What do repair techs do when I have my air conditioned cleaned? Do they add freon ? How much does this cost?

Answer 1

when you have your air conditioner unit cleaned ...the dirt is removed from the coils where the heat is exchanged ...the motors will get lubricated and any bad or burnt wiring should be replaced...your freon will be checked and some might be added if you have a leak...but that would be only reason you would add freon and then you would need to discuss having the leak fixed...this could cost about 200 to 400 dollars to repair a leak...freon is about 10 to 15 dollars a pound for r 22( this is the most common freon used in ac)..the cleaning supplies to clean coils is about 20 to 25 dollars per gallon plus the service call 60 dollars plus labor charges 35 dollars per hour...

Answer 2

To put freon in you have to have a license that is state issued and federally recoginzed. You get this by taking a test and the state that you live in issues you a card. According to EPA and OSHA guidelines the freon must be a certian quality(I think this year the quality will need to be either 455 or 155) The system that you have must be compatabile with this type of freon or you will need to upgrade your system(this is ideally done every 5 to 10 years on the upgrading of systems this is why a new system will usually come with a five year warranty) If you don't have these types of licenses a person can be fined up to 250,000 and or a 10 to 15 year jail term. Freon is sold by the liquid pound and depending upon the type that you get the cost varies from state to state. Also if you do put your own freon in you will have to have what is called a reclaiming unit(this gets the old freon out of your system and empties it out safely while allowing the more updated freon to be put into your system while be enviromental friendly. I would highly suggest that if you don't want to go through all of this red tape(it takes from 6 months to a year plus some money that you may not have to do this)ask around your area if you know of someone who is a very good mechincal person ask them if they were to have this done who would they pick. Ask more than one person and notice which person(s) name comes up the most and ask that person. Talk to people who have used this person and see how they are. Also check where you brought your unit at and ask a sales person or the manager of that store who they would recommend that could do this ask them if they were to have this done who would they feel safe working on their equipment that could work on it according to their guidelines. Also make sure they will recommend a person who will not ride the clock(stall for time)to make their company money. This may cost more in the short term but at the same time ask yourself would you rather pay a little more in the beginning that have to have the same person come back and keep charging you for poor service. Usuallly when a person gets a cheap deal in the front they will pay for it in the long run more than it is worth. Also contact an electrican because at times a electrican will have to wire up an AC unit and he may be able to also do the freon or know of someone who can. Also use the same guidelines as before. Also no joke get a woman techinican or someone who is just starting their business or career out the reason is that they will be wanting to make a name for themselves so that means they will do a better than averange job for you or contact a local trade school or junior college and ask to speak to an ac or electrican instructor they may have a student who is needing some hand on training or know of a student who is just starting out and will want to make a good name for themselves. Talk to more than one find one that you are comfortable with and get a good feeling for. Hope this is useful.

Answer 3

A lot of AC companies offer a maintaince service. They will come out to your house twice a year and check and clean the AC unit in the Spring and in the fall check and clean your furnance. This was running me 129 bucks a year.

I did just develop a leak in my "M" coil and had to have it replaced since it was leaking freon.

I understand that in 2010, DuPont will quit making the R-22 freon and that it will be really expensive. AC guys are now installing new units that contain R410a. This freon is not compatible with the old freon or oils that are in it. So to convert you will need all new equipment. So if you do have to have a part of the unit replaced, you may want to think about just getting the new unit now. good luck.

Answer 4

An A/C tune-up usually costs around $40-$80. They'll add freon if it's needed but you better hope not-- it can be hundreds of dollars per pound.

Answer 5

They should be sure your A coil fins,(located in a box directly on top of an up-draft furnace), are clean, your compressor unit's fins are clean,(outside unit), and should check if your air cond. system has the proper amount of freon in it,(PSI), and isn't cloudy, indicating moisture is in the freon. Do half of them do this?...............

Answer 6

with the different gases used today, i suggest you not fool with the unit yourself and call HVAC services to get it done professionally.
a couple of buck but done safely for your family