Had my AC guy out and he is suggesting my AC is nearing the end of its life. It's a 2013 unit, and their thought is it was so poorly installed that it's failing (maybe slowly).

The comments were: "Noticed when checking, refrigerant that refrigerant has high acid smell, recommend preparing to replace the equipment as soon as possible, evaporator coil most likely will have a refrigerant leak very soon if it does not already."

There were two suggested pathways that they said to start thinking about:

First path is the repair to keep the system running: Estimated cost was ~$550

1. Chemically clean, evaporator coil in place, horizontal box
2. Chemically clean condensor coil

He had some other items, that I wouldn't consider.

Second path is full replacement:

Option 1: Just under $11k
Install 15.2 SEER2 4 Ton Amana Complete System:

Includes condenser, gas furnace, evaporator coil, R410A TXV, supply air plenum, return air plenum, transition, 10x10 access door, secondary drain pan, safety float switch, PVC Tee and ball valve, double wall gas vent pipe, 3ft gas flex line, gas pipe clean out tee and cap, 20x25x5 media filter cabinet, Ultralite Condenser pad, UV rated pipe insulation, electrical disconnect box, electric whip, compressor saver and a Kool Guard 2 surge protector. -We will also run an extra return air to increase/even out airflow for entire home.

***10 Year Parts Warranty***
***2 Year Labor Warranty***

Option 2: Just under $9k

Install a 14.3 SEER2 Amana condenser and evaporator coil with R410a TXV. In addition to the equipment, we will also install a new secondary drain pan, safety float switch, PVC Tee and ball valve, UV rated pipe insulation and an Ultralite condenser pad. ***10 Year Parts Warranty*** ***1 Year Labor Warranty***

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Anything above raising red flags?

I've been texting with the main guy I worked with for years and he thinks they can continue to maintain the system, but that the annual visit for some sort of issue related to the initial install will likely continue.

As an example, they had to come unclogged the drainage pipes that had debri in it and one of the main connectors was stripped and shorting on the unit which likely burned out a compressor.

I haven't looked into AC's before, so trying to get up to speed if this is a path we want to go.

where are you located? I'm not an a/c expert but can definitely recommend someone in FW that will shoot your straight, if you're in the area.

Yeah…i don't believe it preemptively replacing equipment like that. It either works or it doesn't. When it doesn't, then get it replaced or repaired.

My old AC company had a tech that was awesome but he would sell things every time and he would waste a lot of time. The same company serviced my FIL units as well. This guy had both of us as accounts. My FIL unit went out and the company gave him estimates to replace and they were stupid high, when my FIL declined to replace, the owner of the company said "well, that's your decision but if we don't get the job to replace your unit, we aren't going to service your daughter/son in laws anymore either."


So we both got new AC companies that day. It pissed me off. Who runs business like that?

Not a HVAC guy here but even our "affordable" heat pumps lasted 20 years, no matter what quality of install/maintenace came around. So 2013+20=2033 in your case.

High acid smell could be burning fluid like oil but usually a refrigerant leak or ????

I vote for option #4 and agree with others previous "get another opinon" b/c these three don't seem solid enough and very limited, e.g. Amana rates pretty low on the Consumer Reports chart.

Look at the top brands, search licensed dealers in your zip code, filter out the low review ratings, then schedule a visit, giving them details of your woes so that they send out the best tech to serve all that.
Verify that 4-tons is ideal, ask for system deals/sales and what an annual maintenance contract entails.

Post your results here to gain better opinons/votes?


BTW I hung onto my last system SO LONG that I paid in repairs over 70% of it's initial/first costs, soooo THAT was not wise - no crystal ball in hand .... just sayin'

What brand is the existing hvac equipment ?

JP76 said:

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What brand is the existing hvac equipment ?

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Currently it's Lennox.

PlanoAg98 said:

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Lots of HVAC companies are sales people who make their money off new units. I have 2 very old units. 5 years ago a very large company here in DFW came out to provide a HVAC yearly tune up/inspection. They stated that I should replace both AC units and redo the duct work at an estimate of ~ $50K. I got another company to come out. They said the duct work looks OK and don't replace the AC units until they fail.

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This is kind of what I think is going on.

The AC company is family owned, and the son is typically who services my AC and is pretty honest and straight forward. Half the time, he wouldn't charge me for coming out if it was something minor.

This time, he sent a new employee they hired and it's this guy that recommended all the new work.

When I texted with the son, he said the dude knew his stuff and was a solid AC guy. He did say he'd personally come out in a couple months to give the system another look in time for summer to make sure it was going ok. He's not pressured me to get a new system and thinks the current one will continue to work, albeit with consistent maintenance probably being needed.

My house was a flip when I bought it, and I do think they didn't optimize the AC system particularly well, and they certainly did do some shoddy work that this AC company has fixed.

There are some legitmate things we'd need to consider doing to improve things (such as fix airflow in one of my kids rooms where it's either too hot or too cold).

He did also quote me an American Standard unit, at about $1500 more than the other brand.

Beckdiesel03 said:

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I have a 22 yo unit and I have had several companies out over the years for small repairs or just maintenance. They ALL said wait until it fails to replace. I would fire anyone that tried to sell me something when that is not the reason I had them out there in the first place. Last year, I could tell the tech was struggling and worried about telling me that my unit might not survive much longer. When he finally got it out I just laughed and was like no joke man, we know we are on borrowed time!

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Same, 2002 unit. It just keeps going.

Going to ride with it til the end.

Had an 18 year old unit original to a house. Did some renos and told my wife all I wanted was a new AC. Got it all scheduled for replacement on a Monday. Came home from the lake that Sunday night to a dead AC. Perfect timing!

Quote:

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I knew of a shady contractor who would drive through nice, but slightly older neighborhoods (old AC systems) on warm days in the spring or fall. He would walk up to the unit, flip off the breaker, then go knock on the door. Tell the home owner that he saw that there was smoke coming out of their unit and ask if they could get it to turn on from the thermostat. Of course, the unit has no power and can't turn on. He'd offer to replace the unit.

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This wasn't HVAC, but I had ADT come out about activating some existing equipment in my house when I first bought it. The guy was trying REAL hard to sell me on a cellular backup that came with a hefty install fee and an extra $20/month subscription fee. His line was that thieves were known to cut phones lines, so it was very important that we sign up for it.

No kidding, the very next day my phone line was cut while I was at work. I asked my neighbors if they saw anyone at my house while I was gone and they said ADT stopped by for a few minutes. The MF came by and cut my phone lines.

Now that's bold.

Wow.