Should we replace our old central A/C unit?

**ladykemma2** · 07-18-2011, 10:21 AM

Originally Posted by GirlBoyGirl

Thanks everyone. I went ahead and scheduled an A/C guy to come. I think it will really help, especially since it has been at LEAST 6 years since the machine has had any service done to it! It was $89 and they provide up to 2 lbs of frion for free and they do clean the coils, too. Is that a good price?

stand there and watch them and make sure they do clean the coils. i have been ripped off by this once. good luck.

**GirlBoyGirl** · 07-18-2011, 10:22 AM

Argh! I just got off the phone with DH and he is INSISTING that it is a giant waste of money. He said he talked to the guys at work and they all agreed. Which is hilarious to me because all he ever does is say what morons he works with so how come all of a sudden they are credible sources of information?! Ugh, stubborn!

**Russ** · 07-18-2011, 10:35 AM

Ok, So you are at an impasse with the hubby.

Why not compromise and you and him clean it? Short of the Freon, you can do everything else, I believe. And quite frankly, if the unit is still cooling your Freon should be ok.

HowStuffWorks "Introduction to How to Repair Central Air Conditioners"

**GirlBoyGirl** · 07-18-2011, 11:01 AM

Thanks, Russ. DH has agreed to clean it himself. Geesh

**Domestic Gal** · 07-18-2011, 12:10 PM

That is a great price.

**Spirit Deer** · 07-18-2011, 12:21 PM

I'd love to get anything done around here for $89. We're at least fifty miles from most service techs, so by the time we pay for their drive time and gas, it gets spendy. Yet another reason I'm grateful for the internet, skills, and a DIY attitude.

Good luck.

**craftypam** · 07-18-2011, 12:37 PM

GBG;
If you are interested I PM'd you some ideas on saving on your electric bill as far as a/c

**GirlBoyGirl** · 07-18-2011, 12:41 PM

Thanks everyone!

**ladykemma2** · 07-18-2011, 12:52 PM

Originally Posted by GirlBoyGirl

Thanks, Russ. DH has agreed to clean it himself. Geesh

i think hubby is making a mistake. when they put the acid on the coils, they remove all the crud and are actually back down to bare metal, no oxidation, no mineral deposits, no dirt. better heat exchange.

perhaps he can learn to do this himself? seems to me i would rather spend money to have someone else do this. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfEfZPvAha4"]‪How to Clean Your Air Conditioner‬‏ - YouTube[/ame]

**Chevelle72** · 10-11-2011, 12:58 AM

GBG, since it's been a while now do you think the maintenance service helped? Our a/c unit is very old too 25 years plus and it's still chugging (the outside condenser unit) No they don't make anything like they used to. We have it serviced yearly too. (80.00) Our service guy says just keep on going till it drops dead. He's hesitant to clean condenser unit to heavily, says dirt might be the only thing holding it together at that age

The only problem I have with waiting till drop dead is it will probably happen on the hottest day of the year and I'll pay a premium price for a new one. I think I might break down and shop this winter.

Anyone have any tips?

**savvy_sniper** · 10-11-2011, 08:18 AM

I replaced our central A/C unit two years ago. It was only 10 years old, but was NOT efficient and too small for the square footage of the house. I cut my electricity usage by 1/3 overall. I cut my summer electricity bills by more than HALF.

I found this link after I replaced the unit and it pretty much right!

Air Conditioning, Central : ENERGY STAR

You should be able to look at the outside unit and see what the SEER rating is. I think our old unit was 10 SEER and the new one is 16 SEER. Also the old unit was not large enough for the house so we went up by 1/2 a ton.

We got a state rebate and $1,500 on our income tax because we put in a high efficiency synced up a/c and furnace.

**TheRootedNomad** · 10-11-2011, 08:39 AM

Originally Posted by ladykemma2

i think hubby is making a mistake. when they put the acid on the coils, they remove all the crud and are actually back down to bare metal, no oxidation, no mineral deposits, no dirt. better heat exchange.

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I know this thread has been bumped and wish I would've seen it before. That said, DH has been in the HVAC service game for a LONG time now. Our house is frequented by other guys who've been in it even longer. Cleaning the coil with acid is nothing more than a very believable sales pitch. Most companies just use your hose and a wire brush if it's REALLY bad. Once you've got it cleaned once just spray it down a couple of times of year for about ....ohhhh .... a minute. (Unless it's sitting where the lawn mower blows grass on it. Then it'll need it more frequently.)

AnnK is right about the duct work. (and she doesn't mean how clean they are) It doesn't matter how good your AC is running if your duct work is not set up to efficiently distribute the air and/or is not insulated. It won't matter what unit is in there.