Can I recharge this myself, should have somebody come or just take it to my Brother-N-Laws auto shop (he does AC recharging).

It blows, just not cold.

Thanks,

 

You probably won't be able to recharge a window unit. I think they are all sealed systems.

 

YOU CAN add refrigerent to a sealed window unit but you have to get a piercing valve kit from an air conditioning supply house johnstone supply on the east coast is a good one, and you need a can of r22 which is different from what is used in automobiles I:E(r12 or 134a) and a hose to connect the can to the unit and usually it only just a squirt is all you need

 

Camoflauge is right but the only way your going to get R22 is if you are licensed. It would be better if you either pulled the unit and took it to a tech(probably cheaper)or called one in.Have you cleaned the unit lately?If the coils are dirty and pluged up it wont cool very well.

 

First off, how old is it? How big is it?

Adding r22 to a system that didn't leak it out is only going to make it marginally better. It will lug the compressor harder and just lead to faster compressor burnout. If it's old, and a small unit, then I say scrap it. The compressor may be worn out and bypassing. If it's worth keeping, then the charge needs to be reclaimed, I like to turn them upside down to pump out the oil as well. After the charge is reclaimed, remove the piercing valve,(I use these things that look like visegrips),then braze on 2 service ports, put in a few ounces of oil, and charge with gauges. Make sure the evaporator and condensor coils are cleaned. (I use a product called Hurriclean, and it works great)

Very simple operation for an ac guy, and the unit will run like new.

I used to look for window units on the side of the road during spring cleaning, if they looked halfway decent, I'd pick them up, and straighten them out and put ads in the paper. Made for some extra cash during the summer. Had a guy come up for one once, and the one of the ones I was selling was his, hehe. Gave it to him for 75 bucks because it was just too funny.

 

What do you think it would cost to have it serviced?

I would consider this a medium sized unit.

About 18" High x 30" wide x 24" deep. Standard window unit. I just hate to scrap it if it only needs a little attention.

 

few bucks a pound for the r-22, couple dollars for the oil, and an hours labor. If you don't know any hvac guys, then most co's won't come out for service on a window unit.

Nobody will sell it to you without an EPA certifcate.

Try calling some appliance repair places and see what they say.

r-22 is not expensive, (not yet anyway). A 30lb jug costs me 41.00 at the supply house. I usually mark it up to 4.99 per pound when I use it.

Before taking that unit to anyone, make sure the coils are clean, (both sides). Did you ever run it without the filter in place?