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Heating & Air Conditioning

Getting new system, should we go with R22 or Pureon?

16 years ago

We are pricing heat pumps and air conditioners. We will probably be in this house for only a couple of more years but you never know. I don't want to put in crap even if we sell.

My husband wants to stay with R22. He says the Pureon puts a lot more pressure on the pipes, valves, and the whole system. It is also more expensive. He says R22 will be around for quite a while and is not bad for the environment if it is kept in the system.

What are you using and what do you think?

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Comments (5)

garyg
16 years ago
I went with R22 in my new Goodman heat pump installed in June '07. I agree with everything your husband says (hey, we guys have to stick together even though we know that we are not really the boss in the marriage).

Best to you.
lmurf
16 years ago
As I understand it, R22 will only be available in retail systems through 2010. After that you will be able to purchase recharges through 2020. Then it is only R-410A. Just an FYI.
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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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Good points. Thanks for the inputs. Funnycide, keeping the same size unit, I could go with Retroaire or McQuay and pay close to $3k each. Replacing the wall sleeve and going to a standard 16 x 42 PTAC would be less, maybe around $2k, depending on the choice of unit. What I can't get my head around is that I can buy a 12000 btu portable or window A/C for a few hundred dollars. I know it is not an apples to apples comparison, but an order of magnitude more money? Either way, my real concern is for the longer term. If I get one of the last R22 units off the line, will it be way harder to keep going long term? Would it ultimately be cheaper to go with a new R410 unit even if it costs more now? Finally, is there likely to be any difference in long-term reliability between R22 and R410? Btw: This is my home and if one of the PTACs failed in the middle of the hot summer or cold winter, I would be screwed waiting six weeks for a replacement.
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Amy You should recheck that condenser mdl number. The mdl you listed is a 410 refrigerant mdl as designated by the first number 4. Should be a sticker at one of the side panels on the condenser that says 410a refrigerant. If you have little confidence in Trane, check with sister company Am Std dealer. They would have access to evap coil and same furnace. I would never have or recommend a mismatched or third party coil for an outside condenser especially if matching coil from same company was available. It seems you are leaning toward making a big mistake. IMO
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Take advantage of the federal tax breaks. I wouldn't want to spend money fixing an old in-efficient system. Get a new 95% efficient 2-stage gas furnace. Don't oversize. Match it with the highest efficiency single stage A/C. If you want to get fancy upgrade your A/C to heatpump. The heatpump provides very nice subtle heat on the not-so-cold days and gives you extra flexibility incase nat. gas spikes again. Heatpumps today can heat homes down to cold temps. Heatpumps shouldn't cost a ton more over a regular A/C system. If they do they contractor is increasing his profit substantially. Hurry, time is running out.
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bonanza_stu
16 years ago
GO WITH THE PURON SYSTEM. IT'S THE NEW STANDARD. NO A/C EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURED IN 2010 WILL USE R-22. WILL R-22 BE AVAILABLE AFTER 2010, OF COURSE IT WILL. HOW MUCH WILL IT COST? GOOD QUESTION, IF I KNEW I WOULD BE TRADING ON THE FUTURES MARKET WITH HILLARY. R-22 WILL GET MORE EXPENSIVE AS TIME GOES ON JUST BECAUSE THERE WILL BE LESS AND LESS ON THE MARKET.
garyg
16 years ago
Stu:

Why are you yelling about R22?

Its OK.

It will be around for a while.

There's much more to a homeowner's decision such as quality install, ductwork, proper charge, and system sizing. Refrigerant type should not be the deciding factor, only a consideration.

Take care.
bonanza_stu
16 years ago
I'm not yelling, just too lazy to shift to lower case.

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