Yeah that's R22 and while that is a builder grade Trane unit that is probably out of warranty by now... typically those were sold with 5 year parts warranty. Because R22 Freon was already obsolete by 2013. With that said, this condenser 'could' last another 10 years, provided the coil repair work is done appropriately. The replacement coil needs to be a coil suitable for R22 / any coil can be retro fitted to work, but skill is required in choosing the coil. Typically home warranty companies are known for tom foolery. If the condenser was a dry condenser (nitrogen gas) it would say it was on the data plate in some manner. That's the down side in anything Trane or American Standard because they were one of the last manufacture's to switch over to R410a refrigerant. The R22 conundrum only effects you if there is a leak... otherwise it doesn't matter much. While the cost for it will only go up now that production has ceased, it's serviceable life is still around another 10 years or so. Without United Technologies Corporation heavy investment in R410a AC equipment development we would be no where near where we are today. R410a equipment has been available now for almost 20 years if you can imagine that.

thanks for the reply yes, 5year parts warranty, labor wasnt cheap though, nor was the freon problem is (or so I hear) carrier and trane have a patent on the all tin evap coils (the "good" ones) - at least until it expires I will say that the lennox coil that was installed this time around looked like it actually passed QA. The All-style that was removed was a sad looking piece of aluminum - esp at the welds and IMPORTANT points. I am in the metal mfg bus and it truly was JUNK. Let that be known. I'd acknowledge if it looked like an install error but it looks like my homebuilder opted for the cheaper evap coil but said evap coil should have never passed a QA pressure test. I really am surprised I have not heard others chime in. This issue is becoming more and more popular according to my research and all my phone calls. My father was flabbergasted in this failure - "My old r22 system has been fine for 9 years" he said. Allstyle Evaporator Coils are Junk 410

The evap coil has multiple leaks. They used a sensor and it went nuts in about 4 different spots as it got near. They didn't offer a repair and just said to replace the ac unit. I know a few neighbors who did replace just the evap, around 1500 dollars. If it is just going to buy me 2-3 years until something else major goes, then it doesn't make a heck of a lot of sense. That being said, I would still rather not spend big money if I don't have to. As for how long in the house? Who knows. I didn't think I would be here this long.

Thanks for being so prompt tigerdunes! OK. I spoke to my hvac company and they did indicate that I would not get much of a rebate ($50 for the performance series- what a joke!) unless I get the infinity ($1000 + $1500 tax credit). Unfortuntely, I don't think I can count on the tax credit so this is a big $1500 deal. My upstairs is about 2300 sq ft with an area open to the main floor (large area about 30X20). The existing system worked ok. During very hot days (90+), I had to close the doors in my bathroom (where there is a 12x12 return) because it is above the garage; closing the door kept it cooler. The other bedrooms also get hot because we get full southern exposure but the temperature seemed ok. Again, if I left the bedroom doors open, the air would escape and if I kept the doors closed, it got really cold(BTW I also have a 20x20 return in the hallway upstairs). The same goes for the heat. I would say that I like to keep my a/c between 73-75 (I have an old honeywell mercury-based thermostat - which I know is not very accurate) and during the winter, I like to keep it between 70-73. This seemed comfortable. You are right - my system has a built-in component for an electronic filter system which is not used. I use regular filtrete filters and replace them every 3 months. For the upstairs unit, I do not use a filter. Instead, I have filters in the 12x12 and 20x20 returns. My a/c guy told me that I could get the Infinity system 80% with a 58CVA furnace + infinity control for $9200. Since I am not sure that I can get the tax credit, it would cost $8200. Is this still worth it? My furnace still has about 8 years to go!? He did tell me that a dual fuel heat pump system would cost about $10,300! Is this what you mean by a heat pump condenser or is this just a specific component within the infinity package? I really want to do the right thing but I do not want to waste money. I pay about $2400/yr for electricity and about $2000 for gas. For such a big place, I am not sure if this is too high or if I can really save that much with an infinity system. What do you think?