12yr old Goodman Heat Pump Leaking R22-Can a-coil be replaced?

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

Hello,

I purchased a home with three HVAC units in NC. I requested a service check to give me a baseline on the Freon levels and condition of all 3 units. Found 22yr old Carrier 2.5-ton A/C in perfect condition. Found 7yr old Goodman 2-ton Heat Pump in perfect condition. Found 12yr old Goodman 3-ton Heat Pump missing 4 lbs Freon. Checked with contractor, and they reported a 3lb addition of Freon to this same unit in 2016. So, since the original homeowner never registered the units, and let Goodman off of the warranty hook, is it worth spending the money to leak-test the coil at the electric furnace? Wondering, since I was told that the electric furnace and the coil are one-piece units on Goodman Heat pumps. I am used to standard air conditioners and separate a-coils. If the a-coil was replaceable, then I would spend the money to leak test it, and when found, replace the a-coil. Otherwise, what's the point? I would rather buy a complete new heat pump. If the story about the a-coils and the furnace on a Goodman Heat Pump being 1-piece units is false, that would be good to know. Thanks for your help!

Kerry

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Comments (4)

tigerdunes
6 years ago
No model numbers posted on questionable system....I certainly would not spend any serious money on a repair, albeit a Goodman system. Not clear about your post and description, is the system in question a package unit or in fact a true split system with inside air handler and outside HP condenser?

IMO
KERRY JUSTICE
Original Author
6 years ago
tigerdunes-

Goodman unit that is leaking is a Model "GSH130361AA made in 2006. Split system with electric furnace Model ARUF36421BA. I had figured I could just replace the leaking A-coil on top of the air mover if needed. Neighbor tells me he had the same issue and was told he could not replace the A-coil on this model, have to replace the whole air mover. Especially since it is an R-22 unit. I had never heard that the A-coils were integrated and changed out with the air mover instead of as a separate piece of coil by itself.
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Update: Before the install, I did wind up modifying the track in the air handler for the 1-inch air filter. I used 2 pieces of steel banding, 2 inches wide, cut to length, and placed them over the manufacturer's track using a few dabs of automobile body putty (Bondo) to keep it secure. It is now a smooth track for the filter to slide on. Goodman used the track as part of the frame of the air handler so it had some crimpings in it and the filter would not easily slide in. I also trimmed away some foil faced insulation that prevented the filter from seating properly. A 20"x24" filter now fits perfectly. I am glad that I did these minor mods as I would have been fighting this monthly when I change filters. The unit was installed Friday, 6/22, after I had it for about 5 weeks waiting on the installers. It took two guys 8 hours. I fed them both breakfast and lunch (I treat my installers well). The old supply air plenum and the plenum after the air handler had to be replaced to match the new unit. The old 5/16" liquid line had to be replaced with a new 3/8" line. 3 holes were cut into the finished ceiling and 1 in the wall so that the new line could be run. I'll repair the holes when I get a chance - no big deal. The TXV sticks out about 8 inches from the air handler. Looks funky and I have to be careful not to hit it while moving things around in that area. The old outside unit had sunk about 4 inches into the ground. I filled the hole with soil that I was saving, packed it down, put a plastic condensor mounting pad on the dirt, and used 3" thick brick to elevate the outside unit (which is huge in size compared to the old 7 SEER unit; 14 SEER = more coils = larger unit). The outside unit is much more quiet as expected but the new mult-speed air handler is also a little more quiet than the old one. The fan is set on low speed and I'm not sure of the setting of the old unit as the lables on the motor had worn away after 21 years. The sheet metal in the new air handler is flimsy and the track for the air filter can be improved by Mr Goodman. The outside unit looks decent. These comments were also noted by the installers. I plan on taking the outside and inside coils to a local scrap facility and sell the copper. Maybe I can get a few $$ for a couple cases cases of my favorite beer. I can now start saving 40% on the cooling and heating part of my energy bill and use this to combat the 65% increase in electric rates in the State of Maryland. All in all, I thought that I got a good value for the money spent (only time will tell if I made the right choice with Goodman). I got a 14 SEER system with Copeland scroll compressor, thermo-expansion valve on the air handler, hard start capacitor, 15 kw heat strip kit, bypass humidifier, and 10 year parts warranty for $2477 from a local HVAC supply shop. I paid $1200 for a pro install (needed the pro install for the warranty). Total cost was $2k less than...
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1. The best air handler would be the TAM7 variable speed model. Another choice would be the GAM5 model. It s high efficient as well but not var speed. Major difference is better dehumidification with var speed model. AHRI ratings below. Neither reach the qualifying standard for the Fed Tax Credit. 4563201 Active Systems XR13 WEATHERTRON TRANE 4TWR3036B1 *AM7A0C36H31 1225 36000 12.00 14.50 35200 9.00 22200 1 HRCU-A-CB 300 754 4563323 Active Systems XR13 WEATHERTRON TRANE 4TWR3036B1 GAM5A0C42M31 1175 35400 12.00 14.50 34400 9.00 21800 1 HRCU-A-CB 295 754 2. $500 not more than $750 upgrade charge for XR15 3. I would not recommend any air handler other than TAM7 or GAM5 unless it was for rental property. 4. A good price for XR13 3 ton would be around 6 K in my market. Yours may be similar. 5. Obviously the efficiency of your other system is poor by today's standards. But if you are happy with comfort and operating costs are satisfactory for your budget, then I would not replace it. Those models were real dependable workhorses. Of course, I would not spend any serious money on a repair. I assume you are having a PM performed on it once a year. If not, you should with a system this age. 6. I would get a price on Trane's XB14. Not as quiet as the XR13 but with correct air handler does qualify for Fed Tax Credit. I still like Trane/ AmStd HPs and they have demand defrost which eliminates/reduces nuisance and unnecessary defrost calls. I would assume a 10 KW heat strip. I would want HW Mdl 8321 thermostat. If you don't have a media filter cabinet, I would consider one. If keeping old refrigerant lineset, it must be the correct size and flushed properly. IMO
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tigerdunes
6 years ago
for OP...you do have a problem...Goodman, age, R-22, leak...cut your losses and replace complete...

