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Our rate for electricity has changed and will effectively cost me about 3X more than what I previously enjoyed, it's motivated me to look into finally addressing my oversized energy-hogging 20 year old 5-ton Carrier AC unit. I had the furnace, evaporative coil, and ducts replaced about 8 years ago resulting in a mismatched coil capacity. I'm told the evaporative coil would best be matched with a 3-4 ton condenser coil, not my current 5-ton. I get very cold air and a lot of condensate (RH is typically 60-80% in my area).
In the interest of saving money, should I consider buying a used 4-ton AC unit? I currently have R22 running through the coils, should I stay with an R22 AC unit or should I switch to R410? If I switch to R410, how difficult and expensive is the purging process to ensure reliable operation of the new AC system? I'd like to ask here before I talk to a HVAC contractor.
Our rate for electricity has changed and will effectively cost me about 3X more than what I previously enjoyed, it's motivated me to look into finally addressing my oversized energy-hogging 20 year old 5-ton Carrier AC unit. I had the furnace, evaporative coil, and ducts replaced about 8 years ago resulting in a mismatched coil capacity. I'm told the evaporative coil would best be matched with a 3-4 ton condenser coil, not my current 5-ton. I get very cold air and a lot of condensate (RH is typically 60-80% in my area).
In the interest of saving money, should I consider buying a used 4-ton AC unit? I currently have R22 running through the coils, should I stay with an R22 AC unit or should I switch to R410? If I switch to R410, how difficult and expensive is the purging process to ensure reliable operation of the new AC system? I'd like to ask here before I talk to a HVAC contractor.
You cannot legally install an R22 unit since 2015; the DOE closed the loophole with "dry charge" units when the 2015 energy efficiency standards went into effect. Since 2015 the energy efficiency standards require that the advertised SEER rating of condensers be tested in specific system combinations. Since the EPA does not allow complete installation of R22 systems, there is no tested system combination for the dry charge R22 condensers thus they cannot comply with 2015 energy efficiency regulations.
Sounds like it’s “bite-the-bullet” time- get a matched system.
And to know you are getting the best possible system for your house- insist on having a Manual-J calculation done. Not a RE calculation that goes something like…
“‘X’sq/ft=‘Y’tonnage+extras” Really good HVAC companies don’t work that way!
The region you live can effect what you may need as well as the size and type of home. I generally don’t like heat pump systems but they can help save money in the winter in warmer climate areas.
Have a reputable company come out and do an estimate on your system. The new stuff may be the wrong size for your home or the old stuff may be too big for your home. Find out for sure before ordering anything. We had our entire home’s central air system replaced including the air ducts. We called a reputable local company. They measured our home and looked over our existing system. They then gave us a selection of options to choose from including their most expensive to their lowest priced option. They didn’t push any one particular model, just a particular capacity.
Is it legal to install a used R22 compressor? IMO, the only reason to consider a used AC compressor would be if you were planning to move in 6 months, and you needed a "cheap as possible" stopgap solution, although I can understand the desire to avoid replacing the whole system (if that is indeed possible).
Does the square footage of your home dictate that you need a 5-ton unit? If not (i.e., if a 4 ton unit has adequate capacity), and you have a 4-ton evaporative coil, then I guess the decision to go with a 4 ton is a no-brainer. On the other hand, if the size of your home dictates that a 5-ton compressor is required, going with a 4 ton (which, as you say, is matched to the capacity of the evaporator) may not be a bad idea. I would assume that it would run longer cycles than the 5-ton (drawing less power, of course), meaning that the house may take longer to cool down. But the longer run time may also help with humidity removal. Overall power consumption may actually be better. Its a little like a "poor mans" 2-stage compressor, only it always runs at the "low" setting
When we replaced our 30 year old unit with a new Trane 19 seer 4 ton unit our electric bill was cut in half.
^^^^^^this
I had a tired unit, a/c swore my electric bill would cut in half............it did!
Old tired unit was struggling to keep up, running longer than a new one would have to so the savings was going to happen. Plus the new one is more efficient.
OP, I understand that you are trying to save money, but I wouldn't do what you are proposing. You've gone this piecemeal route already, and you are back at it? For your sanity and comfort's sake, please find a reputable company to replace the whole thing. Get multiple proposals, study reviews to find a good company that would supply a reliable system.
That's how you save money long term.
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