How to Put an Outdoor A/C Unit Back Together

Find out why you should hire a service contractor rather than try to solder your outdoor A/C unit back together yourself.

LESLIE: Alright. Now we’re going to go to Texas, where Bubba wants to do some air-conditioning maintenance. How can we help you?

BUBBA: Yeah, I was wondering, on your outside A/C unit?

TOM: Yep.

BUBBA: You cut it loose and you want to put it back together with the two, little copper fittings? Is the best way to solder that back together with that little torch kit that comes with acetylene and oxygen bottle or if you can use one of the little propane …?

TOM: Why did you cut it loose, Bubba? What were you doing?

BUBBA: I moved.

TOM: You moved. And you took our A/C unit with you?

BUBBA: Yeah. It’s on a big, manufactured home, 16×70 feet.

TOM: Oh, I see. Yeah, I see.

Well, the thing is, those lines have to be recharged with refrigerant, don’t they?

BUBBA: Well, not in this particular case. It has a way that you can trap the refrigerant inside the unit.

TOM: Yeah, you know what? I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to be soldering that yourself, especially with a refrigerant inside the lines. That’s a job for a pro that does it every day. I would hire – I would have a service contractor come out and do that one part of the project for you, pay the service charge and make sure it’s done safely and efficiently so it works well for you.

Bubba, thanks so much for calling us at 888-MONEY-PIT.