Original message
| mikeinaz
 |  "Proper testing of Home AC Refrigerant"
, posted Wed 30 Jul 18:55  
I recently had my 2 AC condensers checked. The tech connected the gauge and determined a high psi of 240 and 245 in each unit and a low psi of 70 an 65. He said the charge was ok. When he disconnected the hoses, the refrigerant was released into the air. My questions are:
Should I be concerned about the loss of refrigerant from the test hoses, since none was added?
My unit indicates 2.72 kg of R-22. How do I determine what the proper charge should be? The service was to include up to 1 lb. refrigerant. My system is 4 years old. (Trane 2TTR2036A1000AA)
Is it acceptable to release the R-22 into the atmosphere?
I had the feeling the tech really wanted to sell a high priced service contract. Each time I declined the price of the contract was reduced. I was not comfortable buying the contract under the circumstances.
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Replies:
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| farbeondriven
| "Re(1):Proper testing of Home AC Refrigerant" , posted Wed 30 Jul 22:06
i tell my customers to change there air filter and make sure the outdoor coils stay clear and have the system checked about every 2-3 years. a in depth (good service) will include the teck checking the drain pan for slime and the drains also adding some clorene tabs to combat those problems. check the evaporator coil, change air filter , check condenser coils, take supply and return air temps after 10 minutes of running, measure superheat and subcooling , checking compresor amp draw. and most importantly logging everything into a sytem folder that stays with your sytems accesiable to future tecks. its been my expeince that most tecks will not go thru all this and when you have a guy that does, request him every time!!
"if i had my life to do over id be a plumber" Albert Einstein
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| mississippi
| "Re(1):Proper testing of Home AC Refrigerant" , posted Wed 30 Jul 20:19
Refrigerant in the hoses has to go somewhere we can't put it back in the unit.Did the tech check superheat or subcooling along with indoor wetbulb.Those pressures look good but can't be exact without those measurements.Service contracts are a benifit to the homeowner if they are reasonable.
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| pbreazeale
| "Re(1):Proper testing of Home AC Refrigerant" , posted Wed 30 Jul 20:03
That is normal. The EPA refers to that as a, "de minimus" release.
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