So hard to be cool when....

[Jessie]

your AC goes kaput!
We just replaced the downstairs unit last year and noticed the upstairs was not matching the thermostat this summer. Had to keep it lower than usual to be comfortable.
So, we happened to have our annual maintenance on the new unit and had them check the old one.
It was iced up inside and out and 8 leaks were found.
It is 12-13 years old and I've been told that's about all you can expect to get out of them.
They treated us right with discounts and rebates plus brought us a couple of window units for the duration. All at no charge ( although, they'll get theirs with the new install)
I am disappointed with the short longevity of these units but am happy with the CS provided with our new installers.
Just in time for the heat waves soon to arrive.

 

[apollo99]

My house has two units, the serviceman installed a new thermostat last October. He crossed the wires so the heat comes on nullifying the air conditioning. I've been trying to keep it cool with the one unit, but I don't want to over tax it. It's no fun being 100+ out side and 85+ inside. Next time I hear some one tell me it's a dry heat , I'm gonna scream.

 

[Jessie]

Kind of like the dry heat a blow torch puts out.

 

[Ray1970]

Kind of like the dry heat a blow torch puts out.

Yeah. Or an oven.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

A central A/C unit really should last more than 13 years!

I had a apartment complex with Rheem central A/C, when I sold it there were over 50% of the units with completely original units, and about 15% with replaced compressors instead of the whole unit!

My mom had an 75 unit complex with Bryant A/C units, that complex was 5 years older and had a better survival rate!

My dad's complex was 220 units with G.E units. He had a slightly less survival rate. But 13 years was nothing for a A/C Central system.

I did the majority of the A/C work in all three complexes, 8 leaks in a single system indicates poor or negligent installation (or a planed failure, by service people)!

Ivan

 

[Jessie]

I don't know the why about it. The people I use now are not the original installers or the original generic units.
The new ones are Rhudd, which I believe are ok, but even they said 13 years is the average. They carry a 10 year replacement warranty.

 

[pharmer]

Just had service. My guy says the newer (Puron) refrigerants run at a much higher pressure than freon, reducing service life proportionally. Just relaying what he said. Joe

 

[Jessie]

I can believe it. I was told that it's basically a humidity machine. Things rust/corrode. Leaks start and pressure makes those leaks worse. More pressure, more leakage.

 

[Arik]

Yeah it should last longer. Maybe the brand you have isn't know for lasting more than 12 - 13 years.

I don't even remember what I have. I've lived in this house 11 years and the AC was probably about 4 or 5 years old when i moved in. Still working fine. I've been debating on getting a newer bigger one. I've heard that the new ones are work less for same results.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[Steve912]

Just had service. My guy says the newer (Puron) refrigerants run at a much higher pressure than freon, reducing service life proportionally. Just relaying what he said. Joe

That, and there was a period when the new higher-pressure R410A was introduced, and the same build techniques were used for the coils in air handlers (copper tubing with aluminum fins), while the tubing sidewall thickness was reduced to pursue higher SEER ratings. The higher operating pressure & thinner tubing apparently made the evaporator coils more prone to "formicary corrosion", and a lot of air handlers began leaking early. The solution seems to be "all aluminum" air handler coils.