Family of MoDOT worker killed in crash gets help after copper stolen from A/C Clifton Scott killed in September 2012 KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The family of a Missouri Department of Transportation worker killed while on the job is getting help with an air conditioner after thieves stole copper from it. Clifton Scott was helping direct traffic around a crash in September 2012 when he was hit and killed by a drunken driver.Scott's house sat vacant for three years while the case was in probate court. During that time, thieves stole the water heater and copper pipes, and the air-conditioning unit stopped working.Scott's son is now living in the home where he was raised.Jay Tansey, of AAA Refrigeration, saw KMBC's story on the Scott family and reached out."So that's what you need replaced is this outdoor unit, your A-coil," Tansey said.Mary Stamp also saw the story and showed up with a window unit, which can be used until the main unit is replaced."I know what it is not to be able to breathe," Stamp said.

Both air-conditioner offers were free for the family."I really am appreciative of this," said Clifton Scott Jr.In addition to help with the air conditioning, the family also has had offers to help with new siding. Lennox Air Conditioning Coils Prone to Degradation Lennox Air Conditioning Coils Prone to Corrosion, Leaksuv light in ac unit Lennox Air Conditioning Coils Prone to Degradation, Leads to AC Failurebest stand alone air conditioning unit The firm is investigating a class action lawsuit on behalf of consumers who have purchased central air conditioning units manufactured by Lennox International, Inc. Lennox International, Inc. manufactures heating, ventilation, and air conditioning products for residential use in the United States and sells central air conditioning units under its own trade name.wall heat ac combo unit

Lennox air conditioners are constructed with a component known as an evaporator coil, which is essential to appropriate operation of the unit. Freon (refrigerant) within the evaporator coil absorbs atmospheric heat that passes over a tube and acts as a heat exchange. This process cools the air in the home. Typically, these evaporator coils are manufactured using copper tubing; however, copper coils are vulnerable to formicary corrosion, a type of degradation that occurs due to a chemical reaction between volatile organic compounds and the copper tubes. The resulting degradation creates microscopic tunnels within the tubing that cause the coil to leak refrigerant. The carbon-based compounds are released during many typical household activities and from many household products, including wood furniture and flooring, carpeting, cleaning products, air fresheners, and cosmetics, to name just some. When formicary corrosion occurs within an evaporator coil, the leakage is often difficult to detect.

Allegedly, what typically occurs is that the consumer repeatedly fills the air conditioning unit with Freon, an ongoing and costly endeavor that only serves to mask the problem temporarily. Ultimately, the leak is detected and the coil requires replacement. The makers of air conditioners have long known about this vulnerability in copper coils to formicary corrosion because changes in housing and in consumer habits have increased the incidence of the corrosion and have made this issue more recognizable. Because newer homes are being made to be more energy efficient by sealing windows and doors, less heated and cooled air escapes, leading to increased accumulation of the compounds in indoor air. Some HVAC contractors have expressed concern over the increasing reports of formicary corrosion. Lennox Has Not Adopted Improved Technique, Does Not Advise Consumers of Defects Meanwhile, there are number of design and manufacturing techniques available that either reduce or prevent formicary corrosion.

For example, coils made with aluminum, tin plate, or polymer sealed copper are more effective against formulary corrosion than copper. In fact, other air conditioner manufacturers use these components, virtually eliminating the corrosion incidence in their products. Lennox is allegedly aware of the copper coil susceptibility to formicary corrosion and is also aware of the various remedies, yet continues to design and manufacture its air conditioning systems with the inferior components. What’s more, Lennox also allegedly continues to replace failed coils with similarly defective coils and has neglected to take any of established steps to reduce Lennox coils from degradation associated with formicary corrosion. Allegedly, Lennox has also not advised its customers that Lennox ACs are susceptible to formicary corrosion, the cause of the formicary corrosion, and that there is a remedy to this problem. When the Freon in a Lennox unit leaks, rendering the AC unable to provide cool air, and this occurs during the warranty period, Lennox allegedly replaces the Freon and leaves the defective coil in place, according to the lawsuit’s allegations.

