Air conditioning & heat pump system component identification FAQs:

Older questions on how to find & identify the components or parts of an air conditioning or heat pump system, including indoor and outdoor equipment.

Page top photo: the website author (DF) checking the operating pressures at an older split system compressor/condenser unit in Poughkeepsie, New York.

This article series lists and explains the function of the basic components of an air conditioning or heat pump systems and provides detailed inspection, diagnostic, and repair advice.

Air Conditioning & Heat Pump Service Valve FAQs

These comments, questions & answers about the components in an air conditioning or heat pump system were posted originally

at AIR CONDITIONER COMPONENT PARTS - be sure to see that article.

Article Contents

• A/C SERVICE VALVE REPLACEMENT
  

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$5,000 to $17,000 to replace a "leaking king pin" (service valve) at an air conditioner?

My sister's ac went out a repairman told her it was the king pin that was leaking?

Is this repairable as we live in Phoenix Az it's 110 degrees and she cannot afford to replace it he told her that replacement was between 5 to 17 thousand dollars. - Kathy Simmons

Reply: $350 to $450 to replace an air conditioner / heat pump service valve or king valve or "king pin valve"

Kathy:

$17,000. Really? That sounds extreme for an air conditioner service valve repair or replacement cost;

Shown above are four service valves on the side of the compressor/condenser unit for a split system A/C system at our offices in New York.

Your sister should get a different A/C repair company to diagnose her problem OR to explain why instead of replacing a leaking valve they want to replace the entire system.

Most likely we're discussing the service valve that is used to add refrigerant or measure refrigerant at an air conditioner or heat pump.

The usual cost to replace an air conditioner service valve is between $350 and $450 U.S. depending on where you live.

You'll see that actually there are two service valves (king valves) on the compressor/condenser unit for an air conditioner or heat pump and as well the valve size will be matched to the refrigerant piping size or condenser unit refrigerant line connection sizes.

Shown below is a replacement 3/4" Rheem charging port service valve or "King Valve" that the service tech called a "king pin".

• A low-side or suction side service valve
• A high side or high pressure side service valve

Your sister should get another repair estimate and should confirm that the service valve is the only repair needed. The valve itself costs less than $150. U.S.

There may be an additional cost to evacuate then re-charge the refrigerant in the system as it's not possible to replace the service valve (king valve or king pin valve) without handling the refrigerant as well.

So that you can understand how this service valve is used to check, remove, or add refrigerant to an air condtioner or heat pump, below is a photo of my air conditioning gauge set connected to one of the service valves on the same compressor/condenser unit that I showed at the top of this discussion.

At REFRIGERANT CHARGING PROCEDURE  we explain how a service technician uses these valves to check system operation or to adjust the refrigerant charge in an air conditioner or heat pump.

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Thank you to our readers for their generous comments

On 2013-02-25 by billy

Great site! Very informative

On 2012-12-18 by webros_shr@yahoo.com

Kool site most helpful for student like me. Navid

On 2012-09-22 by House doctor - Oliver

excellent info, obviously by an expert, thank you.

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Continue reading at REFRIGERANT CHARGING PROCEDURE  or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see these

Recommended Articles

• A/C INSPECTION CHECKLIST - OUTDOOR UNIT
• AIR CONDITIONER COMPONENT PARTS
• AIR CONDITIONING & HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS - home
• REFRIGERANT CHARGING PROCEDURE 

Suggested citation for this web page

AIR CONDITIONER / HEAT PUMP SERVICE VALVE FAQs at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

Or see this

INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to AIR CONDITIONING & HEAT PUMPS

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Citations & References

In addition to any citations in the article above, a full list is available on request.

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