re: AC repair help

I got charged $90/pound for refrigerant last week. Ridiculous.

R22 - R12 has been obsolete for a long time.

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Ok.
First step. Let's see if you can fix it for free.

Is your thermostat on? Turn AC on to setting for it to come on.
Have someone next to outside unit to listen to noise. (If any)

If it's totally silent. First check breaker. Second check the condensation overflow switch.
Should be the wires sticking out of the only pvc pipe you see coming from your machine. Remove that switch by pulling up. If water is present and backed up then you just have a clogged condensate line. This us a very common issue.

Now. If the outside unit clicks, hums then clicks off you need a new capacitor. This is a less than $10 part retail at any appliance store.

If the outside unit clicks and then you hear electrical arcing or buzzing you need a contactor which is also an inexpensive part.


Now if the compressor comes on and the fan just hums then everything shuts off you need a new fan.

Lastly it could be low on freon. This is also common and the compressor will not run off its too low or it will run and ice up on the inside. You need a tech for that.

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From my experience, this is at least 90% of anything that could possibly be wrong. And this is exactly why every high school male who isn't suited/ready for college should hit an HVAC course at a vo-tech and start making some damn good money at 18-19 years old. The tools required to troubleshoot an HVAC system could fit in the backseat of a Corolla, residential systems and their parts are all very similar, and the demand in this field is off the charts.

Hell, if nothing else, having the knowledge to work on your own HVAC system will pay for the vo-tech training within the first five years of owning your own house.

Yes R22 is still available. R-12 is extremely rare.

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Be honest I’ve never heard of R12. I’ve heard of 410A or Puron and others but not R12.

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Apparently you have never had to add "Freon" to a 1985 F-Tree Fiddy

or a deep freeze

R134-A is the new R-12 and you can spray it in the ozone without fear of killing the world

Why is someone downvoting capacitor replies? That one is easy to diagnose with a multi-meter and super easy to fix. I couldn't find my last 2 for $10, but close to $20 and you're done. Gotta order it though, not sold in stores unless you are some official Carrier/Goodman/etc. contractor.

In LA, definitely could be the condensation drain clog thing in the evaporator. Been there, nothing like being in the attic when it's hot and your AC isn't working.

Sounds like capacitor. Looks like a silver can under your panel on the outside condenser unit. Let us know when you get it fixed

First does indoor blower work? If yes problem is outside.
There are 2 things going on in outside unit- compressor and fan motor. Both need to be coming on. Easy to see if fan motor works but put your head down low to hear compressor. Discharge air coming off top of unit should be warm to hot and suction line which is larger tubing going into unit should be cold to wet if unit is working probably. If compressor on and cooler air coming off top and suction line not cold, then need refrigerant. Pure Freon 22 can run $100 to $150 per pound. Ask price before come out. Knock off brands can still run $75 to $100 per pound. These are Freon 22 substitutes. If compressor not coming on but fan is, likely a capacitor. This is a $20 part that you will likely be charged $150 plus labor. If compressor is bad, then you will need new unit. Best to upgrade whole system at same time converting to Freon 410a. This can easily run more than 10K. Good luck. If I was local I’d take care of you! Unfortunately not local.