech

Answer 2

Your question is unclear as to which coil you are talking about. If your complete system is only 4 years old, then I would get a second opinion. Unless you have caused some type of mechanical damage to the coils, the unit should last 10 years.

Having said that, there are two parts to your AC system....both have coils. The expansion coils are where the freon is expanded with warm air from the house, and this is where the air is cooled. The external coils are always outside the house and are part of the compressor assembly. These coils are on the back of or surrounding the compressor and are where the heat from the house is removed with the fan motor on the compressor box.

Freon can leak out over time and once every four years between freon charges is not unreasonable.

I would definately get a second or even a third opinion before I buy a new system. And for sure, you don't want to replace just part of the external or outside unit. If the coils on the outside unit are bad, then you need to buy the new compressor as well. If you are going to replace the outside unit, I would recommend an Admiral unit. They are slightly more expensive, but very good.

Answer 3

Bad Coil, bad coil. You sit in a corner until you're good.

Er, bad tech, bad tech, you stay away and I'll get someone who can actually fix the problem.

If you have a leak in the coil, it is a bugger to fix. Most techs will opt to replace the whole thing, as fins have to be cut out, and it ends up looking quite ugly, but it can be done. It should not cost as much as a new coil either. Way less, just time and a stick of silver solder. If it is on the indoor coil, the tech will say words that you shouldn't let children hear, but he will fix it and be gone and you'll have cool air once again.

Have done what Bubba recommends, prior to laying out cash for a new coil.

The other recommendations for contacting the company to see if the unit is under warranty is a good start. Write down the make, model and serial number and contact the company directly, or their authorized dealer in your area.

Keep Kool

Answer 4

I have seen it all and it sounds like you may want another opinion. An "A" coil is about $400 and the labor is not that much depending on where the furnace is located.

You may save $1000 bucks or so by calling another serviceman. It sounds to me like you just have a freon leak.

If you need more info I do except email.

Answer 5

Check your warranty. Warranties vary by brand of equipment. See if you are covered on a 4 year old unit.
Coils can go out prematurely if you have hard wate or if it was not installed properly.
Personally I would have another company check the unit out even if it means paying the $65.00 fee.
Are you contacting the same company that installed it?

Answer 6

he probably knows what he's talking about, that will happen. it may be cheaper to buy a new ac unit depending on the brand you buy. i prefer carrier or bryant..isnt the coil under warranty if its only 4 years old???? most units have at least a 5 year warranty

Answer 7

The best way, is to just wait and see if the house gets warm again. If it does, Then he is right, Time for a new coil. If the house stays cool, then he was wrong.........

Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!