Gas for older A/C units

[J B]

We have some older A/C units in our villa at Tala that need re-gassing.

Someone has said that the older gas is hard to come by.

We had Chris Cool to 'service' them in the spring time, but our tenants haven't used them till just recently and 'Marios' (who called to look) says they need more gas!!

Help!

[Mike.1940]

Gas is gas whatever units you put it in. It is usually a canister and if you are a diy type it is fairly easy if the outside units are reachable.

[71 Trans Am]

Mouse is correct - Older units are normally full of R12 or Freon gas which is a chlorofluorocarbon gas (cfc ) and is now banned for use and has to be totally phased out by 2021 as it has been found to deplete the ozone layer - A near replacement for this and mostly used now is R134a which is a hydrofluorocarbon gas (hfc) - The two cannot be mixed - If you a/c needs gas and it is the older type it will need a full vacuum drain down and refill with R134a - Two other gasses are available R401a and R401b which are normally used for cold rooms walk in fridges etc as they are capable of lower area temperatures.

[J B]

Prefer not to ask Chris Cool
Both our tenants and myself concluded that he was 'economical with the truth'
He 'serviced' them all in the Spring, but, by the end of July, they all need gas!!

Any ideas where we can find the suitable gas?

[71 Trans Am]

I personally would forget trying to find the gas because even if you find some the chances are that because it is in very short supply it will be very expensive and reputable fridge engineers will not use it - I would try to find a good engineer and have them drained and vacuum tested anyway - If they don't hold a vacuum then the seals need replacing as to loose the gas that soon after a service suggests the seals have contracted due to lack of use and the gas you put in will leak straight back out

[J B]

........ as to loose the gas that soon after a service suggests the seals have contracted due to lack of use and the gas you put in will leak straight back out

or alternatively, the gas was never checked in the first place?

[Kili01]

I found that my old (15+) years aircons were both very expensive to run and there were difficulties getting the correct gas, as already stated.
I took the decision to replace the 2 which I use most with new "invertor' ones. These are much more economical with use of electricity, quieter and very efficient. They come in a variety of prices/sizes. Mine are Samsung and mid range.

Dee

[ApusApus]

Old gas units are illegal as 71 Trans Am has said ............... you need to replace the units!


Shane

[J B]

I took the decision to replace the 2 which I use most with new "invertor' ones. These are much more economical with use of electricity, quieter and very efficient.

Although I consider myself a decent landlord, I would prefer not to spend €2K (?) on replacing the five units.
They are all Sharp Inverter units from around 2001
Using less electricity isn't going to help me very much!

Old gas units are illegal as 71 Trans Am has said ............... you need to replace the units!

I just re-read TransAm's two posts - that isn't what he says ... He suggested changing the gas - I just need to find someone to do it!

[PaphosAL]

There is some extremely good advice as regards domestic A/C upkeep and maintenance in this thread, so far. Please read it fully! You cannot simply top up an old illegal R12 system with a later more eco-friendly fridge gas. The old shite has to be totally vacuum-pumped out (for responsible safe disposal, not simply just released into the atmosphere), then the new gas is charged...

A proper A/C engineer will then run his electronic sniffer device around all the pipe joints, just to ensure there are no gas leaks present, then, job done!

Cheers- AL

[71 Trans Am]

JB
Just as an after thought and depending on how you want to proceed - If i was in your position and wanted it done correctly, Trying to identify a scrupulous HVAC Engineer is a daunting task However even in cyprus some things are done strictly to the book and a good place to start would be Papantonios - Try to find out who they use for their refrigeration requirements and then you will or should be on the right track - These stores have to adhere to certain regulations and there fridges will need to be certified by a qualified HVAC Engineer who will put his name and number to the paperwork.

[cyprusmax47]

Prefer not to ask Chris Cool
Both our tenants and myself concluded that he was 'economical with the truth'
He 'serviced' them all in the Spring, but, by the end of July, they all need gas!!

Any ideas where we can find the suitable gas?

Why not ask the company in our PL directory section "Energy" https://www.paphoslife.com/directory/category/energy for their opinion

Max

[J B]

Just as an after thought and depending on how you want to proceed - If i was in your position and wanted it done correctly, Trying to identify a scrupulous HVAC Engineer is a daunting task However even in cyprus some things are done strictly to the book and a good place to start would be Papantonios - Try to find out who they use for their refrigeration requirements and then you will or should be on the right track - These stores have to adhere to certain regulations and there fridges will need to be certified by a qualified HVAC Engineer who will put his name and number to the paperwork.

Many thanks for this suggestion. I am however in the UK so it might prove difficult ... will investigate.

Why not ask the company in our PL directory section "Energy" https://www.paphoslife.com/directory/category/energy for their opinion

Thanks Max. Most seem to want to sell new renewable energy products, so have emailed greenair, will see if they respond.

[humpinghummer]

Hi JB, I have sent you PM on a engineer who carries the older style gas

[J B]

Hi JB, I have sent you PM on a engineer who carries the older style gas

Thanks

[Crumpe]

Did this ever get resolved?

[J B]

Did this ever get resolved?

Yes thanks.

The PM that I received was a good-un

Guy came and fixed 3

... but condemned one more

Best place for a new a/c unit? CMC electrical?

[Poppy]

I concur with HIC. I think they are called Thermacool. We also had the Mitsubishi which was excellent but probably more than JB would want to spend as a Landlord although his tenants would love him for how economical they are. I think you are going to have to start saving JB as they have lasted really well for 16 years but the outside units must be manky and rusty now surely.

[J B]

I was highly recommended to the specialist a/c shop just 100m down from the Home Market. We bought a Mitsubishi unit, which we love. It's so silent you don't even know it's on...and cheap to run on the Eco setting. How they compare on price I don't know, but the product and service was excellent.

Thanks - do you have contact details as we are in the UK.

[Jim B]

Sorry Lloyd but I recently bought eight LG units from Green Air. They offered the most competitive package against the other named companies and their after sales service is excellent.

Jim