Question:
have had three service calls to my home in the last 9 months to
service the air conditioning compressor (the unit outside the house).
The problem has been freon leaks. Two leaks have been found and
supposedly fixed. The unit is 14 years old and is a Bryant. I suspect
the unit will have to be replaced before I get rid of my problems. Can
someone give me an idea of the cost of a new compressor, or any
suggestions?
Answer:
At 14 years you are running to the end of your unit's life anyway. Think
seriously about replacing it soon. Replace the entire unit, not just the
compressor. Modern units are more efficient and use modern refrigerants.
They are shipped pressurized with inert gas, so you know that when it
arrives at your home none of the coils have any leaks.
It's kind of typical for copper pipe that when it pops a leak, it will
continue to do so forever until it is replaced. The only exception is
when the leak was made by external means, like hitting it with a lawn
implement. You want to replace the whole external condensing unit,
not just the compressor, which is the black "tin can" inside the
condensing unit. You didn't say what size you have, but $1000 - $1250
would be a fair price in most parts of the country.
