I have heard that if you take two systems that are the same other than one being R22 and the other being 410a that the 410a unit will outperform the r22 by a fairly wide margin on heating and cooling. I was told it was such a difference that if you had a 3.5ton r12 unit that you can usually replace it with a 3ton r410a system and have the same level of comfort. I know there would be a difference but I didn't think it would be that much. I do realize that on the home situation he is comparing an old r22 probably low seer system to a new r410a 13+ seer and being able to drop .5 tons and realize that some of it would probably be by SEER rating difference but over 25% drop in system size seems extreme. If this is even partially true it makes little sense to me to buy any new r22 system.

To clarify and relieve some of the scares created: R-22 used in production of equipment ceases (if not earlier by manufacturer choice) Jan 1 2010. From then on till 2015 the gas will continue to be produced and imported for servicing existing equipment. Jan 1, 2015 till 2020 it will be produced and imported for servicing existing refrigeration and air conditioning applications only. Jan 1, 2020 production and import is banned and only recycled/reclaimed and stockpiled R-22 quantities available for servicing existing equipment. Yes the first CFC phase-out caused some panic and I remember $50 jugs of R-12 selling for as much as $900 but, the industry was sleeping and the manufacturers were not prepared, perhaps in denial. I even kept one for years to service my autos and refrigerator but guess what, never used or needed it since I realized I didnÂt own anything that used it. This scarcity eventually instituted excessive pricing/reclaiming & recycling costs and forced the development of "drop-in" replacement refrigerants, some good some bad, however with testing comes success. I remember the early days when you could sell back used refrigerant until they realized itÂs cost to transport & process was more than it was worth, leading contractors to have to pay to dispose of legally. While any intelligent HVAC dealer would have access to R-22 till at least 2025, the advancement of drop-in R-22 equivalents will surely be available. Puron refrigerant (R-410) started its usage and marketing to the environmentally conscious person. While R-12Âs make up consisted of considerably more CFCÂs than R-22, making it first on the hit list among a few others, it is now known and shared that the effects of refrigerants play a minor role in the ozone layer depletion. The effects of refrigerants and their release (intentional or not) is minor compared to a volcano eruption, manufacturing and factory discharges and every day uses of aerosol products in and around the home. Here is a link that might be useful: CFC Phaseout

There's alot of profit,labor & overhead built into these options. For a rental-unit you might think about one of the less expensive brands that every manufacturer has, and also consider other installers - Heil, Payne, Goodman, etc all make a decent product with a decent parts warranty period - ten years is common. R22 complete systems can be had on ebay for $1500 delivered, R-410 isn't much more expensive - and the labor to install one will be whatever you'll pay - personally, I'd think $500~ish if you're resourceful and negotiate well. Although there is always a problem or difficulty on an install, 95% of them are done in ONE day - How much do YOU make in a day? No need to pay the HVAC guys like they are rock stars. I doubt you'ld be pleased to pay $2200 for a mismatched condenser & labor, and then realize you have a marginal, mismatched and un-warrantied system, and you've paid (conservatively) $250 PER HOUR for the labor to install it. I'll eat my shoe if a condenser-only replacement takes more than 4 hours. Likely TWO hours if they cut some corners. As for R-22, it is going away, but it's still being manufactured for NINE more years. There isn't a huge tax on it like R12 had, and it's WIDELY used, both commercially and in residential situations. Right now, many Hvac guys charge $100 for the first pound of freon - their cost is closer to $10 - this is just taking advantage of consumers that don't know how much it really costs. It isn't rare or difficult to procure, but they charge alot because consumers allow them to.

Run what you have. You don't need to buy a matching airhandler now. Most of the airhandlers now a days designed to run off either R-22 & R410A. When we as installers go to pick up the airhandlers, most of the standard units come with a flowrater/orifice designed to run with the older style R-22 outdoor units. If we're setting a higher efficient R-22 outdoor unit, we ask for a R-22 expansion valve that matches the outdoor units capacity, to put on the coil in the airhandler. If we're setting a even higher efficient R-410A outdoor unit, we ask for a matching R-410A expansion valve to be installed on the coil in the same airhandler. Reguardless of what refrigerant the outdoor unit uses, the airhandler will be the same. Don't let them fool you by saying there will be no more R-22 airhandlers available. If efficiency isn't as important to you as using what you already have, then don't worry about it. Your overall efficiency might not be a full 13 seer or whatever the outdoor unit is rated but it will work, with the proper expansion valve. IMO Hope this helps