[griffedi]

We lost cooling in our upstairs system last week-end
(Goodman GSH140361 with AEPF303616 air handler). Called the company that installed it in July 2007 and a service tech came out late Monday and said that it had lost a little R-22 which he added. It was cool outside that night so unit did not run much or at all. Next day we were gone all day and came home to no cooling upstairs.
He returned today to inform me that the coil had been leaking (which he noted was obvious after coming out of the attic where the coil rsides- although no such notation was made when he was up there on Monday)

My questions as a person needing to not spend any more than is necessary:

1) Should a four year old coil be leaking?

2) IS it possible that the charge added on Monday adversely affected the coil (as in overcharge or similar)? Again, since no indication was given on Monday that the coil was leaking

3) I saw a service bulliten from Goodman (SR-034) indicating that the Heat pump and air handler used were not properly matched and were causing issues with High pressure switch tripping. Could this mis-match have shortened the life of the coil??

4) It appears the coil may be under warranty but I will likely have to pay labor and recharge. What should that be?

My question implying that overcharging may be at fault is not mean to insult the profession but as with any profession including my own, there are the good people and the not so good people. In these times of wondering if and when the next paycheck is coming, I like to be as sure as I can that I am on a path to smart use of the money I have.

thanks in advance
Grifftr3

 

[JJboy]

We lost cooling in our upstairs system last week-end
(Goodman GSH140361 with AEPF303616 air handler). Called the company that installed it in July 2007 and a service tech came out late Monday and said that it had lost a little R-22 which he added. It was cool outside that night so unit did not run much or at all. Next day we were gone all day and came home to no cooling upstairs.
He returned today to inform me that the coil had been leaking (which he noted was obvious after coming out of the attic where the coil rsides- although no such notation was made when he was up there on Monday)

My questions as a person needing to not spend any more than is necessary:

1) Should a four year old coil be leaking?

2) IS it possible that the charge added on Monday adversely affected the coil (as in overcharge or similar)? Again, since no indication was given on Monday that the coil was leaking

3) I saw a service bulliten from Goodman (SR-034) indicating that the Heat pump and air handler used were not properly matched and were causing issues with High pressure switch tripping. Could this mis-match have shortened the life of the coil??

4) It appears the coil may be under warranty but I will likely have to pay labor and recharge. What should that be?

My question implying that overcharging may be at fault is not mean to insult the profession but as with any profession including my own, there are the good people and the not so good people. In these times of wondering if and when the next paycheck is coming, I like to be as sure as I can that I am on a path to smart use of the money I have.

thanks in advance
Grifftr3

1 - Yes, It can be a manufacturing problem or installation.
2- No
3- This apply only when there is a difference between and Evap Condenser. Not your case.
4- Need to do leak test with N2. The leak could be on lineset welding.

Overcharge will damage the compressor.

 

[clocert]

Everything you said here are normal. Most AC tech assume you have a very small leak at the begining and refilling with r-22 may hold for a long time (at least 1 year or longer), so they don't even check for leak the first time. now if you call them back in a day or two, they know you have a big leak, that is when he go up and down to search for leaks. In your case he found a leak in the coil. If you don't trust him, you should go up there to see the coil yourself, some oil spots indicate leaks. On the other hand, you may think if they have to add more r-22 into the syste, there must be a leak somewhere, why don't they try to find the leak first ? they should, but not every tech do that. because small leak is very hard to find, they may spend 2, 3 hours and found nothing, and they can not bill you for that time. so in most cases, they won't waste their time unless there is a big leak. Yes, coil can have problem in 4 years. No, the charge won't damage your coil, if it is under warranty, the labor and r-22 may cost you $300 to $500 depends on where you live. Good luck to you.

 

[griffedi]

Thanks for the concise replies. I feel better now knowing that I am not in an unusual situation.

One follow up curiosity question: How much training and tools would one need to service their own HVAC (I would not seek to gain enough knowledge to do professionally but seeing as I am a DIY'er in the area of auto repair and general appliance repair, I would love to know how to do replacement parts and recharging of refrigerant in units already installed.

Thanks again

 

[beenthere]

We lost cooling in our upstairs system last week-end
(Goodman GSH140361 with AEPF303616 air handler). Called the company that installed it in July 2007 and a service tech came out late Monday and said that it had lost a little R-22 which he added. It was cool outside that night so unit did not run much or at all. Next day we were gone all day and came home to no cooling upstairs.
He returned today to inform me that the coil had been leaking (which he noted was obvious after coming out of the attic where the coil rsides- although no such notation was made when he was up there on Monday)

My questions as a person needing to not spend any more than is necessary:

1) Should a four year old coil be leaking?

No, but many manufacturers have had problems with their coils for the last 4 to 5 years. mostluy because of having to use thinner walls to get the required efficiency.

2) IS it possible that the charge added on Monday adversely affected the coil (as in overcharge or similar)? Again, since no indication was given on Monday that the coil was leaking

You could over fill the system by 200% and still not harm the indoor coil in cooling mode. The tech probably just didn't do a good leak check the first time. The leak was already there, or you wouldn't have been low in the first place. B ut, you should ask them to check to make sure that no other area is leaking, like the outdoor coil.

3) I saw a service bulliten from Goodman (SR-034) indicating that the Heat pump and air handler used were not properly matched and were causing issues with High pressure switch tripping. Could this mis-match have shortened the life of the coil??

No, the indoor coils are suppose to be able to withstand far more pressure then the high pressure switch's trip setting is.

4) It appears the coil may be under warranty but I will likely have to pay labor and recharge. What should that be?

Varies by accessibility to the coil, the area your in, and company. Could be 600, or 1400. Get them to give you a quote before you approve the change out.

My question implying that overcharging may be at fault is not mean to insult the profession but as with any profession including my own, there are the good people and the not so good people. In these times of wondering if and when the next paycheck is coming, I like to be as sure as I can that I am on a path to smart use of the money I have.

thanks in advance
Grifftr3

The tech should have explained to you that he didn't see the/a leak on his initial visit, but that you do have a leak. And that you can opt to have a full leak check done, or just a gas and go, with no guaranty how long before enough leaked out again that you would have no cooling again. It was his poor communications if any to you that caused you to wonder. Not your fault, but his.

 

[beenthere]

As for how much you would have to learn. Quite a bit. Since many things can give similar symptoms, but be caused by something totally different.

But, you may wish to pursue some night classes, and give it a try. Heck, You could end up deciding to change professions.