Hey Dude, say it isn't so-Trane AC issues

[Warren Kiefer]

Anyone owning a Trane airconditioner should read every word of my post. This afternoon our airconditioner went kerplunk. Within an hpour after calling my regular airconditioning company, Munns. Within an hour a service man was at my door. Sounds good so far right ??? Anyway, he found the compressor was broken, this is the second time for this to happen. The first compressor lasted 8 years and this second one also went out on the eight year. Munns do not install Trane AC'c any longer. Even though Munns probably have installed 20,000 Trane AC's in the Villages, I find it unreal that they do not have a new compressor in stock. I was told it could take 3 to 4 days to get a replacement compressor. Right now it is 87 degrees in our home and 90% humidity, 3 to 4 days is going to be a long time. The service man said I was lucky thay I had purchased a 10 yr. service agreement. He then lowered the boom that all of us should be aware of, these Trane units use a R22 freon which used to cost just a few dollars per pound. This R22 freon is now about $100 per pound, and the average AC takes about 5 pound. If your calculations are correct, and you own a trane, have a freon leak, you could be out $500 for the freon plus the labor and service call >> OUCH !!!!!

[DDoug]

Dont know where they get their freon but R 22 is currently 59 dollars better get them straight.

[pooh]

Ouch is right, Warren. My brother-in-law works in heating and cooling in CA and they no longer carry Trane. Problems with corrosion and then they crap out. Of course this doesn't happen for a while. New systems made with different metals are available so less likely to have some problems. Not sure what materials Trane is using at this point.

When Mike's Mom's air died, her Trane system was 7 years old. Repairs were expensive and did not carry a long guarantee period. A new system seemed to be the better way to go.

Maybe the difficulty in getting necessary parts are because those parts aren't made at this point? I hope thing progress very quickly. Hopefully some of your neighbors will offer their guest room so you can at least get a comfortable night's sleep.

[Ron1Z]

R-22 cost is $450.00 for a 30lb cylinder and you must have a cfc license to buy it and they are charging $100.00 per pound??. Yes I can see it taking a few days to get one his time of year to get a replacement compressor.
Newer units take R410 a lot cheaper for Freon and more efficient. I hold a Masters HVAC License and a universal CFC license here in Delaware. Any other HVAC questions ? Please ask.

[ssmith]

So enlighten me...what AC brand would you recommend?

If you can't say ....then tell what you would have your mother buy?

[CatskillBill]

My fan motor died at the five year mark. Service man replaced the motor AND the capacitor because the capacitors only seem to last 6-8 years according to him.

Good move replacing the capacitor, as two of my neighbors have had them fail in the past month. Luckily it didn't ruin the motor like mine did. I had a one year seller's warranty that came with the house and the co-pay was $75

And watch out !!! Some of these service men start troubleshooting by changing out the relay contactor first, then the surge protector, and when that doesn't fix the problem they try a new capacitor. The end result many times is a bill of $300 to $400 for unneeded parts and labor when a $25part and an hour or two (with travel) labor could have fixed it.

[redwitch]

Don't know what others are recommending, but Chuck Farrell is using American Standard and I'm of the opinion that what's good enough for Chuck is good enough for me.

[CaptJohn]

R-22 cost is $450.00 for a 30lb cylinder and you must have a cfc license to buy it and they are charging $100.00 per pound??. Yes I can see it taking a few days to get one his time of year to get a replacement compressor.
Newer units take R410 a lot cheaper for Freon and more efficient. I hold a Masters HVAC License and a universal CFC license here in Delaware. Any other HVAC questions ? Please ask.

Couldn't you simply convert the unit to use the new type freon like they did when they changed over cars? I think my older car simply had a few valves replaced with newer types. Very low cost.

[Warren Kiefer]

Ouch is right, Warren. My brother-in-law works in heating and cooling in CA and they no longer carry Trane. Problems with corrosion and then they crap out. Of course this doesn't happen for a while. New systems made with different metals are available so less likely to have some problems. Not sure what materials Trane is using at this point.

When Mike's Mom's air died, her Trane system was 7 years old. Repairs were expensive and did not carry a long guarantee period. A new system seemed to be the better way to go.

Maybe the difficulty in getting necessary parts are because those parts aren't made at this point? I hope thing progress very quickly. Hopefully some of your neighbors will offer their guest room so you can at least get a comfortable night's sleep.

Trane at one time was a major company in the AC business. I am told Munns dropped Trane because of the poor quality. This seems to be another one of those businesses that start cutting corners and using poor quality materials. This always works in reverse when you try to increase profits by lowering the quality. It does disturb me that since Munns installed thousands of the Trane AC's in the Villages, they should keep ample replacment parts. Trane compressors seem to break down more than one would expect.

