Dry-charged condenser units (furnace, AC, installing, leak)
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Our house is ten years old, and has R-22 A/C units. The condensers (outside) are a bit of an experimental water-cooled system built by a company (Freus) that is no longer in business, and this part of the system is on its last legs.
We are faced with the dilemma of changing everything to R-410A, or just replacing the condensers outside using dry-charged R-22 units. I've read about and think I understand the phase out plan for R-22.
Replacing just the condensers is cheaper and far less hassle. It's doubtful we will be in this house for even a few years, so the real question isn't how long the old air handlers will last, but whether or not a buyer will care that much either way, as long as the A/C is operational. Any thoughts?
Our house is ten years old, and has R-22 A/C units. The condensers (outside) are a bit of an experimental water-cooled system built by a company (Freus) that is no longer in business, and this part of the system is on its last legs.
We are faced with the dilemma of changing everything to R-410A, or just replacing the condensers outside using dry-charged R-22 units. I've read about and think I understand the phase out plan for R-22.
Replacing just the condensers is cheaper and far less hassle. It's doubtful we will be in this house for even a few years, so the real question isn't how long the old air handlers will last, but whether or not a buyer will care that much either way, as long as the A/C is operational. Any thoughts?
Well, the new minimum seer rating is 14. There may be a few 13 seer dry units left out there but be aware that installing a 13 or 14 seer unit on an old coil, will not get you 13 or 14 seer, it will be less. Honestly I would just replace everything.
I have known a few people that have done the dry unit method to get by and they seem to be fine but I tend to like to do things the right way.
Selling a house with all new efficient equipment, can be a good selling point for the home. If I bought a house with a new condenser on an old evap coil and old furnace, it would be the first thing to get ripped out.
One more thing to think about, R22 is getting very expensive and if you ever develop a leak somewhere in the system, you will be paying through the nose to have it recharged.
Forget all the nay-sayers out there. Just replace your bad condenser with a new dry unit R22 condenser.
I did this two years ago and it works just fine! You'll save a lot of money in the process.
R22 doesn't need to be replaced unless there is a leak. No leak, no problem....
The indoor/outdoor combo won't comply with the code. If you get caught(inspection for sale of house), you'll be on the hook to meet code as it stands upon getting caught. That means if you slap in a 13 seer now and get caught next year, you'll have to rip out the 13 seer CU for a 14 and the 10(?) seer coil for a 14.
Several mfgs are rolling out 14 seer dry shipped units soon.
The change out you're considering will operate just fine and there are r22 substitutes that will be available for the foreseeable future that are a lot more affordable than r22. An r22 substitute will void the mfg warranty though.
btuhack, I don't know what you're talking about. There are plenty of older homes that still have functional 10 SEER units. So you're telling me that if they sell their home, they'll have to upgrade to the current standard? bologna
It may be a negotiating point by the buyers who want a newer system, but the sellers can just say 'no'- take it or leave it.
Our house is ten years old, and has R-22 A/C units. The condensers (outside) are a bit of an experimental water-cooled system built by a company (Freus) that is no longer in business, and this part of the system is on its last legs.
We are faced with the dilemma of changing everything to R-410A, or just replacing the condensers outside using dry-charged R-22 units. I've read about and think I understand the phase out plan for R-22.
Replacing just the condensers is cheaper and far less hassle. It's doubtful we will be in this house for even a few years, so the real question isn't how long the old air handlers will last, but whether or not a buyer will care that much either way, as long as the A/C is operational. Any thoughts?
hikernut, I'm sorry to hear your Freus system didn't last long. I'm familiar with the unit's technology.
Why do you think the unit failed? was maintenance a hassle?
btuhack, I don't know what you're talking about. There are plenty of older homes that still have functional 10 SEER units. So you're telling me that if they sell their home, they'll have to upgrade to the current standard? bologna
You're not paying attention. Equipment INSTALLED TODAY must have a combined SEER of 13. A new condenser with an old 10 seer coil WILL NOT match up to the minimum 13 SEER.
If you get busted in 2018 for un-permitted work, your work must comply with 2018 codes, not the codes as of the date of install. 14 minimum seer is just around the corner so it's reasonable to expect to be held to a combined 14 seer next year whether it be installed then or now w/o a permit.
That's the way it works whether you are aware or not.
Housing inspectors don't have a clue how to check AC units for proper operation let alone SEER matching coils! Haha that was funny, thanks for making me laugh.
hikernut, I'm sorry to hear your Freus system didn't last long. I'm familiar with the unit's technology.
Why do you think the unit failed? was maintenance a hassle?
Deposits from the hard water in Phoenix clogged up some nozzles and coils. The guy who came to service it said he's never seen one more than seven years old. Ours is ten.
An interesting idea, but fails in practice.
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