Good questions everyone. I'll try to bring you up to speed on this issue. April 2010, this issue (copper line sets) was brought to my attention. Being a Rep. for the VHA I brought it to the attention of the warranty department. For the next 9 months the most the VHA could accomplish is a extended warranty of 5 yrs from house closing. That makes homes built in 2006 near expiration. The problem exists in newer homes and now has been discovered in designer homes (previously patio villas).
The developer is well aware of this and the home warranty department continues to "blow smoke" in my face.
After much soul searching I and another Rep of the VHA decided to hand our research papers over to the POA. If you read the article you will see they wish to pursue a fair rebate to the hundreds of homeowners that have paid hundreds of dollars out of pocket.
IF YOU HAVE HAD PROBLEMS, please fill out the questionaire and send it to the POA. You may have noticed that patio villas now have the AC compressor located along side the villa instead of behind. This is on purpose. They realize that the length of the line is increasing the odds of failure.
ALSO Do not under any circumstances use vinegar to flush the condensate line. The AC copper lines are enclosed in conduit along with the condensate line and IS
NOT PROPERLY SEALED. After digging up 6 abandoned underground lines, we found them sealed with publix shopping bags, pepsi cans, roofing, and bubble wrap. I'm not kidding I have the pictures to prove this. The Vinegar is 5% acid and will seep down to the exit of the copper lines and copper and acid don't get along. DUH !
I actually suggest you extend the condensate line away from the compressor area. Other wise this area is constantly moist.
handie
J-Wharton@comcast.net
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Upstate NY and The Villages-If your not living on the edge, your taking up way too much room."