Improper Installation???

[tlc2454]

I have had a home warranty plan with the same company for the entire 15 yrs. I've lived in my home. Recently they dispatched a service tech for my claim that my A/C was blowing warm air. The diagnosis was a restriction in the TXV valve as a result of not having a filter/drier on the freon line. Furthermore, he determined that because there is no filter/drier, the system is "improperly installed" and consequently my repair claim has been denied.

Ironically, the A/C system is exactly as it has been for the entire time I've lived here, and the same company has fulfilled several other claims for service on the system in the past. This includes having a tech come out last summer whose only action to remedy the same problem was to add freon. That tech made no mention, nor has any other tech, of a filter drier. Would other A/C contractors agree that the lack of a filter/drier does indeed indicate an improperly installed system?

[Twilly]

No, a lack of a dryer doesn't mean it was improperly installed

[bulldog11945]

I have had a home warranty plan with the same company for the entire 15 yrs. I've lived in my home. Recently they dispatched a service tech for my claim that my A/C was blowing warm air. The diagnosis was a restriction in the TXV valve as a result of not having a filter/drier on the freon line. Furthermore, he determined that because there is no filter/drier, the system is "improperly installed" and consequently my repair claim has been denied.

Ironically, the A/C system is exactly as it has been for the entire time I've lived here, and the same company has fulfilled several other claims for service on the system in the past. This includes having a tech come out last summer whose only action to remedy the same problem was to add freon. That tech made no mention, nor has any other tech, of a filter drier. Would other A/C contractors agree that the lack of a filter/drier does indeed indicate an improperly installed system?

My Train XL16i failed after 8 months of instal. The installer did not instal a filter / drier.

The servicer who fixed it replaced the TXV valve and installed a filter / drier. He spoke of the problems with TXV if moisture and or grit is allowed to circulate but was not willing to throw the previous intaller under the bus.

I am now having a carrier system installed to replace the Trane. The carriers show the filter / drier in the brochure. It's a standard piece of equiepment.

I'm not answering your question. Just providing my experience as a HO.

[BaldLoonie]

Many brands, including the XL16i, have a built in drier. But even if it didn't denying warranty is horsehockey. Typical warranty plan ripoff.

I hope the company that worked for bulldog pulled out the built in drier. We were on one Thursday where a competitor did a lot of work on a unit, added external liquid & suction driers and beat it. Then when the unit still didn't work, put the pressure on the HO to replace the 5 year old unit. Our diagnosis, the small built in drier they should have removed was plugged up!

[tlc2454]

AHA!!!! Well, surprise, surprise - there is indeed a filter drier inside the condenser. I found it hidden by some leaves on the floor of the condenser. All I had to do to find it was take off the guard on the top of the unit, haul out my wet/dry vac, and voila, a filter drier. You'd think the "professional" would have thought to check inside!!

I'm working hard to hold my temper after having to put up with over a week of triple digit temps inside my home due to someone's incompetency! GRRR, I know my battle with the home warranty co. is not over, but at least I know that they can't weasel out with the "improper installation" loophole now. Right now I'm on hold with them to give them a piece of my mind!!!

Thanks so much for everyone's help. You don't know how much I appreciate you guys for coming to the rescue of a damsel in distress! I'll let you know what the final outcome is.

[Airmechanical]

i hope this turns out for the best

just when i thought i have have heard all the home warranty co. excuses they come up with another one!

glad you used your head to (TRY) to outwit them

let us know what they say



.

[air2spare]

but you do need the filter...in almost every system Ive ever worked on that had a restriction in it didnt have a FILTER/drier. Its kinda like running your car engine w/o a filter, who would do that?

[JLADude]

Absolutely not!!! Many manufactures factory install a filter drier internally. Check really closely you might find one. You will have to look through the top of the unit through the fan blades. Look at the small copper line. It it will end up going into the bottom outdoor coil. If there is a bulge like looking thing in between that is the filter drier.

[second opinion]

My Train XL16i failed after 8 months of instal. The installer did not instal a filter / drier.

The servicer who fixed it replaced the TXV valve and installed a filter / drier. He spoke of the problems with TXV if moisture and or grit is allowed to circulate but was not willing to throw the previous intaller under the bus.

I am now having a carrier system installed to replace the Trane. The carriers show the filter / drier in the brochure. It's a standard piece of equiepment.

I'm not answering your question. Just providing my experience as a HO.

The right bus he would have known that your 16I comes from the factory with dryer installed!

[second opinion]

Absolutely not!!! Many manufactures factory install a filter drier internally. Check really closely you might find one. You will have to look through the top of the unit through the fan blades. Look at the small copper line. It it will end up going into the bottom outdoor coil. If there is a bulge like looking thing in between that is the filter drier.

A muffler in the hot gas discharge!

[bmathews]

I get a kick out of people who have home warranty's. 98% of those complain about it. My advice is to save the $400 or so you pay a year into a high yield money market or credit union acct. Just think after 15 years you would have $6000 plus interest. Then you wouldn't be sitting for a week in the heat. You could dictate what you wanted. That's not including the $50 or so you pay for a service call through the years. These home warranty companies are a rip off, they don't do it to help you. They do it to make money and they're making it, otherwise they wouldn't be in business.

[kj1]

Many brands, including the XL16i, have a built in drier. But even if it didn't denying warranty is horsehockey. Typical warranty plan ripoff.

I hope the company that worked for bulldog pulled out the built in drier. We were on one Thursday where a competitor did a lot of work on a unit, added external liquid & suction driers and beat it. Then when the unit still didn't work, put the pressure on the HO to replace the 5 year old unit. Our diagnosis, the small built in drier they should have removed was plugged up!

I can't even count how many times I've run across systems with the original drier in the unit and another one outside on the liquid line!

[Mr Bill]

I can't even count how many times I've run across systems with the original drier in the unit and another one outside on the liquid line!

Sometimes that could be a good thing as many times I have seen those cheap
internal driers come apart, at least you have a backup.