Suit says A/C units in new home are defective

Two Orange County residents have filed suit against an air conditioner manufacturer, alleging the air conditioning units installed in their home were defective.

Gerald and Kristi Lawrence allege they purchased two air conditioning units manufactured and warranted by defendant The Coleman Co. and by defendant Johnson Controls for their new home.

Shortly after the units' installation, however, the Lawrences began experiencing problems. For example, the air produced was not as cool as desired, according to the complaint filed July 22 in Jefferson County District.

Repeatedly, the Lawrences hired repairmen to fix the units, to replace the defective evaporation coils and to recharge them with Freon, the suit states. However, they are not satisfied with the air conditioners' quality, the complaint says.

"Condensation eventually destroys the air handler, the insulation integrity inside the units and the electronics, as well as consequential problems associated with water extruding from the unit and surrounding property," the suit states. "Further, the excess running of the units due to the above-described defects, has put such wear and tear on the units as to render their life expectancies unreasonably short."

In their complaint, the Lawrences also name the distributor of the air conditioners, Johnstone Controls, as a defendant.

The Lawrences are seeking an unspecified judgment, plus interest at the maximum legal rate, costs, attorneys' fees and other relief the court deems just.

They will be represented by Lance P. Bradley of McPherson, Hughes, Bradley, Wimberley, Steele and Chatelain in Port Arthur.

The case has been assigned to Judge Bob Wortham, 58th District Court.

Case No. A190-560