Rheem Air Conditioner Units Sold With Defective Coils, Leaking Reported Rheem Manufacturing, a leader in the air conditioning manufacturing and sales industry, is selling air conditioning units to consumers with the expectation that the air conditioners will operate appropriately and will last for years. Customers, instead, report being sold central air conditioner units that have been constructed with defective, leaking evaporator coils. What’s more, according to a number of reports, Rheem does not appear to be honoring its warranty. Our firm is investigating claims for a Class Action Lawsuit against Rheem Manufacturing for selling air conditioning units constructed with defective evaporator coils. AC Coils Leak, Warranty Not Honored Rheem evaporator coils are reportedly leaking just after the unit has been installed, in many cases. When these leaks occur within the warranty period, Rheem has the option of replacing the defective coils. Instead, according to reports, Rheem has only been offering replacement costs for parts, not labor.

Should the customer discover the leak following expiration of the relatively short warranty period, consumers are expected to pay for replacement coils and labor, which may total about $2,000, despite that Rheem appears to be aware of the issue with their coils.black mold in ac ducts Science Backs Copper Coil Corrosion Theoriesrv ac unit not blowing cold air Experts explain that the corrosion seen in some Rheem air conditioner models causes the coils to leak. home air conditioner repair louisville kyA prevailing theory is that contaminants in the air cause the corrosion, which occurs on indoor coils during the cooling cycle. The contaminants apparently become acidic when exposed to moisture, which causes etching on the coils, a phenomenon known as “Ant-Nest Corrosion” because the etching appears similar to ant nest activity.

This corrosion thins the coils, eventually making the coils porous and very prone to leaking. The coil’s copper surface “will be discolored adjacent to the corrosion pit(s). Surface films can vary from dull gray-black to red-brown or purple, depending upon the specific environment,” Peter Elliot of Corrosion Materials Consultancy Inc., and Richard A. Corbett of Corrosion Testing Laboratories wrote in a paper on the matter, according to an ABC News report. “The corrosion initiates from the tube surface and progresses rapidly into the tube wall,” they explained. The damage progresses rapidly; “Perforation usually occurs in weeks or months, not years.” Researchers writing in Metal Madrid, report that the defect causes “the loss of refrigerant liquid and the consequent environment pollution. It is known that attack requires the simultaneous presence of moisture, oxygen, and a corrodent, usually an organic acid … or other volatile organic substances.” In fact, note the team, some 10 percent “of all premature failures of copper tubes used in the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) industry are the result of ant-nest corrosion” and “usually occurs in thin-wall copper pipes, especially when copper is de-sulphurized.

The paper authored by Elliot and Corbett provided the same explanation that, “Any nest corrosion will only occur when oxygen, moisture, and a specific corrodent, usually an organic acid, are simultaneously present on a copper surface. The damage is worse when stagnant fluids are retained against the copper surface, or when crevices are part of the unit design.” Although the cause of the coil corrosion appears to be well understood and scientifically backed, Rheem continues to sell air conditioning units that suffer from this flaw and refuses to compensate consumers appropriately. Help for Owners of Rheem Air Conditioning Units We are available to help anyone who is in possession of a Rheem central air conditioning system. Whether your unit has failed or not, you may be entitled to compensation under product liability laws. To lean more about your legal rights, please complete our online form for a free evaluation of your case. You may also call our office at 1-800-YOURLAWYER (1-800-968-7529) today to speak with one of our product liability lawyers.

Which is a better unit for central air, American standard or rheem? Neither would be my choice, but the fact is, it is more about the contractor then the brand you choose. A quality install , along with correcting issues that you likely have with the duct system, will do more for your utility bill,and comfort then the brand.Check the DOE website ( department of energy), and you'll find that installation is the most important thing, and that most are not done correctly. Check their site and then ask questions when looking for a contractor,lots of questions. as well as Angie's List, as a means to pre-screen contractors. I have found Carrier to be one of the best AC units. Ours has been running over 20 years and keeps our 2500 SF home quite comfortable. It is a self contained unit and very quiet. Sondi, Carrier would be my choice too. That said replacing a 20 year old unit will pay for itself in energy saving. So it's costing you more in utility bills to keep it, then to replace it.

you ask the question american standard or rheem. american standard are trane in disguides and rheem or ruud both brands are excellent only different is the way the heat mode is wired up they both will give you the comfort you are looking for but the rheem are the one I would stay with as long as you maintain it it would last you a little long than the american standard. rheems are american made where as american standard have some parts that are imported. The choice is yours both brands are good but one has a slight edge over the other.raymond gonzalezkoolray heating and air The installation of the ductwork is the most important thing - that all seams are well-taped and sealed. And that the ducts are also insulated. Don't let your installer talk you into a system where he gets a lot of markup (Goodman), and a guarenee labor payment when you call him back. Ask him to tell you what he paid for the system, and what his labor costs are. Most run like gazelles when you want to know how much you are paying for the equiptment and what THEY paid for it.