Home A/C service...

Rich

Rich

Asshole at large
Joined
Mar 17, 2005
Location
Central PA
OK, so the A/C in the house isn't keeping up.. But, I haven't had it serviced since I moved in back in '02, so it's due..no doubt about it.

I would imagine they're gonna pop the side panel off the air handler and vacuum off the condensor core, and check the charge (r-22, isn't it?).

Is this something I could do with a few special tools, instructions, and some common sense? (i.e. pull the disconnect BEFORE ya stick yer hands in there)

Anyone local who does this wanna make a few bucks? Would rather help out one of "our people".

If not, anyone had good prices/experiences IN THE TRIANGLE AREA?

Dual 1.5 ton units, 1700 sq. ft. 2 story house.
 
Funny... I could use the same thing/guy in the Winston Area.

Something about 93+ degrees starts making this an issue, eh?
 
You could prolly do it yourselves real easy .. I used to do some HVAC work and all thats basically involed in a service is to clean the inside coil, outside coil, (i think Lowes sells this stuff) check the freon, (and yes it should be r-22) and thats about the extent of it ,althought they do have these little tricks they do to make it look harder than it is just so you'll call them out and spend that big money to have a "professional" do it ...
 
Welp, gauge manifold is on the way, now to try and find some R22... or something equivalent that doesn't require an EPA permit.
 
Ill tell you what to do, get a home warranty. Wait about a week for it to process, then call them and make a claim ;)

I haggled in a home warranty when I bought my house and have renewed it for years since. It is the single best thing for a homeowner IMO. I pay about $250 a year and everything is covered down to the ceiling fans. So far ive had a new hot water tank, new elements in the heat pump, air exchanger serviced/charged. Its a $50 service fee, but well worth it when something expensive breaks.
 
um.... Bolton Corp:)

My dad sold the resedintial part of the company, im not sure if customer service is what it used to be. I know while my dad had it every employee went through training at Bolton and were up to par, but like i said things could have changed. 861-1500 $80 just to go to the house.
 
Jon - if I buy a house that's more than a few years old, I'll most likely take your advice.
The house was new when I bought it, so it had a warranty, but honestly, this is the first thing to go "wrong" in the 4 years I've been there, so I'm $1000 ahead.

Mike - I'm a cheap bastid. In my eyes, that $80 just paid for the gauges and the refrigerant I need. It would be $80 to just come out, then another $xx for "diagnostics", then another $xx per lb of refrigerant.

I've seen those Bolton trucks before, I wondered if that was your family... cool.
 
Roger Bushee at Techniques Inc

919-362-5256

He's in Apex.

And Rich, you're not cheap. You just don't value your own time.
 
saf-t scissors said:
Roger Bushee at Techniques Inc

919-362-5256

He's in Apex.

And Rich, you're not cheap. You just don't value your own time.
Click to expand...

I left a msg for him to call back.. Do I dare tell him you referred me?

I do value my time, but I'm looking at at least $180 + refrigerant to have someone come out. It will take me 1-2 hours, so yeah, I'm worth $70+ /hr :D
 
I'd be surprised if you'll be able to buy it without a permit. If you are , there really isn't much to checking one, my condensor has a small leak and I just keep some R22 on hand to charge it up once a summer.
 
That's where I'm at a roadblock now, is getting my hands on some refrigerant.. dangit.
 
I may have some r-22 in the shop I will have to check. Probably wouldnt be quiet worth your while to come get it though. I will find out for sure if its 22 or what it is.
 
Rich said:
I left a msg for him to call back.. Do I dare tell him you referred me?
Click to expand...

He's actually never done any work for me.... but he's worked on stuff for just about everybody else that I know.
 
bigtyme said:
You could prolly do it yourselves real easy .. I used to do some HVAC work and all thats basically involed in a service is to clean the inside coil, outside coil, (i think Lowes sells this stuff) check the freon, (and yes it should be r-22) and thats about the extent of it ,althought they do have these little tricks they do to make it look harder than it is just so you'll call them out and spend that big money to have a "professional" do it ...
Click to expand...



are you saying Lowe's sells the stuff to clean the coils?

just a spray on and rinse off, or something similar?

Greg
 
Just for everyones info. If you got R22 and want to give it to Rich, I'd take it to PM. The fines for this kind of thing will buy you a new house. Remember the EPA doesn't answer to anyone and they can make up the amount of the fine on the spot.
 
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