HVAC Repair Recommendation

I hope it is an easy and cheap fix for you, Jim.

I stopped using A/C all together. I was told that I should just replace my 2 units with new units that use newer refrigerant because the old, less eco-friendly refrigerant is hard to get and very expensive. Oh yeah and even though both furnaces are running great, that I should also get 2 new furnaces too so that both systems will then be new.
 
jackx said:
I hope it is an easy and cheap fix for you, Jim.
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Thanks, I'm hoping for easy, but it's unlikely to be cheap. I don't own the house, so it's not really me that's paying for it, although it comes out of my rent money, so cheap isn't a huge concern. But I still don't really want to be violated.

My parents are going to swing by with a window unit for me to use in the meantime. Living without a/c is not acceptable.
 
soundz said:
For $40, I'll come to your house and set it on fire for you.
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Nah that's ok. Someone will eventually want my money and return my calls. Or they won't, and I'll live with a window air conditioner like a heathen.
 
jackx said:
I hope it is an easy and cheap fix for you, Jim.

I stopped using A/C all together. I was told that I should just replace my 2 units with new units that use newer refrigerant because the old, less eco-friendly refrigerant is hard to get and very expensive. Oh yeah and even though both furnaces are running great, that I should also get 2 new furnaces too so that both systems will then be new.
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I went the Costco route to replace everything, was still expensive, but much less sticker shock than the competitive bids I got from other HVAC contractors. overall 30% less than others, job was okay but not the best. But they came back to fix what I didn't like quickly, because they don't want to lose their Costco acct which is 50% of their business. Two complete units will run you between $15K to $30K, so not chump change in my wallet at least.
 
It's the deckfore or
Henway.

Or probably a thermistor.
 
Thanks all for the advice and recommendations! A contractor that my dad has worked with in the past recommended a guy, and he stopped in here on his way home from work. He said we were low on refrigerant, and he added more. He said there must be a slow leak somewhere based on that and what I told him, but hopefully we are good for at least a year or two. He suggested that we replace the system as it is ancient, but it sounds like we'll hopefully have some time. It's also possible that this is only a temporary fix and it's going to stop working again, but in the meantime:

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qclabrat said:
I went the Costco route to replace everything, was still expensive, but much less sticker shock than the competitive bids I got from other HVAC contractors. overall 30% less than others, job was okay but not the best. But they came back to fix what I didn't like quickly, because they don't want to lose their Costco acct which is 50% of their business. Two complete units will run you between $15K to $30K, so not chump change in my wallet at least.
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Thanks @qclabrat for the info. Good to know. I figured $22-26K+ for 2 complete systems.
 
jackx said:
What about a contactor?
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So it was working fine yesterday, and then this morning the fan outside was running constantly when the a/c was not on in the house anymore. I checked in the attic and the evaporator coils and pipes were all frozen up. I turned the temp down and the house cooled and the ice all melted. I did some researching and testing, and it must be a dirty, corroded, or faulty contactor. I turned the temp up inside so the a/c would shut off, and the condenser fan outside of course stayed on. I went out there and gave the unit a good whack where I think the contactor is, and the fan immediately shut off. I turned the a/c back on and then off, and the fan again stayed on. It once again shut off when I gave it a good hit, so that's gonna have to be replaced.

ChrisRU said:
Post up or PM me if you find someone you like. I have a condenser fan that runs constantly. I've been using the breaker as an on/off.
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When your a/c reaches temp inside and shuts off, go out to the condenser fan and give it a good whack right above where the two pipes connect to it. If the fans shuts off, you probably need a new contactor switch too. Looks like they are about $10 at Home Depot, and they look pretty easy to replace.
 
The plot thickens. I opened up the condenser unit outside to see what kind of contactor switch I need, and after closing it back up, the fan won't turn on. It also looked unsurprisingly horrendous on the inside. I guess that's what happens when you install a central air conditioning system and let it sit for forty years without any maintenance. Good times.
 
JimN said:
The plot thickens. I opened up the condenser unit outside to see what kind of contactor switch I need, and after closing it back up, the fan won't turn on. It also looked unsurprisingly horrendous on the inside. I guess that's what happens when you install a central air conditioning system and let it sit for forty years without any maintenance. Good times.
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I think it's time, I'll also chip in to set it on fire.
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