zeitgeist57 Posted February 17, 2012 Report Share Posted February 17, 2012 Hey, can any HVAC specialists on CR confirm this article? If that's the case, I'll seriously schedule a tune-up at my house ASAP to avoid any hike in the fee. KTHX! http://www.crainscleveland.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=framelink&link=www.dispatch.com%2fcontent%2fstories%2fbusiness%2f2012%2f02%2f17%2fyoull-need-cold-cash-to-service-your-air-conditioner.html&oas=www.dispatch.com_content_stories_business_2012_02_17_youll-need-cold-cash-to-service-your-air-conditioner.html I learned last year that a 3-year gap in recharging my home A/C probably cost me a few hundred dollars just in electricity - let alone additional wear/tear on my weakened HVAC system - just to keep up with the summer heat. Preventative maintenance FTW. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmrmnhrm Posted February 17, 2012 Report Share Posted February 17, 2012 If people would just fix the leak, the cost of R-22 wouldn't matter. These things aren't batteries... recharging in a properly installed and maintained HVAC should never be needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattKatz Posted February 17, 2012 Report Share Posted February 17, 2012 Correct, and it's too late for getting in before the cost increase. There was a 300-400% hike in price as of Jan 1 from all suppliers. It's like gas, the cost is directly funneled to consumers. And the above statement is 100% correct...these companies offering "tune-up" charges, are rip off artists. A properly functioning system will Never need any charge....it doesn't go bad, and shouldn't leak out unless there is an issue. This is 100% Fact...this is my field of expertise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeitgeist57 Posted February 17, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2012 Huh. So, the $70-or-so spring tune-up Atlas Butler does doesn't include a freon charge? I could swear it felt cooler all last summer. Maybe it was a placebo effect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmrmnhrm Posted February 17, 2012 Report Share Posted February 17, 2012 Huh. So, the $70-or-so spring tune-up Atlas Butler does doesn't include a freon charge? I could swear it felt cooler all last summer. Maybe it was a placebo effect. Nope, but $70 should cover the labor to make sure the compressor's running properly, the fan isn't stuck, and the condenser coils are clean. Clean coils == efficient HVAC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeitgeist57 Posted February 17, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2012 Nope, but $70 should cover the labor to make sure the compressor's running properly, the fan isn't stuck, and the condenser coils are clean. Clean coils == efficient HVAC. Thanks, Chris! Higher freon cost = 0 Fawkes given. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Draco-REX Posted February 17, 2012 Report Share Posted February 17, 2012 Anyone know if this relates to automotive R-134a? We're currently at low spring pricing, but it would be interesting to know how much I can expect the price to rebound in the next couple months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig71188 Posted February 17, 2012 Report Share Posted February 17, 2012 Anyone know if this relates to automotive R-134a? We're currently at low spring pricing, but it would be interesting to know how much I can expect the price to rebound in the next couple months. Expect it to go up. Manufacturers are going to start to switch capacity to the new R-1234yf ("yf" referring to "your fucked"). With reduced R-134a capacity and no subsequent drop in demand (initially) price is bound to go up. By the way, if you follow such things, the "Old Farmers Almanac" is predicting a HOT summer. Also, beware of "unbrand" chinese R-134a - unless you have an identifier to check it - lots of "sunstitute chemicals" being added to make up 30 lbs of "refrigerant". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattKatz Posted February 17, 2012 Report Share Posted February 17, 2012 R134 isn't being phased out so There is no expected price change. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
copperhead Posted February 17, 2012 Report Share Posted February 17, 2012 Last summer my AC couldn't keep my house under 80 degrees on the hot days, and it was running non stop. Any recommendations as to what I should do or who I should call? Do we have an hvac sponsor? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TurboTank Posted February 18, 2012 Report Share Posted February 18, 2012 from my understanding everyone is switching to r-410a Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rustlestiltskin Posted February 18, 2012 Report Share Posted February 18, 2012 In the Ice merchandiser world where I work within. We have pretty much phased out the use of R-134a and have been using R404 for the last year or 2 in all our ice merchandiser compressors. R22 was old school that we used back in the day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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