Subject: Re: Air Conditioning Repair Suggestion
From: Robin Raffel (raffs23@sbcglobal.net)
Date: Wed May 30 2007 - 16:33:39 CDT
what michael was saying about the valve is totally true. i had mine replaced 2 years ago and havent had to put freeon in since. the guys that helped me said that NO ac unit should need to be recharged every summer.
Michael Peterman <m.peterman@gmail.com> wrote: Little bit of an update:
I attempted to call All-Temp again to speak with Sean, I believe, as
referred by Joy. He has yet to return my call.
I contacted Robert who was referred by Dave. Robert is a one-man shop. He
is licensed and insured in Chicago, and is somewhat familiar with the units
on our roof. Robert could not do anything in the way of group discounts
either. He has a $75 flat rate just for showing up. All-temp has a $95
rate just for comparison. A typical A/C recharge will run approximately
$125, not including the $75. That number is based on 5-6lbs of Freon @
$25/lb. Robert stressed this is highly dependent on your proximity to the
roof and the amount of Freon your unit will require. If you live on the
first floor, you will need more Freon since the pipes have a much longer run
than the units on the 7th floor, for example.
Let me preface the next paragraph by stating that I am in no way, shape, or
form qualified in the field of HVAC. I am not responsible for the accuracy
of the following statements. Use them at your own risk.
A/C units in the perfect world, should not need recharging. They need
recharging when the Freon leaks out of various connections or valves, either
naturally, or due to a component failure, pipe failure, etc. Robert noticed
on Dave's unit that the Pressure Relief Valve was leaking. This valve is
required by the City of Chicago on all A/C units for safety. According to
him, 75% of leaking A/C cases he has dealt with are due to failure of this
valve. It is a common failure point in other words. I mention this only
because Dave and another resident had an issue with this valve. It also may
explain why some of you had recharged your A/C the previous year only to
have to do it again the following year.
So if you decide to go on your own, you may want to ask the serviceman to
check this valve.
I have one other pending quote from a referred A/C repair company. I will
contact All-Temp again tomorrow if my call is not returned.
Michael
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