Hi Christine, Freon is not very corrosive, so it is probably a case of the rubber in the hose deteriorating, if that is your problem. The first thing that you need to do is find your compressor under the hood, and have someone turn on the A/C. You should see a clutch, that is run by a belt, jump over about 1/4 inch to engage the compressor. If it is locked up, you will have to replace it first at a cost of several hundred dollars. The high pressure hose is usually about $120.
Considering the relatively cool climate that you live in, it's probably not worth the expense. It can easily run $800 to get an older A/C in shape. It may be illegal to fill it with Freon in he future, but Fridgc will work just as well anyway. Why do you drive such junkers anyway?
Adobe is not a good insulator, but does soak up heat and slowly release it. But what happens when it is 20 degrees outside for months at a time, and there is not much sun to soak up. I don't think you would be frolicking barefoot in your gauzy dress without adding some serious heat. With a perfect insulator you would always have to dump heat, as long as there were people and/or energy using devices inside. There is no perfect insulator that I know of, but the goal is to get as close as possible.
There are houses that are self-sufficient but they are usually converted cabins or over-engineered jobs that would cost a half million. I want to do a comprehensive job from the ground up at a reasonable cost.
Earth covered homes are OK but they can be difficult to do so that they don't get musty and damp.
We have been corresponding well over a year now, and I have to keep changing my perception of what you look like, and how your house looks inside. At first, going by your name and writing style, I envisaged someone who was prim and proper, and drove a '96 Volvo, not an old beater. Now I have to factor in your clawing up your garden by hand, and performing rituals on the iced tea as you prepare to fondle your pickles to find the firmest one! And yet, we have a lot in common.
Del |
