The compressor on our old 20 Trane XE80 (Furnace and AC) system has failed and we are looking at two options.
Option 1: we replace just the condenser (everything outside) with a Guardian/York, draining the R22 fluid and replacing it with 407A. This contractor says we don't have to touch anything inside the house or the garage - just drop in the new outside unit. Then, when the time comes for the full replacement we can reuse the outside equipment.* He says it will work because the Trane's "inside valve that meters the ac fluid which is located in the stack in the garage" has an TXV on it (this is my wording). This is the best fit for our crazy strapped budget but.........
Another company says: that if you replace the outside unit with a new unit that uses 407A we need to also change out the "inside valve" which will require taking apart the entire stack (including the furnace) which may cause other things to break. The reason the valve must be replaced is because the 407A operates under different pressure and the "flow regulators" are not the same. He also says that the rest of the system might leak under the different pressure and is adamant that this should never be done.
Option 2: get a new compressor and drop it in, leaving everything else there "as is", and drain the R22 and replace it with Nu22. Typical caveats - many other parts could go, no warranty. He really does not recommend it.
I don't have an previous relationship with either vendor so I am still feeling my way.
*He says that if we can find it in our budget to pay for the full replacement, that is the better option because they use Bryant/Carrier equipment which is better quality. So re-using the Guardian/York is like adding budget tires on a new car. However, he understands that it may be a full year before we can afford the new replacement.
Option 1: we replace just the condenser (everything outside) with a Guardian/York, draining the R22 fluid and replacing it with 407A. This contractor says we don't have to touch anything inside the house or the garage - just drop in the new outside unit. Then, when the time comes for the full replacement we can reuse the outside equipment.* He says it will work because the Trane's "inside valve that meters the ac fluid which is located in the stack in the garage" has an TXV on it (this is my wording). This is the best fit for our crazy strapped budget but.........
Another company says: that if you replace the outside unit with a new unit that uses 407A we need to also change out the "inside valve" which will require taking apart the entire stack (including the furnace) which may cause other things to break. The reason the valve must be replaced is because the 407A operates under different pressure and the "flow regulators" are not the same. He also says that the rest of the system might leak under the different pressure and is adamant that this should never be done.
Option 2: get a new compressor and drop it in, leaving everything else there "as is", and drain the R22 and replace it with Nu22. Typical caveats - many other parts could go, no warranty. He really does not recommend it.
I don't have an previous relationship with either vendor so I am still feeling my way.
*He says that if we can find it in our budget to pay for the full replacement, that is the better option because they use Bryant/Carrier equipment which is better quality. So re-using the Guardian/York is like adding budget tires on a new car. However, he understands that it may be a full year before we can afford the new replacement.
