A/C Question - Leaking Evaporator Coil

[KCUnited]

As the thread title states, the evaporator coil is leaking and needs replaced. They had to order a new coil from the manufacturer and it could take 5-7 business days. The a/c guy filled my refrigerant yesterday (for free) after diagnosing the leak. However, the first time they came out they tried to use a sealant, filled the refrigerant and it completely leaked out within 4 days and I had to wait another 5 days without any a/c to schedule them to come back out.

Is it possible to conserve the refrigerant that's currently in there by keeping my thermostat up high, limiting the time its running? Or is it leaking whether it's running or not? I know I'll likely still have to go a few days without a/c until the new coil arrives, but I'm trying to lessen that number as much as possible. It can touch low 90's inside during peak afternoon without a/c in here.

[ScareCrowe]

Originally Posted by lewdog

50 gallon Whirlpool gas water heater, this time last year, for $960 installed out the door through Lowe's.

Unless it's a power vent unit. Those can easily be $900 just for the heater

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Rheem-Per...36U0/204318425

[TrebMaxx]

I had my gas water heater replaced for under $600 earlier this year.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Bugeater

I have been thinking about a mini split for a room that was added on to the end of my house since the existing ductwork cannot efficiently cool it in the summer. They are kinda pricey just for a supplemental system though.

I have a 1 ton LG ductless mini split in my studio and it freaking rocks.

I bought it for $1,333 dollars, with all of the necessary accessories, online from goductless.com. Installation (which you can obviously do) is the tricky part because most installers won't touch it unless you buy it from them. Fortunately, my guy did it for $800.00.

[BWillie]

Originally Posted by lewdog

50 gallon Whirlpool gas water heater, this time last year, for $960 installed out the door through Lowe's.

Now I know to use the big box stores for a water heater next time.

[Chief Roundup]

Originally Posted by KCUnited

As life would have it, the 5 year warranty expired in May.

That is bullshit. They should have offered to do it under warranty when they first found the leak. I would be talking to the owner of the business and the manufacturer of the unit.

Originally Posted by Bugeater

That does suck. I'd be going out and buying a window unit.

A lot of companies of loaner window units for just this type of situation as well.
I am with Bug here. At least be able to sleep in comfort.

[Bugeater]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

I have a 1 ton LG ductless mini split in my studio and it freaking rocks.

I bought it for $1,333 dollars, with all of the necessary accessories, online from goductless.com. Installation (which you can obviously do) is the tricky part because most installers won't touch it unless you buy it from them. Fortunately, my guy did it for $800.00.

If it involves soldering copper lines I probably wouldn't try it myself. I didn't do particularly well with that when I went to school. It's a lot trickier than sweating water pipes.

[Chief Roundup]

Originally Posted by Bugeater

If it involves soldering copper lines I probably wouldn't try it myself. I didn't do particularly well with that when I went to school. It's a lot trickier than sweating water pipes.

Most mini-splits refrigerant lines us flare fittings instead of silver soldering the lines.

[Bugeater]

Originally Posted by Chief Roundup

Most mini-splits refrigerant lines us flare fittings instead of silver soldering the lines.

I thought the EPA hated those? Or at least that's what I was told in school.

[Chief Roundup]

Originally Posted by Bugjorts

I thought the EPA hated those? Or at least that's what I was told in school.

They are frowned upon but not against the regulations. If installed properly they won't leak without someone doing something they shouldn't be doing anyway. The connectors all have a poly crush gasket ring in them to help insure the seal. I would hate to have to try and solder up the lines on the fan coil unit since everything is a lightweight plastic in those units and since you only have a couple of inches that it will lift off the wall bracket. Putting a shield wouldn't do much to help either.
One of the biggest complaints in the industry according to achrnews was always that homeowners could do the installation without the use of licensed professionals. Vacuum pumps and gauges can be gotten without a license of any type.
It has been a year now since I have been doing this stuff on a regular basis but I still got my subscription to the achrnews magazine and I still visit with a lot of my friends and contacts that are still doing this stuff everyday.
And I am sure you know that family and friends want you to come fix their stuff to save them the cost of a service call and information that they can trust without worry.

[LiveSteam]

Slap some JB Weld around the leak. Trust me. You are qualified.