We did, too.

Weird situation, actually. Maybe someone can weigh in. Back in March 2015, I was low on freon. I had assumed it to be a slow leak back then, so I called a place to get some freon reloaded, thinking it would get me through the summer.

Around late June, freon was low again. I called a local company to go ahead and quote me a new condenser coil. The owner and I actually communicated by text with model info, pricing etc. I agreed to have it done, but he wasn't available until a day I would be out of town. So -- kudos to this owner by the way -- he gave me freon to get me through the week before my trip. His quoted price for the coil included freon anyway, and the plan was I'd have him do the install when I got back.

Day after I returned, early July, I texted the owner that I'm back from my trip and ready to get the coil. He responded "did you have fun?" to which I replied that I did have fun. No other communication for over a month after that.

Come late August, I texted him again, telling him that my last leak was fast, and I noticed that my lately AC was working all day to cool the house (indicating that maybe the freon is getting a little low again). His response: "that's just the record heat. My AC has been working hard too." Not a word since then. The AC took us to around September/October, and by then we didn't need it as much anyway. But we're back to square one, freon's gone.

As flaky as the situation sounds, ultimately this guy gave me freon that he has not charged me for, as it was meant to be part of the coil installation. He also seems to have a good reputation. I kind of figured he was up to his elbows in work and just didn't have time to do it, and it eventually slipped by him.

My dilemma, I guess, is that I know I should call him again before spring, because the AC won't get through it on just another freon recharge. But I'm wondering if he even remembers that he gave me freon. Do I pay him for it, even though it's his fault?

This post was edited on 2/10/16 at 5:46 pm