Five months after moving into a newly constructed house, one homeowner says the air-conditioning system has already had four major breakdowns since an April move-in.

The situation has them wondering how many warranty repairs are too many.

Here's what to know

Their account, posted on Reddit, says the system has already cycled through several major problems, including a shutdown in which the compressor stopped even though the thermostat was still calling for cooling, an earlier refrigerant-loss issue, a TXV metering failure, and a drainage installation problem involving the upstairs air handler.

The original poster asked, "Would it be reasonable to escalate this with the builder and ask for a full replacement, or is that overreacting?"

People responding in the thread said that level of trouble is not what they would expect from a new system.

One user wrote, "All of the issues mentioned above are installation problems, not equipment defects."

Another user added, "Not normal to have that many problems in under a year."

Who caused the failures matters, since responsibility can shift depending on whether the problem is defective equipment or bad installation. A homeowner can end up caught between the manufacturer, the builder, and the contractor, especially after a one-year labor warranty expires.

If you're already weighing repair versus replacement, Palmetto's Comfort Plan network can help you find efficient heating and cooling solutions for your home and connect you with vetted installers. For many households, a modern high-efficiency HVAC or heat pump can cut waste and lower monthly energy costs.

More background

One user summed up that frustration this way: "Sounds like new construction done by the lowest bidder."

Another user wrote, "Oily residue can indicate a refrigerant leak."

Problems like that can mean more technician visits, more time waiting on repairs, and much higher expenses if the system is still acting up after warranty coverage runs out.

What can be done?

In the Reddit thread, one user advised the homeowner to "demand documentation every time something is done."

Keeping those records can make it easier to argue for a stronger remedy if the trouble continues.

One user also suggested getting a second opinion so another professional can document any installation issues and help determine whether the builder or contractor might extend the labor warranty.

If replacement makes more sense, Palmetto can be part of that next step. Its Comfort Plan could make a major upgrade more manageable.

You can drive costs down even further by pairing solar panels with electric appliances such as efficient HVACs and heat pumps. EnergySage makes it easy to find the best solar system and installer for your home and budget, saving you up to $10,000 on installations.

Where can I learn more?

Each article gets at the same headaches homeowners run into when an AC system stops doing its job: higher bills, repeat service calls, and the question of whether you're dealing with basic maintenance or a bigger problem. They also show how seemingly minor issues can get expensive fast in the middle of summer.

• In Florida, HVAC pros warn viral AC saver gadgets can waste money.

• One household turned an AC leak problem into compost water instead of runoff.

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