A couple of Air Conditioner questions before the AHS vendor

by Rowleys Kitchen Improvements


I would guess that you professionals may have less than a stellar opinion of AHS, most of the remainder of the world feels the same way. However, I have AHS coverage through the purchase of our home and will need to deal with them. The vendor comes today, but I also had a HVAC person come yesterday having nothing to do with AHS. I hope you can give me some guidance on a couple of questions before the AHS guy comes today. Oh, if it matters I paid the guy yesterday $ to look at he two units and give me a diagnosis and estimate to fix it.

We have two units, a 4 ton and a 3 ton.
The 4 ton is not starting at all, the guy yesterday said it is a capacitor problem. He said he will change the capacitor and add a “hard start” to it for $ each, or a total of $ for that machine.
He said the 3 ton has a slow freon leak, that he cannot find, but pointed at the radiator fins which are falling apart due to I assume sun exposure and said it might be the problem. He said he did not have any “R22” but could get some for $400 per pound but would recommend we replace that unit instead since he would not likely be able to find the leak and it will just leak out again slowly.

Question, is $ a pound legit for “R22”? I called another local shop and told them this info exactly as it is stated above. He said R22 has been banned, is that the case? He said if as system needs R22 it has to be replaced. IS any of that correct?
Is there anything else that might jump out to you as less than legit?

I appreciate your help and believe these are generic questions enough not to be asking for anyone for issues with any liability.
In my profession I am approached often to ask if someone else’s guidance is sound or not and I hate to see another advisor giving my profession a black eye with knowingly false information. I hope you feel the same way and can at least tell me if I am being duped and if there is anything I need to watch for with the AHS vendor.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Dollo