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May 7, 2009
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.
Comments
Benson, the deal is that R22 is banned from being manufactured for environmental reasons after 2010. I don't know for sure but probably no one is making it now. Check online. That means that existing stores of R22 are diminishing since they only come from old sources, i.e., recycling (since it is also illegal to discharge any refrigerant into the air all R22 systems that are being dismantled have their refrigerant captured and recycled.)
And as a good conservative, lol, surely you know what happens to the price of goods when demand remains the same while supplies diminish.
I'd wonder out loud to the company about a few things... is there a leak in the system that should be fixed? If this charge will last you five years, seems worth it, but if next year you still have a leak then they'll be back and it will be even more money.
I'd also wonder out loud about a new system using new refrigerant, possibly you could get better equipment than standard developer equipment, more efficient, save some electric.
Finally why not see if anyone else in the condo needs service, maybe do a joint buy.
Posted by: denton at May 7, 2009 4:37 PM
Denton;
THANKS A LOT!!!! This is really good advice.
Yes, I'll have to remind myself of my conservative principles as I shell out the big bucks!
;-)
Posted by: benson at May 8, 2009 8:16 AM
Benson,
The air handler is probably OK, you should check a high efficiency condenser unit as there have been significant advances technologically in the last few years.
Consider the money saved on recharging the existing system as a discount towards the new equipment. You are looking for a higher SEER unit. This will speed up your payback time.
You'll also be treated better by the HVAC contractor, they always prefer doing installs,and you will get the install crew, not the service guys.
Bruce
Posted by: brucef at May 10, 2009 12:25 AM
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