Cost to charge an AC


I live in a 4 year old condo with central AC. The blower is in my HVAC closet, and the compressor is on the roof.

Yesterday I had my system checked out prior to the start of summer by a service firm that I consider to be reliable. They said that my system is slightly low on refrigerant, and needed a charge of approximately 1 pound.

They estimated that it would cost about $425 to apply this charge. They said that the main reason is that even though my condo is 4 years old, it uses an older type of refrigerent (R22) that is being phased out due to environmental reasons.

This price strikes me as high. Does anyone have some insight or advice in this matter? Thanks in advance.

By benson | 05/07/2009 8:00 AM | Comment

Advice Regarding Abusive Board?


I am seeking advice on how to deal with an abusive Board in my condo. The majority of the members on the Board are owners of what we call “Lower duplexes”. Because of the floor space of these units, they pay a higher proportionate share of the common charges than the simplex units.

Realizing this financial structure, the Board is trying to push more and more responsibility to the individual unit owners for items that rightfully are the charge of the condominium association, according to our by-laws. In this way, we pay for improvements on a per-unit basis, rather than according to the common charge formula of floor space. Hence, the lower duplex owners save money. Effectively, they have shifted the cost basis of our condo.

What options do I have in stopping this abuse? Is there a regulatory agency to which I can go and make the case about this abuse? Thank you in advance for any advice you offer.

Categories: Management
By benson | 01/29/2009 10:24 AM | Comment