Why not put R22 back into it ?
Often imitated never duplicated

 

Honestly the Price of R-22. I received an estimate of x dollars to repair and replenish the system with R-22 and it's just a lot of money to put in a 21 year old system. There's no real option that doesn't suck.

 

I agree. R-22 only.
I’ve had a few systems died shortly after using MO 99
R-427A should get an oil change.
At that age consider replacing it.

 

No prices in posts please, as per site rules.

 

So how much cheaper is the alternative.
Percentage wise not dollar amount.
Your system holds 8 lb approximately.

 

Almost 50% less than R-22 including the repair. Plus I just found out that the Gov is phasing out R-410 starting next year, but anything I buy today will be R-410 which makes the bandaid solution more appealing. patch it up and save for a new system with the new approved refrigerant next year sometime. Now just have to decide which alternate refrigerant to go with.

 

I like 407c, they say add a little poe oil but I have done several, some with 4oz supco88 and some with nothing. All are doing great. Out of those two mentioned mo99 is the only one that I am familiar with and haven’t seen issues with it either. I wouldn’t hesitate to use a drop in if it were mine especially since now they are talking about ditching the 410a and going with R32 or R454b which will make the 410a price to go up also.

 

I spoke with a technician recommended by a friend yesterday who also suggested 407. He told me that he has used it in the past without issue. He repaired my friends unit about 6 years ago in a similar situation and has not had any issues since the repair was made.

 

If 407 is used without oil additive, the compressor will not live long.

 

Keep this in mind, if you use an alternative, and there is a leak...

EVERY TIME you are a little low, you need to remove and replace the entire charge...

With 22, only what is lost need be replaced.

 

R-407?
A, B, C

 

C. I am a one man company and bought a bunch of 22 back when it was dirt cheap so fortunately still have several tanks and offer my loyal customers a really good price for it. It’s still my favorite.

 

Consider a R407C new condensing unit ( straight A/C thou as they don’t make them in Heat Pumps ) comes with a 5 year parts, coil and compressor manufacturer warranty, and I believe one lb. of R407 C refrigerant in the condenser. Probably cost would be somewhat comparable, than repairs and whatever refrigerant you decide on a 21 year old system. Course that depends on if you have electric heat in your Air Handler and its sized to carry the load solely and your state has cheap enough electric rates.

https://www.guardianhomecomfort.com/equipment/r-407c-systems.aspx 2024

Parent Company Johnson Controls, which owns York and a bunch of other HVAC brands.

 

We've used R407c for 9 years in our school district with no problems!
Straight cool and heat pumps.
Just added a little Supco 88 for oil return.
:cheers:

 

Exactly and if I am not wrong it’s the only replacement that many compressors, txv’s label as ok. My experience has been the same, 4oz Supco88 which is dirt cheap.

 

I would, and routinely do, use R-407C in place of R-22.

For residential -esque systems I have never found a flaw.
Switch to POE oil - no problem.
Leave mineral oil and add a few ounces of POE oil to it - no problem.
Leave mineral oil and add a few ounces of Supco 88 to it - no problem.
Do nothing and just run R-407C over mineral oil - no problem.
The unit running over my head right now is a straight R-22 system - mineral oil in the compressor - running R-407C - and I put it together at least five years ago.

It is my opinion that a properly sized piped Refrigeration system MIGHT have oil return issues. But residential and light commercial systems are so first-cost design-driven that their piping is always undersized with the resulting high vapor line velocities. And so the resulting turbulence effectively resolves any oil return concerns. <g>

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