[rubu]

Hi All,

I am new home owner. So I apologies if I say something really stupid. We lost had lightning storm in our area and our AC until stopped working next day morning (it was working before the storm and it was on) as in it blows air but not cold air. We also had other damages too. I was told today by the diagnostic guy that it was there is leak due to suction pressure was -3 and head pressure being 10. So the guy injected Nitrogen and listened and figured there is hissing noise in the basement unit. I did hear it too. He said the coil is leaking and need to be replaced. I was told it would cost $+ taxes. As I got 3.5 ton evap coil. I live in upstate NY.

1. Is this the correct diagnostic? Does the whole coil until need to replace? isn't there any other way to fix this without replacing the coil.

2. Can this happen due to lightning storm? I am super scared that this would not be covered as part of the Home Owners.

appreciate any help on this matter

Thanks!

 

[rcstl]

Some techs may try to fix the coil. I would encourage the homeowner to replace a leaker.

We don't talk prices.

 

[rcstl]

Hi All,

I am new home owner. So I apologies if I say something really stupid. We lost had lightning storm in our area and our AC until stopped working next day morning (it was working before the storm and it was on) as in it blows air but not cold air. We also had other damages too. I was told today by the diagnostic guy that it was there is leak due to suction pressure was -3 and head pressure being 10. So the guy injected Nitrogen and listened and figured there is hissing noise in the basement unit. I did hear it too. He said the coil is leaking and need to be replaced. I was told it would cost $+ taxes. As I got 3.5 ton evap coil. I live in upstate NY.

1. Is this the correct diagnostic? Does the whole coil until need to replace? isn't there any other way to fix this without replacing the coil.

2. Can this happen due to lightning storm? I am super scared that this would not be covered as part of the Home Owners.

appreciate any help on this matter

Thanks!

Lightening storm? Doubt it. It was leaking before.

 

[rubu]

Sorry for the price mistake. I am new to this forum. The AC until was working fine until that night before I went to sleep. So I am not sure what happened that night caused the issue other than the storm.

Could you please elaborate on "I would encourage the homeowner to replace a leaker." Does this mean that I could fix this by myself? Appreciate any help.

 

[rcstl]

Sorry for the price mistake. I am new to this forum. The AC until was working fine until that night before I went to sleep. So I am not sure what happened that night caused the issue other than the storm.

Could you please elaborate on "I would encourage the homeowner to replace a leaker." Does this mean that I could fix this by myself? Appreciate any help.

No. I would encourage the HO to let me replace the leaking evap coil. Sorry for the confusion. This sounds like a good reason for a tech visit to figure out why the system went bad!

 

[rcstl]

Am I in trouble again Beenthere? Price in quote? Permanent record and such? :angel:

 

[rubu]

No. I would encourage the HO to let me replace the leaking evap coil. Sorry for the confusion. This sounds like a good reason for a tech visit to figure out why the system went bad!

huh? Im so confused reading your replies. What do you mean by "let me replace"? Tech visit? Visit by who? I already mentioned that there was a tech who provided the input. Could you please be kind and explain further....as I said I am new home owner and I can't figure what you are talking about.

 

[rcstl]

huh? Im so confused reading your replies. What do you mean by "let me replace"? Tech visit? Visit by who? I already mentioned that there was a tech who provided the input. Could you please be kind and explain further....as I said I am new home owner and I can't figure what you are talking about.

I meant that a good, trusted tech should review your system. As far as replace vs repair, I meant if I was your tech, I would replace the evap, not try to repair. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[rubu]

Oh wow...I am sorry but come on. You should have just said your diagnostic was correct and this is the correct solution. Why did you spend so much energy of mine and yours to post nearly 5 replies to one direct answer?

 

[rcstl]

I was joshing my friend, Beenthere about the pricing in a quote. Other than that, I was trying to be helpful to you.

Find a tech you can trust. If it were me, I would replace the coil. My opinion.

 

[rubu]

I was joshing my friend, Beenthere about the pricing in a quote. Other than that, I was trying to be helpful to you.

Find a tech you can trust. If it were me, I would replace the coil. My opinion.

:eek2:

It is easy to say find tech you trust. being a new home owner that doesn't happen unless you go through these issues often in your house. It takes time to build trust hence the post here. If finding a trusted tech is easy then these forums don't exist right? Everyone will listen to the trusted tech and happy ending. Eating 2300+ plus bill with other expenses due to a storm is not easy.

Thanks

 

[catmanacman]

Did he open the coil and find the leak with bubbles ,could be a rubbed through feeder tube or something else easy to fix

 

[rubu]

Did he open the coil and find the leak with bubbles ,could be a rubbed through feeder tube or something else easy to fix

No he did not open. He just listened to the noise and it is coming from the top of the HVAC and said the coil need to replace. He just pumped the nitrogen and listened to the noise. He just hear the noise and claimed that coil need to be replaced.

Should I get a second opinion? There is definitely a leak and it drops really fast and rapidly.

 

[rider77]

I'd want to know exactly where it was at, but if it's on the tube sheet or coil surface replace the coil. You'll have more money in labor with trying to fix a leak then the coils worth. Plus it could pop another hole the next week.
I've seen lightning do some weird things but it most likely didn't pop a hole in the coil while leaving the rest of the electronics and electrical systems in the unit untouched.
Get a second opinion

 

[hvacvegas]

Hi All,

I am new home owner. So I apologies if I say something really stupid. We lost had lightning storm in our area and our AC until stopped working next day morning (it was working before the storm and it was on) as in it blows air but not cold air. We also had other damages too. I was told today by the diagnostic guy that it was there is leak due to suction pressure was -3 and head pressure being 10. So the guy injected Nitrogen and listened and figured there is hissing noise in the basement unit. I did hear it too. He said the coil is leaking and need to be replaced. I was told it would cost $+ taxes. As I got 3.5 ton evap coil. I live in upstate NY.

