Coil leak - What to do?

[tom34diy]

Hello. If any of you experts have a minute to look at our situation and make recommedations, I'd really appreciate it. Our house is 10 years old (so is A/C) and the upstairs unit apparently has a leaking coil. I have attached a few pics of the outside unit and the parts in the attic. I wonder if there are any changes that should be made to the current set up when we buy a new coil and/or entire unit. The upstairs is about 1200sq. feet with four bedrooms and two baths. I believe the unit is a 2-ton. I guess my main questions are (1) whether to just replace the coil and (2) whether to replace the entire A/C and (3) whether something should be done differently with the set up in the attic as it is? A year or two ago a tech said they do not make the coil for the unit (or set up) that the builder had installed, so I guess modifications will have to be made. Also, I read that R22 is being phased out so I guess that plays into our decision. Thanks for any help. Tom

[tinknocker service tech]

pictures did not come through

being ten years old and most likely builder grade as long as moneys alow replace the entire system. Explain any cooling problems you may have as far as rooms go so this can be addressed also and rectified

if moneies are tight then replace the coil and as time goes by tou can do the outside later as long as the coil is rated for high seer.

[tom34diy]

I can see the pics on this forum from my computer, but maybe the moderators will not let me post pics for some reason. Anyway, the set up is that the furnace in the attic is laying down sideways and the A/C is attached to the end of the furnace unit in the center of the attic. Other than the A/C for the upstairs running way too long to get the air down a degree or two in the upstairs rooms, there are no other problems. This problem was fixed before by someone adding freon. In 10 years, we have never added anything to the bottom unit, and I am tired of dealing with the upstairs unit. Thanks again for any input. I really wish the pics would come through. Tom

[marlboroman]

After seeing the pictures, does the coil have any kind of support straps on it?

You can get another coil for that unit.. RUDD makes a plenum coil in 410A and R22... Since they are phasing 22 out, then look at a 410 coil and change the outside unit to 410A as well.. then furnace will be fine, as long as you match the air flow. If the furnace has a 3 ton blower in it, you can not put a 5 ton coil on it... So make sure that all matches... Just cause you have a RuDD furnace doesn't mean the rest has to be RUDD... It is nice to have a matching system though.

I don't know what region your located in but here in the south 2 ton for 1200sqft will not work... The unit would never cool...

O yea, If I were you I would have a bigger secondary pan under that... it looks like it is close to edge of the coil...

[I_bend_metal]

What are your comfort goals?? Do you wanna keep throwing money into a system that is 10 - 12 years old or maybe get something new....maybe something that is alot more efficient and will save you money in the long term...and maybe something with a nice parts and labor warranty so you will be worry free for quite a long time????

[troyorr]

Regardless of which direction you go, make sure someone fixes the hazard at the furnace. I don't know if you are on LP but that copper line needs to be removed from the hole in the cabinet. Have pipe black pipe run out of the unit. Then connect to the regulator. Personally, I'd have a load calculation run on the second floor. Since I'm not familiar with your location and house construction, I won't say a two ton is to small, but I would suspect your upper floor was warmer in the summer then you liked. Also probably experienced colder winter temperatrures. Just have the calculation done so you get the size you need, neither to large or small, you won't prematurly damage the equipment or spend more on utilities then necessary

[tom34diy]

Thanks everyone for taking the time to reply. We are in the south, and the upstairs does seem to be too hard to keep cool. Our first floor is the same square footage as the second, and it has a bigger unit, maybe 2.5 ton. It seems to me the top floor would require the bigger unit in a house, if the floors are the same size. Anyway, if we go with more than just adding freon again, I will definitely have a calculation done to ensure we get a big enough unit this time. Thanks again for the input. Tom

[edward301]

If you are in the south, 2 tons in not enough for proper cooling, unless
you have a very efficient home, very few windows, and short ceilings.

That is a good unit Ruud makes, I would find the leak, and repair leak,
if leak is in coil replace coil. Ruud/Rheem still makes a replacement coil
for these units. I installed one a week ago for someone, with r22.

[tom34diy]

edward301, thanks for suggesting just the coil replacement, which may be the way to go. But, I imagine the technician who comes might suggest an entire A/C replacement since R22 is being phased out. So, one last question. If they replace the coil, then in a few years the compressor goes out, will I still be able to get a compressor that I can use R22 in, or will I have to get a new coil or entire A/C then? I just want to plan ahead a little here. Thanks. Tom

[platchford]

edward301, thanks for suggesting just the coil replacement, which may be the way to go. But, I imagine the technician who comes might suggest an entire A/C replacement since R22 is being phased out. So, one last question. If they replace the coil, then in a few years the compressor goes out, will I still be able to get a compressor that I can use R22 in, or will I have to get a new coil or entire A/C then? I just want to plan ahead a little here. Thanks. Tom

It's quite likely you would still be able to get a compressor that can use R22. IMO the phasing out of R22 is not necessarily a reason to get a whole new system. If your system remains sealed as it should then you shouldn't need any freon in the future... of course as you have experienced leaks can and occasionally do occur.

I didn't notice any insulation on the ducts in the attic? Are they insulated? They certainly should be insulated. If they are not then that would have an affect on your cooling performance and could be one of the reasons you feel the upstairs is not cooled properly.

[tom34diy]

platchford, I never considered adding insulation to cover the ducts since I assumed they are pre-insulated inside the shiny outside. If it is recommended to cover them in insulation, I will give that a try. Thanks for the tip. Tom