Replace R-22 unit or upgrade?

[kenmac]

Is he going to replace the current evap. coil with the new dry charged condensing unit ?.. If not. what are you going to do when the old evap. coil springs a leak ?

By the time you have to go back and replace the old leaking evap coil with a new coil and re charge. you will be ahead to install all new..

I have had customers take this gamble and loose after I had to return and install a new evap coil, pull another vacuum and refill with 22... R22 ain't cheap these days !

 

[murph1]

Why would you go backwards?

Assume you also had to change the furnace indoors? or at least the coil?

Why is that backwards? The units I bought have scroll compressors. I have 6 jugs of r-22.You should ask your Uncle what he would do.

 

[kenmac]

I had to re read your post.. I believe you are saying the indoor coil and furnace/air handler will be new regardless of R410A or R22.. If that is correct, then If I were you , go with R22. It should last a while..

If the current condenser isn't getting much refrigerant back to the comp.. If must have high head pressure.. There could be an issue with the evap.. coil causing this.

But what do I know ? I'm in front this computer screen

 

[LD1]

Not sure which one you are calling the evap and which one the condenser.

Only the outdoor stuff will be replaced if I go r22 dry. No need to replace indoor stuff.

If I go with 410a, then the indoor stuff I already have is not compatible. Thus it would all need changed, and cost twice as much

 

[kenmac]

The indoor coil is the evaporator coil.. The outdoor is condenser..

If you only replace the condenser with R22 and next yr your evap coil springs a leak.. You'll have to replace it.. You could have as much $$ tied up in the R22 system as a new 410A system if this happens.. It's a gamble....

I have replaced customers condenser with a dry R22 unit (at their request). Then , the next yr. the evap coil sprang a leak.. I then put in a new evap coil for them... Had they replaced the entire system from the start.. they would have been $$ ahead..

That old (current) evap coil is going to go.. It's just a matter of when.

If you are getting low refrigerant to the compressor now.. That would indicate to me that you have problems in the evap coil and not the condenser.. Like I said though... I viewing this from a computer screen

 

[LD1]

Just wanted to update everyone e and ask more opinions.

Talked to HVAC guy Monday. He highly advises replacing the indoor coil as well. He is afraid there could be a blockage in there or other issues. Which caused the previous owner (with a different HVAC company) to replace the compressor.

So that said, I told him to get me a quote for the outdoor unit + indoor coil.

He got back to me yesterday afternoon. $2650, half now half when done. That's for a 2-ton 410a unit.

I asked about 1.5 ton units and his words to me were "I cannot find one in a brand I like" apparently 1.5 tons aren't that common anymore.

So what are some thoughts on this? Price? Sound right? Its more than I was wanting to spend, but if I call and maybe save a few bucks elsewhere I am sure I will still get a bill from this guy. He was out back in winter trying to diagnose and add r22. He said he wouldn't charge for that and just be part of the total for a new system.

 

[LD1]

I forgot to mention that it is a comfortmaker by carrier

 

[Gafn]

LD1

Having been the child of an owner of an AC company - I have many years of experience (father took me to work starting at 11, and heck I learned a trade)....
Be very careful of a "Blockage" - AC is a closed loop system, so the only way anything can get into the system to block anything is if something came apart, like the last compressor - valves, piston... etc... The R22 systems uses a capillary system to diffuse the Freon into the evap coil. The holes in this are tiny... in the micron range, this causes flash expansion of the liquid into a gas. If these are blocked - the evap coil is wasted, and you are money ahead to replace the coil.
R 22 has a target in 2015 of a 90% reduction in manufacture and use, and a 100% reduction by 2030, so R22 will still available, however expect the price to start skyrocketing.

Attention must be made when over-sizing an AC unit. the AC unit must be able to run an appropriate amount of time, to exchange enough air over the coils, so as to de-humidify the room/house. A over sized system will run to short an amount of time, and reach the desired temperature without adequate air exchange to remove the humidity. I don't know why your humidity levels are like there, but in GA, you want your system to be able to extract the humidity, as we have a high level of it.

One thing you may not have considered... split units from Mitsubishi work fantastically well, and the average mechanic with electrical knowledge, a set of gauges and a vacuum pump can install them. Google them if you have the knowledge and skills you can save a fair amount of $$. Of course these are best when you don't have existing duct work, like in a new shop, as they only require a hole large enough for the freon pipes, and electrical.

I would install new - including the evap coils, if a blockage is suspected, else you will fight this system, and cause headaches with the tenants.

Good luck

 

[Buppies]

We faced similar problem elected to go with completely new system 15 Seer 3.5 ton unit from Trane. The difference in price from 13 seer to 15 seer was $400 dollars and over ten years $40 per year. The old outdoor unit was trash due to corrosion and difficult to find unit to mate up with older air handler. Everybody's price for various units was basically the same and we have had good luck with Traneheat and A/C

 

[LD1]

Going from 1.5 ton to 2 ton on an 1100sq ft apartment I wouldnt consider oversized.

And the contamination from previous compressor failure is what this hvac guy is suspecting too.

I am just wondering about the price. Does 2650 seem reasonable for that 2-ton unit installed with new inside coil?

OR should I shop around for someone willing to install a lesser quality (perhaps), 1.5 ton unit?

Not too concerned about seer rating. They are efficient and well insulated apartments. And I do not pay the electric bill. So I will see no savings of a higher eff unit