[Kasaki3]

Our AC has not been cooling well. Technician came out today and said it was practically out of Freon (R22) most likely had a leak and would cost $ just to add coolant. He got the compressor running for now, did not check for a leak/leak location. Recommendation was to get a new unit (inside and outside). Outside unit is from 2003 and no idea on age of inside coil. The drain pan on inside coil has a leak but we have worked that out with a bit of shimming and unit has worked fine since, till now.

So is it even worth considering fixing this system and if so is there an alternative to R22 that could be used? Is it just time to bite the bullet and get a new one?

 

[Bazooka Joe]

Brand and serial number ( if available ) of indoor coil, Air Handler can tell built date. If indoor coil is older than 2003 thinking replace all new.

What is your system inside, a furnace with a cased or uncased coil or an Air Handler?

20+ years is a good run, especially not knowing exactly where the leak(s) are located. If your down south a 20 year unit is a high mileage unit, not so much in northern states.

May want to consider a new system, get several bids, prices vary depending on what your interested in, bare bone single stage, two stage or variable speed, the nicer the nice the higher the price..

Yes I believe R407 is a alternate to R22, probably more alternatives also.

Depending on SEER2 your considering there are money in your pocket rebates from your state and the Federal Tax Credits.

:.02: worth

 

[vin lashon]

No prices in posts please, as per site rules.

 

[Kasaki3]

I think its a cased coil. it sits in its own case on top of the furnace (natural gas). The furnace houses the blower and circuit board. The label on the case is too worn to read but given we have paperwork for pretty much every appliance in the house (including multiple iterations of the outside unit) it very well may be the original coil from 1970 when the house was built. We are in North Carolina so pretty hot and humid.

Thank you for taking the time to reply.

 

[Kasaki3]

Sorry will edit and remove.

 

[Bazooka Joe]

I think its a cased coil. it sits in its own case on top of the furnace (natural gas). The furnace houses the blower and circuit board. The label on the case is too worn to read but given we have paperwork for pretty much every appliance in the house (including multiple iterations of the outside unit) it very well may be the original coil from 1970 when the house was built. We are in North Carolina so pretty hot and humid.

Thank you for taking the time to reply.

How old is the furnace then?

 

[Kasaki3]

How old is the furnace then?

The natural gas furnace is only 3-4 yrs old. We recently replaced the old oil furnace.

 

[Bazooka Joe]

Thinking get a new cased coil and outdoor unit, you probably can match a system to the brand furnace as it’s not that old and probably a current model especially if it has a ECM blower motor, if you want to stay with that brand furnace, worst case if you go different brand A/C you can match outdoor unit to coil, as long as your not going super high with the SEER2, as efficiently drops if trying to match a high SEER model to a generic furnaces.

Contractors should be telling you that and not letting you believe the “up to” ratings of outdoor unit is what you’re going to get for efficiency levels. Shouldn’t be to terribly expensive as your replacing the outdoor unit and a coil only. All your electrical outside is there already. The furnace has the motor etc.

Contractors should know about matching systems to AHRI ( Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute ) standards. All you need is a AHRI number to check ratings and certificate.

https://www.ahridirectory.org/

You can go Heat Pump also as a Hybrid system, warmer winter weather HP runs and as outdoor temperature drops it will switch to Furnace, then vise versa when outside temperatures rise. Not every one likes Heat Pumps as the supply air temperatures are cooler than gas heat, and the defrost thingy. Need to keep snow accumulation off of outdoor unit etc. etc. I suppose having oil heat, you live in a snow belt state. Oil is still popular in New England and surrounding areas.

 

[dougfamous]

A 20 year old R22 unit really leaves you two choices: slap a bandage on it and hope it lasts a while, or bite the bullet and replace it. It's not worth the time and expense to find the leak and try to repair it.

Keep in mind that leaks don't get better on their own. Even if you get it going for the summer the leak will get worse until it's too much to recharge. Your tech could try adding a leak sealer with the recharge, they don't always work but if you're lucky it may slow the leak down more.

I know its hard to hear but it's time to replace it.

 

[ga-hvac-tech]

If it were me... I would bite the bullet and get a new coil/AC unit... it sounds like the furnace is not that old, so it can stay.

I would not chase high efficiency... unless the furnace is a higher model (variable speed or modulating)...
You can post the make and model of the furnace and we can tell you what level the furnace is.