Sorry, this isn’t a question to test the minds of the geniuses who use this site, but nevertheless I do need help
I am moving out of my home today, and would like to take my split airconditioning unit with me. I live in Japan and everybody here pays a company roughly $200 to remove it. They then pay another $200 to reinstall it somewhere else. I can understand the reinstall fee because I believe freon has to be pumped back into it. The removal fee is something I question though. Often people pay to have things done here just because everyone else pays the same to have it done.
I don’t really know anything about airconditioning units, but is there any reason why I just cant undo the necessary bolts and pull it from the wall, and disconnect it from it’s outside unit, and then have it reinstalled professionally. I know it may not be good because freon may be released into the environment, but if i do it myself will I destroy the thing?
Opening the system to the atmosphere results in contamination. While this can be probably be reversed, usually evacuating system is enough but not always, why not do it right. They will seal the system so that it can be recharged upon reinstallation w/ no contamination. Probably worth the money to avoid problems.
It would not destroy the unit, but it may be against the law. In the USA, that would be a Federal crime, and you could be fines $25,000 and potentially go to jail.
About a decade ago, many countries got together to reduce CFCs in the environment. They were present in things like deodorent (as a propellent) and what is commonly known as “Freon.”
The result of that international meeting is known as the “Montreal Protocal” and in the USA you must be licensed to handle refrigerants, and must use specialized equipment to “recover” the Freon. You may not “vent” it into the environment. I believe many other countries signed on to this agreement, and I don’t know how it plays out in a practical way in Japan.
If you inhale Freon accidently, it is quite harmful. If you burn it, it produces a highly toxic gas. If you aren’t careful, releasing it into the environment, it can give you a burn akin to frostbite.
Also, A/C units don’t like moisture of any type, so care must be taken to keep moisture or dust, spiders, bugs from entering the lines before reinstallation. Further, the Freon that was “recovered” at your old location is reused at the new location. if you vent it into the environment new freon will be needed.
In the end, you may be able to do this. (if you’re careful) But, it may be unsafe, illegal or more expensive to re-install. Unless money is super tight, I think it’s a bad idea.
As I recall R-12 (in older refrigerators and older auto AC units) was proven scientifically to be bad for the ozone layer. Is why it was discontinued so quickly over 10 years ago.
R-22 (what is still in most household air conditioning units today) was never proven to do anything bad. Just being phased out much more gradually than R-12 because it is somewhat related to R-12 and scientists think it might turn out to be harmful to the environment someday.
I’d blow the charge and forget it as long as you won’t get caught and have to pay a silly, pointless fine. Can always vacuum the system out and recharge after you relocate. But you are dealing with blind bureaucracy—so be careful.
WOW!
Are you knowledgeable about these things or do you make them up as you go along? Refrigerants were given ratings as to the damage they do to the environment. R-11, and R-12 had the grreatest Ozone Depletion Potential. (ODP)
You do not have your facts straight. R-22 is in FACT damaging to the environment. It is in much more widespread use, and it too has a phaseout schedule over the next 15 years or so.
In the USA, that silly pointless fine is $25,000 per day, and could land you in jail. It is a Federal crime.
There is no dispute as to R-22. (other than those who maintain that all CFCs are safe, and that the “hole” in the ozone is a natural occurence over thosands of years; and that it will close up again, naturally). R-22 has a lower ODP, and so the longer phase out schedule. Manufacturers have been working now for over a decade to find refrigerants that are benign to the environment. 134a, and 410a are newer refigerants that are kinder to the environment, but a “perfect” refrigerant hasn’t been found. Even 410a needs to be recovered.
Vaccuuming out the system [correctly] requires a vacuum pump, a set of refrigerant gages, a micron gage and a very specialized set of training. The equipment is about $500—and even if you had it you would be unaware as to how to use it correctly.
But I would agree—be careful. Unless ombre3 is ready to pay your fine (assuming it is a crime in your area) and do your jail time, be careful about taking ill informed advice.