[Quixote]

So enlighten me...what AC brand would you recommend?

If you can't say ....then tell what you would have your mother buy?

Trane at one time was a major company in the AC business. I am told Munns dropped Trane because of the poor quality. This seems to be another one of those businesses that start cutting corners and using poor quality materials. This always works in reverse when you try to increase profits by lowering the quality. It does disturb me that since Munns installed thousands of the Trane AC's in the Villages, they should keep ample replacment parts. Trane compressors seem to break down more than one would expect.

Since it seemed obvious to me that the handwriting was on the wall with my central air conditioning system, even though it was still working (though seeming to struggle doing so), I sprang for a complete new Carrier system to replace my eight-year-old Trane that had been installed by Sun Kool when the house was built. I figured, why wait, when I'll have to do it in the near future anyway. Munn's was somewhat flexible with pricing, TECO gave a rebate for the replacement of the furnace portion, and Carrier itself gave a one-year interest-free loan!

I can't completely blame Trane; in reality the unit was a bit too small for the size of the house, so especially on hot days it was a struggle. I went up one size to one that is slightly too big for the house, and what an improvement! The Carrier runs much quieter, cools much gentler and more evenly, and maintains the temp setting without a struggle. I highly recommend Munn's and their attention to detail; they did the best imaginable job, even including installing one additional vent that was sorely needed (master BR closet) and cleaning out all the ducts and vents. I could not be more pleased—with both Carrier AND Munn's!

[livsea2]

I have a slow leak, like less than 1/2 lb lost a year. Just had 2 lbs added last month, cost was $64 for the R-22 freon. You are getting ripped off my friend.

[KayakerNC]

Don't know what others are recommending, but Chuck Farrell is using American Standard and I'm of the opinion that what's good enough for Chuck is good enough for me.

I also have an American Standard A/C.
But...American Standard comes out of the same factory and off the same line as a Trane. Different labels, but if you look at the label, it says American Standard built by Trane.:shocked:

[ducati1974]

Couldn't you simply convert the unit to use the new type freon like they did when they changed over cars? I think my older car simply had a few valves replaced with newer types. Very low cost.

You cannot convert an R-22 system to R410a.

[CaptJohn]

You cannot convert an R-22 system to R410a.

Why not? Please elaborate for those of us with inquiring minds. :laugh:

[edwardt6]

What year did they do away with r22

[buggyone]

I agree that Chuck Farrell is the man to call for AC problems.

[batman911]

R22 is an ODS (Ozone Depleting Substance) and manufacture was banned along with
R12/R114 and several others years back. There are lots of recycle places that will take your old refrigeration equipment away free so they can recover, recycle and sell the refrigerant gas they contain. We have found that a recycle place will usually have a better price for the ODS gasses. I believe TV is currently installing Carrier systems in new homes.

[gustavo]

Why not? Please elaborate for those of us with inquiring minds. :laugh:

Because the operating pressures for 410 are much higher than the r22 systems. If you fill your r22 system with 410 you will either blow something up or if you operate at the r22 pressure level there won't be enough heat removal capability to cool your house.

[Ron1Z]

Couldn't you simply convert the unit to use the new type freon like they did when they changed over cars? I think my older car simply had a few valves replaced with newer types. Very low cost.

No you can't convert, the indoor and outdoor units will need to be replaced.

[CaptJohn]

Because the operating pressures for 410 are much higher than the r22 systems. If you fill your r22 system with 410 you will either blow something up or if you operate at the r22 pressure level there won't be enough heat removal capability to cool your house.


Thanks for a good solid answer. I learned something new today and can go to sleep now! :laugh:

[billethkid]

there are other AC companies like Sunshine for one example. I am sure one of them will have what you need. Just remember you will no doubt wait more than 4 days for a complete new installation and several thousand dollars.

Like it or not getting the compressor replaced is your best deal....just find an installer....be sure to look for non Villages contractor.

btk

[Warren Kiefer]

I have a slow leak, like less than 1/2 lb lost a year. Just had 2 lbs added last month, cost was $64 for the R-22 freon. You are getting ripped off my friend.

It isn't so important that I might be getting ripped off. It is the fact that a local AC company who do most of the installations in the Villages, are ripping off the residents.

[zcaveman]

I use Sun-Kool. I have always been happy with their technicians and their diagnosis on my system. I am on my second Trane system (I had 11 years on the first one) and I am very happy with their service.

You have to remember that the A/C gets a lot more use down here than it did up north.

Z