Once the warranty expires, consumers are faced with having to replace the defective evaporator call with no recourse from Lennox. Should Lennox replace the coil, the coil is allegedly replaced with the same defective product, which may rupture prematurely, leaking Freon with normal use. Given all of these issues, the Lennox warranties fail in their essential purpose. Legal Help for People Who Purchased a Lennox Air Conditioner If you purchased a Lennox air conditioner, you may be entitled to compensation. You can also call our office at 1-800-YOURLAWYER (1-800-968-7529).As CFC refrigerants are phased out, there has been much discussion about braze joint requirements for the new replacement blends. There are two primary reasons why contractors should pay closer attention to braze quality: In either case, one thing hasn't changed. The key to producing leak-proof brazed connections is proper technique. Sound brazed joints are the result of following several key procedures.

This is an easy step to overlook, especially on new installations. Contaminants such as dirt, oil, or heavy surface oxide will inhibit "wetting"; the ability of the molten braze alloy to spread out and adhere to the surface. Wipe parts with a rag, and then use a stainless steel wire brush, or Scotchbrite® to remove the oxide layer. This is another critical aspect. Flame settings depend on the type of heat source. For oxygen-acetylene a neutral flame is recommended. A slightly excess acetylene, (carburizing), flame is also suitable. Avoid using a flame with excessive oxygen, (oxidizing flame.) This flame chemistry increases surface oxides and inhibits filler metal wetting. Air-acetylene torches using swirl type tips have become very popular. These have a single flame adjustment. Regardless of the type of torch, as tube size increases or decreases change to a larger or smaller tip, rather than simply increasing pressure settings. Incorrect heating is the primary reason for poorly made joints.

Adequate joint strength and ductility depend on pulling the molten braze filler metal into the connection. The first joint appears sound from the outside. While this connection may be adequate, under the right circumstances, high vibration or stress might cause a crack to develop. To prevent this we need to use a heating method that gets both parts, including down inside the coupling, to brazing temperature. We recommend this multi-step approach to heating: 1.  Begin by heating the tube. Heat around the tube to conduct heat inside the coupling. 2.  After this preheat, move the torch to the coupling. Angle the flame towards the tube. 3.  Sweep the torch between the tube and coupling to bring both parts to brazing temperature. 4.  Move the flame towards the coupling base and apply filler metal. The molten braze alloy will follow the heat to the base of the cup. 5.  Steps 3 & 4 should be done on both sides of the tube/connection. Also, as tube diameter increases, you need to repeat these steps at several points around the circumference.

This will promote even heating and ensure there is adequate filler metal, and no "starved" areas. It's important to wait for both pieces to absorb sufficient heat before applying the filler metal. The rod or wire should easily melt and flow when it is applied to the base metal. Avoid melting the rod with only the torch flame. Available brazing filler metals are quite suitable for producing leak-free connections. The Harris Filler Metal Chart lists recommended brazing filler metals for various base metal combinations. When brazing copper or brass a flux is required to reduce surface oxides, protect the base metal during heating, and reduce filler metal surface tension. On copper to copper applications the phosphorus in braze rods, (Stay Silv® 5, 15, Blockade®, Dynaflow®), provide this function. When brazing other metals a separate chemical flux is required. Flux should be sparingly used and applied with a brush. A suggested method is to leave ¼" of un-fluxed area at the tube end.

During heating capillary action will pull the melted flux through the joint.  Be sure to remove flux residue with a wet rag after brazing. A somewhat controversial area has been the use of soldering as a replacement for brazed connections. Most commercial solders, notably the tin/lead and tin/antimony grades, are not recommended for high vibration cooling applications. The tin/silver alloys, including our Stay Brite®, do possess the required strength and ductility for residential HVAC applications. The exception is applications where service temperatures exceed 200°F. It's worth noting the International Mechanical Code provides that copper tube soldered joints on "Group A1" refrigerants are acceptable. R-410A is included in this refrigerant group. The benefits of tin/silver joints are well documented. You eliminate the necessary nitrogen purge during heating, and external cooling of heat sensitive valves is unnecessary. Remember, solder fluxes are corrosive. Take care to avoid excess flux on the tube and fitting that may end up inside the closed system.