HVAC question.

[BlasterBob]

I recently sent the following to one of our members here in a PM but never did get any response or acknowledgment.
Perhaps the fellow member is not as knowledgable as I had thought in the AC field. I can't seem to get pictures to post so if some fellow member wants to risk sending me his emai addressl, I'd sure like to have them give their thoughts about the AC unit involved. Here is the message as sent:

I have a quick question for you since I trust you are well versed about AIr Conditioners. We have a contract to buy a house. This house is truly the best we have seen when considering condition, out side and inside. Home inspector spent two hours there today and everything went really fine with one exception. The AC outside unit (Temp Star) had large sections of the metal vent deteriorated dut to his damned dog taking constant leaks on it. The Copper tubes immediately behind the metal vents had quite a bit of corrosion on them also due to dog pee. I am hoping the home owner will seriously consider to replace the entire outside unit if that is called for. I am reluctant to have HIS AC guy check it out only to say this won't bother the function. If you were in my place, what would you do about such a ratty looking questionable dang thing. If you are interested, I can send you a picture via email as I have a crappy time trying to attach photos to any PM's.
Many thanks for any help you care to offer.
Blasterbob

[2XS]

I don't think asking to have the condenser replaced is out line. It most certainly does affect the units heat transfer ability that is what the fins and tubes are for. If they won't replace it ask them to lower price enough to get it replaced later it is most certainly the end of the world. What kind of shape is the rest of the AC system in you may want replace any how based on age and what type of refrigerant it use. If it is an older system it could be very expensive to fix if leaks. There are better more energy efficient units out there as well the higher the seer rating the better effecincy and more money to buy

[Gman]

I am not a professional HVAC guy, but I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express...

Sounds like the urine reacted significantly with the aluminum fins on the condenser. If the loss of fin area is significant it will probably have to be replaced. The age of the compressor would probably weigh-in to whether or not to just replace the entire unit.

[Great-Kazoo]

If the seller will not cover replacement. offer to do a 50/50 split.

[Wulf202]

The urine is acidic and will eat into the coil. You might get a few years out of it but it will go because of the damage. It'll go faster if its 410.

That being said. It's about a $1200 job.

[Gman]

...or get them to kick in a home warranty for a year with a nationally recognized provider? You could get it replaced if it's a problem without having to eat the whole cost yourself.

I'm finding that these are a lot more common than I ever knew.
Enticing Buyers With a Home Warranty (http://www.zillow.com/wikipages/Enticing-Buyers-With-a-Home-Warranty/)

[Walker2970]

It's the Ammonia in the urine that will eat the coil How old is the unit ? make,model,serial numbers If the unit is pushing close to 1o years old push to have it replaced.
Also make sure the heat exchanger is smoke tested for leaks.

[hghclsswhitetrsh]

BB - sorry I didn't respond via pm. I dealt with several this summer that had completely leaked all the refrigerant out due to pet urination on the outdoor coils. I would ask for 3 quote to replace the whole system if it's the old style r22 system.

[Great-Kazoo]

...or get them to kick in a home warranty for a year with a nationally recognized provider? You could get it replaced if it's a problem without having to eat the whole cost yourself.

I'm finding that these are a lot more common than I ever knew.
Enticing Buyers With a Home Warranty (http://www.zillow.com/wikipages/Enticing-Buyers-With-a-Home-Warranty/)



Maybe on a 5 - 10 year old house tops. Ours was built in 1904. The only warranty anyone is getting from us it what ever the windows , HVAC and any updated appliances have remaining .

[BlasterBob]

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions. This AC unit is to be inspected tomorrow morning by our HVAC inspector (with an upstanding highly regarded firm) who will make a recommendation that hopefully the Seller will go along with. Wish I could post a picture of this urine corroded unit but can't get Photobucket to cooperate..so take my word for it, it looks baaaaaaaad.
Again, THANKS!!!

[Great-Kazoo]

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions. This AC unit is to be inspected tomorrow morning by our HVAC inspector (with an upstanding highly regarded firm) who will make a recommendation that hopefully the Seller will go along with. Wish I could post a picture of this urine corroded unit but can't get Photobucket to cooperate..so take my word for it, it looks baaaaaaaad.
Again, THANKS!!!


Just go directly from your camera to here using the Insert Image Icon

[BlasterBob]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/bobjan/image_zpso8c9voe0.png (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bobjan/media/image_zpso8c9voe0.png.html)

[BlasterBob]

Thanks GK.

[SideShow Bob]

Too bad you're in enemy territory, I've got a compressor unit (5 to 6 ton ? ) you could have. It is in good shape, to either cannibalize for the parts you need, or find someone really good at sweating copper pipe to seal it just at the inlet lines.

I kept it when I had to replace it sure to the A/C tech (Hack) couldn't fix it where it was leaking.

[colorider]

wtf was that dog drinking to have it's pee do that.?. Looks like alien blood got to it.
From the looks of it, I would say the seller is totally responsible for replacing that or take replacement price off the home purchase price. Incl labor.

[TheGrey]

Hey, dog urine is incredibly corrosive stuff. Just this past year, a light post in San Diego toppled over and did some serious damage to a car, and it was thanks to dog pee. And it wasn't the only time that happened! Fido needs to lift his leg on something other than metal.

[BlasterBob]

Today I accompanied a first class HVAC guy who owned the company and he did say that although the unit may still "operate", the efficiency of this AC will be poor and recommended a replacement unit. The fins were not only disintegrating but there were numerous places where the fins were bashed in which limited the air flow over the tubes even more. Should be VERY interesting to see how the current owners/sellers will want handle this matter.