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I should replace this AC system, right?

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WalnutFarmer
WalnutFarmer Member Posts: 50
in A-C, Heat Pumps & Refrigeration

We have a central ac system that is coming up on 30 years old. Had it checked recently and it is down more than a lb of R22. House is in central CT, so relatively short cooling season. No one has tried to locate the leak yet.

My gut and brain are telling me it's time to bite the bullet and replace the system, but my wallet doesn't like the thought of spending up to $10k for something that is otherwise still working.

Is it worth trying to repair and nurse this thing along? Is that good money after bad?

Please share you're wisdom!

Comments

  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 7,124

    Only 1 # short. I question the tech on site. Di he say it was time to replace?


    90% of the contractors are sales oriented.

    weed through the mine field and find someone you can trust.

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 16,962

    If you can find the leak it will probably not leak after you fix it. A new system is likely to leak out of the box or after a couple years. If you can keep on top of keeping things clean and painted so they don't rust it will last a long time in a climate with a short cooling season. Would be a good idea to test the caps, sometimes the fan motors go bad(oiling the bearings from time to time will help), the sealed system parts usually last a very long time.

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 16,962

    also might be the kind of leak that that will lose a pound over 30 years. if like @pecmsg said it even is low and the issue isn't with the person measuring. If someone keeps hooking up a manifold set to it, the amount in the manifold set will make it a pound low over a decade or 2 of doing that every year.

  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 20,282

    All you need is the right tech to keep it running.

    The reason they can't find the leak is because they won't take the time to look for a leak. In Ct a unit can go 40years is not uncommon.

    The leak could be in the coil where it may not be possible to fix or it could be as simple as a Schrader valve leaking.

    If it was mine, I would look for the leak. A good tech with the right equipment should find a leak within an hour or so.

    Most companied want to sell new equipment so they will not bother looking for leaks.

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