I think my home AC is low in Freon but I am not sure

[pdt302AC]

Hi All,

I have new Lenox unit installed in my house in 2007 and having problem ever since. Almost every single year there is problem with the AC unit because I felted like it not produce enough cold air. The contractor guy came out and tighted the nuts and bolts and recharge the freon like 3 times already since the beginning. Now I felt like the AC is not producing cold enough air but not wanting to call the guy again because of the service fee. What can I check so I can be sure that the freon is leaked? I would appreciate all the experts' opinions. Thanks.

[coolwhip]

Not much you can do.....one thing you can do is not run it as to not damage it. Call a different service provider to leak check the system and repair the leak.

[NY2GA01]

Hi All,

I have new Lenox unit installed in my house in 2007 and having problem ever since. Almost every single year there is problem with the AC unit because I felted like it not produce enough cold air. The contractor guy came out and tighted the nuts and bolts and recharge the freon like 3 times already since the beginning. Now I felt like the AC is not producing cold enough air but not wanting to call the guy again because of the service fee. What can I check so I can be sure that the freon is leaked? I would appreciate all the experts' opinions. Thanks.

There are many other reasons why this system is not cooling correctly,

If I was in your position I would do one of two things.

Option one: call the contractor back and ask the guy to wave his fee seeing this is the 4th time hes out there for the same issue.

Option two: bring in a new contractor, show the new person all of your old paper work on past work done to the system, and then explain to them what's going on and why you are not happy with the systems performance and see if they can help you out and find your problem and fix it.

In your position I would go with option two because a new set of eyes is sometimes the best thing.

[timebuilder]

I'd go with option two.

We cannot inspect your system from here where we are, scattered all around, and YOU cannot tell anything where you are, either, because you lack the tools and experience to come to a viable conclusion.

If refrigerant is being added regularly, that means the refrigerant is escaping the system. Only a properly trained and experienced person can determine the cause(s) of your problem(s).

Feel free to let us know how this is resolved. I have very confidence that it CAN be resolved.

[dandyme]

if that thing has been gassed 3 times in 4 years,

you need to have a discussion with the installing contractor, if that falls on deaf ears-go to option 2 and make sure whoever you have check that thing documents what they find real good, then contact Lennox and then a lawyer

sounds like some of the techs I've seen, new system put in, gas up each year, then want to charge homeowner to replace the item that has been leaking since system was installed

good luck getting a favorable resolution to your delima

[dcochran]

There are many other reasons why this system is not cooling correctly,

If I was in your position I would do one of two things.

Option one: call the contractor back and ask the guy to wave his fee seeing this is the 4th time hes out there for the same issue.

Option two: bring in a new contractor, show the new person all of your old paper work on past work done to the system, and then explain to them what's going on and why you are not happy with the systems performance and see if they can help you out and find your problem and fix it.

In your position I would go with option two because a new set of eyes is sometimes the best thing.

Lennox has a five yr parts warrenty, just on parts not labor. If the contractor is charging you for parts that is not rite. good luck.

[pdt302AC]

Thanks folks for all the helping. I guess I need to add more details to my story.

I have 2 Lenox units, one for each floor. The two units were completely not working last year because all the freon were out on both units. Since I have two units so I did not realize one was not working well until both were not working completely. The contractor came out and found out that one unit's coil was rusted from the beginning and leaked the freon. The other he said that was his mistake because he did not tight the bolt so it was partially leaked. He changed the coil on the second unit, tight the bolt on the first unit and gassed them all up again.

So back to today. It's about 86 degree outside (Houston weather). I turned on the first unit for an hour and measure the temperature at the outlet and it read like 86 degree. Called the contractor and he asked me to crank up both units.

Afer First hour of running, 1st unit temp is 86
After another hour of running, 1st unit temp is 83, 2nd unit temp is 79 degree.
After another hour of running, 1st unit temp is 82, 2nd unit temp is 76 degree.
After another hour of running, 1st unit temp is 81, 2nd unit temp is 75 degree.

Called the contractor, and he said that maybe the coil of the first unit is defected from the beginning. and he said the 2nd unit is working fine.

My question to the experts is this: Is 75 degree coming out from the outliet after more than 3 hours of running normal? I appreciate all your opinions so far folk. Thanks.

[timebuilder]

That question would probably require more info than you could provide. We don't know about your duct system, heat load calculations, or other parameters needed in order to say "unit 2 is just fine" or "unit one needs xxx."

My suggestion is still option 2.

[the dangling wrangler]

My question to the experts is this: Is 75 degree coming out from the outliet after more than 3 hours of running normal? I appreciate all your opinions so far folk. Thanks.

Short answer. No. That's not normal.

[dandyme]

Called the contractor and he asked me to crank up both units.

that speaks volumes of your contractor












bad volumes

[dcochran]

Short answer. No. That's not normal.

NO, UNLESS ITS 95 IN THE HOUSE, I WOULD TURN THEM BOTHOF TO PREVENT FURTHER DAMAGE AND CALL FOR A SECOND OPINION.

[nyc]

it should be 20 deg def from outside weather so if its 86 it should b 66 go with option 2

[sgd48843]

Its really time to bring in another contractor. Ask your neighbors & friends who they use for their A/C service. It would be worth the service fee to get a second opinion.