Is refrigerant charging or replacement on this Carrier unit a DIY at home project or must I hire a lic tech? Is this a safe project that a guy can do without a huge cost and is the R410 refrigerant easily obtainable. I bought the house brand new in 2006 and I am wondering if this is something I should be concerned about. I would appreciate any help that can be offered. Thank you.

Brad

Handling and purchasing R410A requires a license. Venting to the atmosphere is against the law.It operates at very high pressures.

In the 60's installing the AC units were DIY. You could buy the units with precharged lines from Sears and install it yourself.

If there are no leaks, R410A will never have to added over the life of the unit. That's the hard part.

You also have to have good silver soldering (brazing) skills to put the line set in.

So there is recovery, flushing(maybe), inert gas pressureization, check for leaks, charging, verifying charge

Call a tech!! There that's my advice.