My AC unit just freaking went to hell

[Crankshaft]

As i am typing my A/C unit just went to hell, had it serviced 3 weeks ago by a friend of the family because the compressor kept tripping the breaker and he informed me that the compressor had too much wear and was on its way out but could not predict how long it would last. He also checked the upstairs unit and said it was a sealed unit therefore could not test much up there, that day he added refrigerant to the system and warned me that i should start saving up for the day when it croaked. 3 weeks later and the g*d d**n blower went out causing my lines to freeze, i called him and he was trying to be helpful and asked me if i was ok with him using a lower quality part on the Trane unit to save me $300, i am furious because by now with the service and this blower replacement i would be close to 1K in band-aids on an old unit that has been giving me problems for 2 years now. I am about to just say F**k it spend about 3k-4k on something i was not expecting so soon but oh well, the pleasures of home ownership.

[sonikaccord]

Texas heat...that sucks. The good think about fixing things on a house versus a car is that it typically adds a bit of value!

[Crankshaft]

I literally just got off the phone with my A/C guy and seems im gonna be dropping $4200-6k by tomorrow.

[Crankshaft]

Texas heat...that sucks. The good think about fixing things on a house versus a car is that it typically adds a bit of value!

Yeah man, supposed to be raining tomorrow YET 93 degrees, how is that even possible. My favorite though is rain with sunshine and a clear sky, still trying to figure that one out

[Jon]

I feel your pain. Seems like when you start to go down that road of band-aiding things it'll cost you $1K.

How old is the unit?

We just had our heatpump serviced earlier this year and it's still running like a top (it's a 30 year old Rheem unit too... just waiting for it to crap out).

[F22Chris]

Try Best Buy for a window unit in the meantime, man. They're cheap, and work really well. I have two for when your situation occurs!

[Crankshaft]

I feel your pain. Seems like when you start to go down that road of band-aiding things it'll cost you $1K.

How old is the unit?

We just had our heatpump serviced earlier this year and it's still running like a top (it's a 30 year old Rheem unit too... just waiting for it to crap out).

Its a 15 year old Trane, top of the line unit too as it was their "super efficient model".

[Crankshaft]

Problem with the window units is that my windows were changed out by the previous owner to 70+ inches tall, yes it was attractive but in this situation it fudges it all up .

My dad suggests changing out the compressor and blower, which comes up to just over a grand and sounds great except i will still have to change it out later and those damn R22 service calls have ran me up about $700 in the past 3 years. I keep thinking if i do the 1k it will just end up being 1k plus the 4-6k down the road.

[F22Chris]

Maybe try to determine the failed part and replace just that? The fan could still have plenty of life in it, and the compressor itself could be the culprit.

If you look at home AC units, it's basically a huge - squareish shaped condenser with a fan that moves the heat out. There are ways around this not costing you upwards of $6,000 for sure if the rest of the unit is in good shape.

If you replace faulty part, you can maybe get your friend to charge it for you?

If it is the compressor, it's a few bolts and copper line brazing right? Or replace the whole thing and pay for convenience, I know how hot it is where you live. That, and things have come a long way in 15 years. Sucks that this shit always seems to happen when you need it most... I'll have an Arizona for you next I'm in town.

[Crankshaft]

Thanks man, I called around and kept getting the same inflated number perhaps because it's hot as crap right now and know I don't have much of an option. He called me back later and told me that he had found a replacement compressor and blower brand new so I might go that route, last night my indoor thermometer read 83 degrees last night and I barely slept due to heat and quote.

[foamypirate]

I feel your pain. Our A/C compressor went out 9 months after we bought our house. $7,000 later, good as new! But we did go for a new high efficiency unit with a new air handler/furnace. Doesn't help that my house uses a 5 ton compressor either... No problems since, knock on wood.

[Crankshaft]

I feel your pain. Our A/C compressor went out 9 months after we bought our house. $7,000 later, good as new! But we did go for a new high efficiency unit with a new air handler/furnace. Doesn't help that my house uses a 5 ton compressor either... No problems since, knock on wood.

This really screwed me; I am the only one working right now, I missed two days this week because of sickness and although I have 13 vacation days available they have decided to not count them as unexcused but not pay me for them either, due to that I am trying to leave and I can't if I'm broke and have no back up $$$. Buy i guess it could be worse though so just keep moving.

[Crankshaft]

Ok guys so the A/C is working now, a new compressor was installed along with a dryer and new blower. I did not want to do it this way but so far things look very promising and my new unit is whisper quiet(i though it was not running until i stepped out there) and i finally got my nest thermostat installed. Now i can save up and hopefully switch to a new job.

[Crankshaft]

Man this Nest thermostats are awesome, not only do they regulate temperature and allow you to monitor from damn near anywhere where your phone has signal but they also control the moisture withing the home by operating the fan inside the home at different intervals. I liked my Electric Agent since i deal with him directly instead of the company and this gizmo was the first freebie i got from him when i moved into the house but did not install it until the day my unit was fixed, i should of had this in mylife for 3 years now

[sonikaccord]

That's pretty cool! I was thinking about a Nest or some type of more advanced thermostat after we replace our furnace with something a bit more modern...our current one is ollllldddddd, like made in the late 70's early 80's old.