1. Is this the correct diagnostic? Does the whole coil until need to replace? isn't there any other way to fix this without replacing the coil.

2. Can this happen due to lightning storm? I am super scared that this would not be covered as part of the Home Owners.

appreciate any help on this matter

Thanks!

Alright, lets try to get a clear answer.

It sounds like you have a leak. If he pumped nitrogen in, and could literally hear it leaking, thats a pretty bad leak.

I would recommend against repairing the spot that is leaking on that coil.
I would recommend you have your tech replace the entire coil.

As a general rule of thumb, I would say that a leaking coil would not be caused by a storm.
Although anything can happen.

As far as being scared for filing this repair as a homeowners claim, you should be VERY AFRAID to do it.
You'll most likely end up in hot water.
Someone needs to show that it was lightning damage, and proving that is pretty hard.

IE:
I went to a lawyer office today.

Computer system down. Server burned up.
2 smoke detectors burnt up.
4 electrical outlets fried.
Phone system fried.
Bad furnace board, contactor, thermostat, time delay board.

Even with all that stuff, I am not willing to open myself to liability to say exactly what happened.

With your leaking coil, thats rarely successfully filed as lightning, will probably be investigated....why would you?


The lawyer is going to file it with homeowners as unknown damage, and let her adjuster make the call.

 

[rubu]

Alright, lets try to get a clear answer.

It sounds like you have a leak. If he pumped nitrogen in, and could literally hear it leaking, thats a pretty bad leak.

I would recommend against repairing the spot that is leaking on that coil.
I would recommend you have your tech replace the entire coil.

As a general rule of thumb, I would say that a leaking coil would not be caused by a storm.
Although anything can happen.

As far as being scared for filing this repair as a homeowners claim, you should be VERY AFRAID to do it.
You'll most likely end up in hot water.
Someone needs to show that it was lightning damage, and proving that is pretty hard.

IE:
I went to a lawyer office today.

Computer system down. Server burned up.
2 smoke detectors burnt up.
4 electrical outlets fried.
Phone system fried.
Bad furnace board, contactor, thermostat, time delay board.

Even with all that stuff, I am not willing to open myself to liability to say exactly what happened.

With your leaking coil, thats rarely successfully filed as lightning, will probably be investigated....why would you?


The lawyer is going to file it with homeowners as unknown damage, and let her adjuster make the call.

Thank you for the information.

As I mentioned this was one of the items. I am really not sure what caused it maybe it was just my bad day. Following are the other damages.

1. Burned garage door opener.
2. Router.
3. Laptop.

Our A\C was on everyday and it was cooling without any issues. We get up in the morning after the lightning storm and AC kicked in around 11am and was running till 12ish and the home was not getting cold. So i check the vents and realized its not cooling. We have baby and we can't stay in 86+ inside house without cooling hence the call to fix it. My assumption was lightning storm cause this too. Maybe not maybe it was a bad day for me and I have been having few of them lately.

Insurance adjuster is coming in anyways to check. I am new to home ownership and homeowner insurance. So I guess I am going to learn by the time.

Also I never said I am scared to file. I said I am scared that it would not be covered. Why should I be scared. I paid for it right. Hot water for what this is what I think happened as I am not a HVAC repairman. If they do not agree with the storm didn't caused is great. Move on I guess. If they don't it is not the only insurance company we got right.
Thanks,

 

[hvacvegas]

Thank you for the information.

As I mentioned this was one of the items. I am really not sure what caused it maybe it was just my bad day. Following are the other damages.

1. Burned garage door opener.
2. Router.
3. Laptop.

Our A\C was on everyday and it was cooling without any issues. We get up in the morning after the lightning storm and AC kicked in around 11am and was running till 12ish and the home was not getting cold. So i check the vents and realized its not cooling. We have baby and we can't stay in 86+ inside house without cooling hence the call to fix it. My assumption was lightning storm cause this too. Maybe not maybe it was a bad day for me and I have been having few of them lately.

Insurance adjuster is coming in anyways to check. I am new to home ownership and homeowner insurance. So I guess I am going to learn by the time.

Also I never said I am scared to file. I said I am scared that it would not be covered. Why should I be scared. I paid for it right. Hot water for what this is what I think happened as I am not a HVAC repairman. If they do not agree with the storm didn't caused is great. Move on I guess. If they don't it is not the only insurance company we got right.
Thanks,

sounds good.

 

[HVAC_Marc]

Hi All,

I am new home owner. So I apologies if I say something really stupid. We lost had lightning storm in our area and our AC until stopped working next day morning (it was working before the storm and it was on) as in it blows air but not cold air. We also had other damages too. I was told today by the diagnostic guy that it was there is leak due to suction pressure was -3 and head pressure being 10. So the guy injected Nitrogen and listened and figured there is hissing noise in the basement unit. I did hear it too. He said the coil is leaking and need to be replaced. I was told it would cost $+ taxes. As I got 3.5 ton evap coil. I live in upstate NY.

1. Is this the correct diagnostic? Does the whole coil until need to replace? isn't there any other way to fix this without replacing the coil.

2. Can this happen due to lightning storm? I am super scared that this would not be covered as part of the Home Owners.

appreciate any help on this matter

Thanks!

Where in upstate NY? I, or another pro on here, may be close by.

 

[rubu]

Where in upstate NY? I, or another pro on here, may be close by.

I am in Rochester NY.

 

[HVAC_Marc]

I am in Rochester NY.

that's not close to me but i think member jmac00 may be in Rochester.

here's the link for the thread on the contractors locator map:

http://hvac-talk.com/vbb/showthread.php?853762-Contractors-Locator-Map