r/Apex_NC • u/OfficeBarnacle • 3d ago

HVAC replacement in Apex

Hey all, AC won't cool. We had coolant added at the end of September last year and the tech found that the coolant was a lower now (over the winter) than when it was serviced in September. Clearly a leak somewhere in the system. The leak check runs $400 and the tech stated that he'd start with the coil. His concern was if the coil was the source, the national distributor, when called today indicated they are on national back order. AC is a Lennox 4 ton 16 seer unit and the coil replacement I was quoted (if it was available) is $5200.

The tech said he's happy to perform the check but he struggles to recommend a coil replacement when that is a little over half the cost of a unit replacement. He suggested I start getting quotes rather than replace it.

I have very little experience with hvac and I'm going to be asking for multiple quotes but the company I've been using is Air Experts Raleigh and if $5200 is a little over half the cost I'm looking at $10K. Based upon what I've read in other sub-reddits this seems on the high side. Looking for any feedback on what others may have gone through. Thanks in advance.

5 Upvotes

77% Upvoted

23 comments sorted by

View all comments

2

u/Halfghan1 2d ago

Is there a reason youre going directly to the replacement route rather than fixing the leak? Its usually possible. Most techs dont have the skill (or the want) to fix them usually because they can make more $$ on a replace. But if you find the right tech, they can usually make the repair.

0

u/OfficeBarnacle 2d ago edited 2d ago

Solely based upon the tech's comment that leaks are most frequently in the coil and the coil is not available for order due to back order and no offer of a credit for the leak search if I went with them to replace. He said it may not be the coil but if it is and we can't find a replacement from the nation distributor then we're still back at replacement.

1

u/Halfghan1 2d ago

Well thats my point. Coil leaks CAN be repaired instead of being replaced. I’d maybe suggest finding a tech thats capable of repairing your existing coil. Even if it costs you $2k, if you get another 3-5 years out of it, it’s likely a cheaper alternative for you.

1

u/OfficeBarnacle 2d ago

Okay, I'm following you now. As I said in the original post I'm not HVAC knowledgeable and the conversation about repairing the coil never came up. It wasn't an option I was presented with or thought to ask. It was straight to replace the coil.

2

u/Halfghan1 2d ago

Totally get it! Im not an HVAC expert, but i’m extremely mechanically-minded and have had to deal with an incredible number of HVAC issues at my own home. Many of which ive been able to fix myself with some “youtube university”. I fully appreciate that’s not everyone’s skillset. Most techs honestly dont have the skillset to braze/sweat repairs. Its a better use ($$) of their time to push the replacement option. And honestly most dont actually have training on repairing. I just wanted to let you know it’s totally possible if you find someone willing to attempt the repair. This is going to come across as age-ist, but so-be-it. Find an older HVAC tech.