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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

It's not safe is it ?

105 replies

Hedgehog80 · 08/07/2017 19:06

Dd1 has broken the very expensive air conditioning unit we got only 3 weeks ago as her loft room was unusable in the heat. We had planned to use it for at least a few years and it was a big purchase.

It's ruined. Dh thinks "it'll be fine" and I said I can't use it as it could now be dangerous ? He thinks not
I'm right aren't I ?

I'm also totally gutted as we couldn't really afford it but needed it and now it's ruined and it's really upset me.
He didn't keep the receipt so can't claim on contents insurance can we ?

OP posts:
Original poster
Hedgehog80 · 08/07/2017 20:00

Nothing seems to be leaking

OP posts:
nancy75 · 08/07/2017 20:01

Why would you need a receipt for home insurance? You have the item, they can come & see that you have it & it's broken

Original poster
Hedgehog80 · 08/07/2017 20:01

Dh said to "turn it on and try it"
He thinks the damage is superficial but he can't see inside from a photo and Iam obviously over anxious but all in thinking is a damaged electrical appliance may not be safe

OP posts:
TressiliansStone · 08/07/2017 20:03

Sorry, just off for dinner but here's the safety sheet for R410A: www.nationalref.com/pdf/9%20SDS410A.pdf

Appliance is definitely refrigerant and needs a professional to look at it.

Original poster
Hedgehog80 · 08/07/2017 20:03

Thankyiu

OP posts:
Original poster
Hedgehog80 · 08/07/2017 20:05

Thankyou even. I def won't be turning it in to try that's for sure

OP posts:
Rhubarbginisnotasin · 08/07/2017 20:06

He paid £300 in cash?! Who carries that amount with them!

People who prefer to use cash. Im one of them and I quite often have way more than that in my bag. I keep it in the safe in the house and take out what I need.

Motoko · 08/07/2017 20:06

I'd get it looked at by an engineer.

For future reference, you can use two cards to pay for an item. Just hand over the cards and ask for x amount to come out of one card, and the remainder on the other card. It would be cheaper than taking cash out on the credit card as the interest is more for cash.

Sunnymorningwithbacon · 08/07/2017 20:07

You should probably get an OT (?) assessment of your home to ensure it's safe for DD. Hope it's fixable

Rhubarbginisnotasin · 08/07/2017 20:07

Op, I think the damage is cosmetic. And yes, Im familiar with AC's.

Original poster
Hedgehog80 · 08/07/2017 20:09

Rhubarb would the only way to tell to be to try it and if there was a problem would it be evident immediately ?
I'm not going to try it when alone but if you think it would be straightforward to tell I may get him to check when he's back ?

OP posts:
zzzzz · 08/07/2017 20:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

user1471539048 · 08/07/2017 20:13

Why is the OP getting aggro for the way she paid it. Lifting cash from a credit card is possible. It costs but its possible. Its called a cash advance. And putting a credit card into a positive balance isnt a great idea. Its goes against a lot of card companies T&Cs.

ChameleonCircuit · 08/07/2017 20:14

DH says switch it on, run it in fan only. Is it blowing air from the front, and out of the pipe at the back? If so, give it five minutes, then turn the thermostat down, compressor should start, if everything's ok, within 2-3 minutes it should start blowing cold air. If the condenser has been punctured (that's what your pic is of) then it will have just lost all the gas, it's not dangerous, it just won't cool.

BillyDaveysDaughter · 08/07/2017 20:14

We've got an AC unit like that - you'd be amazed OP, they are very resilient. That looks like minor surface damage to the condenser fins, doubt anything will leak.

All the crucial stuff should be very well contained, it would have made an almighty crash when it fell just because it's heavy.

I understand your anxiety and I'm certainly no expert, but I would at least give it a try?

BillyDaveysDaughter · 08/07/2017 20:15

Oh there you go, Chameleon has a technical response!

ChameleonCircuit · 08/07/2017 20:15

Also, our unit was much cheaper than that, and has more cooling. If you buy another, shop around.

Original poster
Hedgehog80 · 08/07/2017 20:18

Thankyou. I'll get dh to try it when he's home I'm not brave enough just in case. It was literally the only one we could find in stock when we needed it and we were desperate as the whole house was boiling, dds room unusable (it's great in winter that is so warm but not so much in summer!) and everywhere else was sold out

OP posts:
IfYouGoDownToTheWoodsToday · 08/07/2017 20:19

Does she have a smoke alarm in her bedroom?

I certainly would have one if that unit is left on while she's asleep.

Spookle · 08/07/2017 20:23

Pretty much what Chameleon said.

Be careful running it on an extension too. If you have no choise then use the shortest one you can with just one socket on it for the unit and have a safety breaker at the wall socket.

Can you look at making the position of it a bit safer? I wondered about a safety strap attached to the wall but the manual states 30cm clearance all around so that's a no go.

Good luck OP, I think it will be OK.

Original poster
Hedgehog80 · 08/07/2017 20:23

Yes we have smoke alarms on all 3 levels of the house. Mains operated and backed up with batteries

OP posts:
Spookle · 08/07/2017 20:24

choice

Original poster
Hedgehog80 · 08/07/2017 20:25

It's been difficult as the tube seems really short. Maybe I can get a longer one. I think it was more likely to fall as had been placed on a small table to enable the tube to fit out the window

OP posts:
Sunnymorningwithbacon · 08/07/2017 20:26

Standing it on a table with an extension lead is really not a good idea and the same thing will happen again.

Before you plug it in or turn it on your need to sort out the positioning of it better (hence me suggesting an OT assessment)

missiondecision · 08/07/2017 20:26

Perhaps best dot to use it. It could leak.
It shouldn't be switched on for a while after It has been moved anyway.
I phone Argos for some advice.

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