Our AC stopped working....and then the fun begins

[Einthewoods]

So, we moved into our current home a year ago after finally escaping the city and getting back to where I grew up. The previous owners of our home were citidiots who used it as a weekend home. They clearly a) didn't care for it as a full time home b)when something did need maintenance they "fixed" things in the most idiotic way Dr Seuss could dream up. This really isn't about all the goofy stuff I have had to undo or redo that they rigged....but it is fresh on my mind after finding new things I could only shake my head at.

The real story is that our AC that we use about ten days a year stopped working a couple of weeks ago so we called a company to come out and look at it. Come to find out it had leaked out its go-go juice and unfortunately it was an old enough unit and used R22. So, it really came down to replacing the unit with a new one.

So, we go from a service call for our AC not working to a new AC unit, new forced air furnace and a new water heater all being moved from our first floor to the basement. Of course this means routing gas and water lines, heating and return ducts and exhaust. Oh, and removing the exhaust through the roof and replacing the metal panels we just had installed in April!

At this point I am wondering how this happened before my eyes and not running away to the pub. We use the AC about ten days a year. Use the furnace maybe 20 days a year (heat with wood during the winter) and the water heater still worked.

During the process of all of this, I was asked (due to the contractor running behind as they are crazy busy right now) if I would run the new electric for the furnace. I guess I was being too nice to them the whole time. Of course I did it.

So, since we moved the furnace and water heater to the basement, my wife sees the now empty utility closet on the first floor as a nice big coat closet. So, off to the hardware I go for the new project of building out a closet.

And worst of all....I didn't even get to buy any new tools for the work which is usually how I justify projects.

I think I am just going to stay in the barn this weekend and hide.

Thanks for reading....just venting.

 

[robbyr]

I can’t even imagine only using a/c ten days a year. We usually turn ours on some time in March and off in October or November. Ours is r-22 also. It had a small leak and got something added to it that’s compatible with r-22. Can’t remember what it’s called. Good luck with your “fixings”.

 

[jaxs]

I can’t even imagine only using a/c ten days a year. We usually turn ours on some time in March and off in October or November.

Then back on 2 weeks later for 1 day,and back on for 3 days between Christmas and New Year. Then there was that Saturday in mid January when I set cooling for 72*,put on my shorts and went fishing. 4pm I was driving back home on icy roads:laughing:

 

[CobyRupert]

10 days?
You can't be slightly warmer or run a fan for 10 days?

You realize air conditioners make the world a hotter place right? Their existence creates the need for more of them. Using humans as their hosts, they've taken on the ability to replicate and multiply, interesting when you think that this fact meets some of the definitions of "life" itself.

 

[zzvyb6]

Well I'm in southeast Michigan. We occasionally run heat in the morning or night and cooling in the afternoon as the weather swings around from a lack of reliable weather forecasting. Weather is "entertainment", not information management.

 

[techman]

R-22 is still available. But it is expensive, but likely cheaper that what you will be paying now. There are also substitutes available for R-22.

Sounds like "I would suggest replacing the AC with a new unit using new freon...while we are at it your furnace should be upgraded...and since you are upgrading the furnace you should consider a new hot water heater..."

In the end you are ready for another mortgage for the upgrades.

Paul

 

[Doofy]

The only Idiot to ever be in my home fixing something has been me. I did have an energy audit done in 1978 and that has been it. The Wife will occasionally want something changed or renewed but nothing of any great expense.

 

[robbyr]

Then back on 2 weeks later for 1 day,and back on for 3 days between Christmas and New Year. Then there was that Saturday in mid January when I set cooling for 72*,put on my shorts and went fishing. 4pm I was driving back home on icy roads:laughing:

Exactly right. I just didn’t feel like elaborating that much.

 

[Einthewoods]

10 days?
You can't be slightly warmer or run a fan for 10 days?

You realize air conditioners make the world a hotter place right? Their existence creates the need for more of them. Using humans as their hosts, they've taken on the ability to replicate and multiply, interesting when you think that this fact meets some of the definitions of "life" itself.

Yep, about ten days the humdity and heat are high enough I finally turn it on. Usually we use the good old fans.

Not sure if you are being serious or not with the speech. So I'll hold back, but you do realize the server hosting this website is in an air conditioned room, right?

 

[Einthewoods]

R-22 is still available. But it is expensive, but likely cheaper that what you will be paying now. There are also substitutes available for R-22.

Sounds like "I would suggest replacing the AC with a new unit using new freon...while we are at it your furnace should be upgraded...and since you are upgrading the furnace you should consider a new hot water heater..."

In the end you are ready for another mortgage for the upgrades.

Paul

It was in the long range plan to move them to the basement, just a loooong way down the plan. I believe he quoted us something like $75 per pound? Regardless, sinking anything substantial into a >20 year old AC condenser just seemed like a waste...especially if it repeated in the next couple of years.

Furnace was of the same vintage and a real energy hog. So, all and all we'll be set on this equipment (hopefully ) for the time I'm still on this planet.