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Heating & Air Conditioning

Replacing outside R22 condenser with new R22 condensor

14 years ago

I have an older house that is a bit of a challenge to keep everything working. The three, yes, three outside units (Rheem 5, 3, and 1.5 ton units, circa 1988) are still running but I am guessing about half as efficiently as they could be. During the summer in TX we'll use 5000-8000 kwh and the house is normally 78 or higher and it is majority is A/C since the winter bills are minimal.

Every time I have priced updating the A/C system(s), it's a staggering cost, so nothing gets done.

I was getting my mother's unit replaced and they offered to find a new r22 unit in their warehouse and install the outside condenser only (13 seer) and it got me wondering.

SO THE MAIN QUESTION IS: Should I ignore the hype and sales to just pass on putting in three complete new units inside and outside go with changing my condensers if I can find in-stock R22 units? It seems only and about half the cost I was being given before over the years?

It seems that the payback and savings would make more sense.

Puzzled and it's getting warmer in tx.

Thanks.

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Comment (1)

ryanhughes
14 years ago
Those indoor coils are too small to work efficiently or effectively with 13 SEER outdoor units. You can have problems with the compressor (liquid returning) and overall a lack of comfort. Once you go through the trouble with replacing the outdoor units, you could have the indoor coils leak at any point. I don't think you'll be saving much if any money by doing this, so there's really no payback to be considered. Plus you are limited to R-22 systems rather than R-410A systems.

I'm not a pro with an agenda to sell--just one homeowner to another here. I think you'd b making a poor decision though I know it may sound cheaper upfront. 13 SEER coils require more surface area than the old 8 or so SEER systems you have now. The systems you have now lasted as long as they did because they were matched. 13 SEER systems hold more refrigerant and just aren't made to work with the smaller coils. Also, warranty would be void in most cases.

That's about all the convincing I can do. Carrier released an article on the matter with some technical details. Can't seem to locate it now.
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