Freon Leak--How Much$$$$$

[sap1227]

It looks like we have a freon leak in our air conditioner. This will be our first "problem" as home owners. I am sure there is a HUGE range on the cost to fix the problem, but I am just wondering a rough estimate. Of course this would happen during a really hot November, the high tomorrow is supposed to be 88, too hot to not have the air working!

Thanks!!
Christy

 

[Blondie]

Friends of mine just had to pay $800 to fix their freon leak.

Before the EPA changed the law, they'd normally just fill it back up with more freon. Now they can't do that and have to find and fix the leak, resulting in expensive repair bills.

 

[TennVolTony]

Depends on where the leak is. Could be in the lines....could be in the coil itself. If it's the coil it will probably need to be replaced. Depending on the make of the unit..( I work for Carrier) and if it's under warranty or not, it COULD be costly to repair it.

Hope it works out for the best.....

 

[my3kids]

Is it a new unit? Ours had to have freon added after the fact because somehow the installers had forgotten to fill it up when they installed it.

 

[sap1227]

The unit is almost 3 years old and has been working great. Just the last couple days has it been HOT in here. One of the guys DH works with also works on ACs and he is here right now looking at it. Hopefully he will have good news. Thanks for all the insight!

Christy

 

[Blondie]

Is it a new unit? Ours had to have freon added after the fact because somehow the installers had forgotten to fill it up when they installed it.

The exact same thing happened to us! We had just built this house, then left for WDW. We left the AC on 74, but while we were gone it was extremely hot, and the AC ran round the clock for a week! Obviously the house never cooled down because THERE WAS NO FREON IN THE UNIT!

You don't even want to know how high our electric bill was that month!

Live and learn.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Under 5 years, very likely still on warranty. Good luck, stay cool.

 

[my3kids]

Blondie....I KNOW how high your bill was because that is how we figured out our problem! Ours was during winter heating season, but surprisingly, the freon is crucial to keeping the right temp., whatever that temp. is. I feel your pain!!!!

 

[sap1227]

Well, he just left. He called and our unit only had a 1 year warranty (ones installed in 2002 have a 5 year warranty, of course ours was installed in 2001). There are leaks in the coil. He is going to fix it for us tomorrow for $550. It could be worse, but it is still an added expense we were not expecting. Thats life!!

Thanks again for all the input!
Christy

 

[TennVolTony]

Sounds like a pretty good deal . Is he gonna replace the coil or repair it??

 

[sap1227]

He is replacing it, it can not be repaired (according to him, and we trust him). Thanks for reminding me we are getting a deal, it makes it a little easier to swallow.

Christy

 

[Dan Murphy]

If not under warranty, that does sound good as Tony said. Hope you guys are cool soon.

 

[TennVolTony]

Good.....to do a "repair" on a coil is just a temporary fix until a new coil can be put in. Glad he is replacing it and he is giving you a deal.