Anyone here knowledgeable in HVAC?

[road1will]

I had to get a new furnace in my new-to-me home last week, and while the HVAC company was out here I had them take a look at my AC unit. Like my furnace, it is a 24 year old Trane. The AC unit worked this summer, but I only used it one or two days a week, since we were not living here over the summer, just doing work a couple days a week.

The HVAC installer reccomended I go ahead an replace the AC unit by the end of this year before the regulations on freon change. He said after the first of next year, the new units will be much more expensive, almost double, because of the new freon regulations.

I am tempted to go ahead an do it, because I'm sure my AC unit is on its last legs being 24 years old.

Does anyone know if the price increase after the first of the year is true?

 

[I HATE PONIES]

Would I have to have "actual experince" to answer?

 

[road1will]

Haha no, just actual knowledge.

 

[ratboy]

yes they are changing refrigerants. i dont know what that is going to do to cost. it will however make the obsolete refrigerant (r22) expensive until depleted.

 

[jhk07]

the "new" units are already in manufacture and have been for awhile.
An R22 3 ton AC is about 7.5% less than a 3 ton 410a AC unit. I would replace the unit if you have the dough... 24 years old is OLD and inefficient.... He is yanking your chain on the cost i believe. I sell the R22 all day long still.... and that is the refrigerant on the way out.
I believe i "smell" an up sell.

 

[DiscoJen]

I don't know about a price increase, but I just installed mine this summer and didn't hear anything about this until your post.

I purchased my unit direct from the mfg warehouse and did the bulk of the install myself. I only hired an HVAC company to do the line hookup/brazing and test the system. I saved a ton this way.

 

[brianhoberg]

Jen's help has been appreciated in the past with HVAC. We bought a Carrier direct from the factory and was about 25% less than what we would have paid from someone else. A friend of mine (property manager of various homes) knew a guy who would install it with some help. So, I helped, saved money there as well. sucks when they go out, but unless its a specific part you can change, you have to replace it. Ours was 20 years old, so it went the way of the landfill.

 

[Levi]

This is correct. In 2010 R-22 will not be allowed for new equipment. You may look into a heat pump. I worked for my grandpa's HVAC business as a teen through college and still occasionally do a job here and there and I can't remember the last time I installed an air conditioner. We install mostly air to air exchange heat pumps on gas furnaces. You can run the heat pump until the outdoor temperature gets down to where the heat pump loses it efficiency and then heat with gas. I don't know if this is the best choice where you are located though, you probably don't have to heat much. Depends on how much you use your furnace and natural gas/electricity prices.

If you want to install an air conditioner yourself you could also buy a unit with precharged lines. The refrigerant lines are threaded and there is no soldering or charging required.

 

[road1will]

I've got the dough to go ahead and do it, I guess im just trying to weigh out the pros and cons of a unit that uses the new refrigrant vs. the old.

 

[adriatic04]

talking about ones AC unit is like talking about your rover...youre going to get bit in the ass and shown who is boss. If I say one thing about mine it will shit the bed tomorrow.

All I know is it is usually less expensive to do AC and furnace all in one.

 

[ratboy]

I've got the dough to go ahead and do it, I guess im just trying to weigh out the pros and cons of a unit that uses the new refrigrant vs. the old.

serviceability and parts.

 

[jhk07]

It is a sealed system. in a perfect world it wont leak, therefore neither the R22 or R410A should need replaced. R22 per lb is actually cheaper than R410a today. But that market is about like crude oil, copper or any other commodity. I am sure R22 is bound to go up eventually. the only major component in an outdoor unit is the compressor..... lots of times it fails due to crappy install.

 

[bribassguy]

Don't use my buddies guy... he charges a $50 service fee and $85/lb for coolant.

OUCH!!!!

 

[road1will]

Well, I ended up going with a 410a unit.

I feel like I got an awesome deal. Amana 4 Ton 15 Seer unit, all new lines, new coil, new thermostat, new pad, and installation for $2568.

 

[Levi]

Well, I ended up going with a 410a unit.

I feel like I got an awesome deal. Amana 4 Ton 15 Seer unit, all new lines, new coil, new thermostat, new pad, and installation for $2568.

Sounds about right. Good to see you got a new thermostat, I hate seeing a new install with an old thermostat. A time delay thermostat is the best thing that has happened in air conditioning. I can't even count how many compressors I've seen ruined by people turning them on and off too quickly.

 

[mbrummal]

Sounds about right. Good to see you got a new thermostat, I hate seeing a new install with an old thermostat. A time delay thermostat is the best thing that has happened in air conditioning. I can't even count how many compressors I've seen ruined by people turning them on and off too quickly.

lol
I probably did that. it was really cool to see the mercury switch arc.

 

[jhk07]

Well, I ended up going with a 410a unit.

I feel like I got an awesome deal. Amana 4 Ton 15 Seer unit, all new lines, new coil, new thermostat, new pad, and installation for $2568.

you DID do good.