IMO
PRO
Austin Air Companie
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
The units were probably registered. What happens though is that when the home changes ownership, the warranty reverts back to the standard warranty of 5 years. (Like it wasn't registered, even if it had been registered.)

The A-coil of the electric furnace can be replaced in some cases. But if you attempt to order the exact coil from the manufacturer that coil made specifically for that air handler will likely be sold for more than what a whole air handler will cost you. Oh, those pesky manufacturers. Yep, they all do it.

In some cases not all, I have been able to just change the coil many times with a different brand of coil that will fit the box of the air handler. The problem these days is that the coils are larger (more surface area) than those made just some 5 odd years ago.

So there is probably a 50/50 chance that you could just change the coil and it fit right.

Given that you just purchased the home, it's probably in your best interest to replace the system and upgrade the AC to use R410a refrigerant.

R22 also widely referred to as Freon will no longer be produced after Dec. 31, 2019, what is allowed to be produced is a very low amount that will never come close to meeting demand.

Because you have 3 systems that use R22, and you bought this home as opposed to looking to sell it... you will need to start converting these systems over to R410a refrigerant. This can only be done by replacing equipment.

Refrigerant leaks will continue to be a challenge as the price of refrigerants continue to rise the old method of recharging systems every year is a thing of the past. Those leaks have to be repaired, regardless of the type of refrigerant your system uses.

In addition to the complications listed above about changing only the coil, the units you have are heat pumps. So any coil that you attempt to change for this system would need to be a heat pump coil. Some coils are AC only without specific changes to the coil, the heat pump would never work right. This would be considered a high skill operation. It can be done in some situations... but should be left to those who have done it.

If you can't find someone like me in your area... forget about it.

Want to see why newer copper coils fail: it has nothing to do with brand. It has to do with the thickness of the copper wall. So aluminum coils are now the rage. Are all aluminum coils the most perfect thing since sliced bread? Watch the video: Copper Coils Vs Aluminum Coils. ( I service the Katy, Texas area a west suburb of Houston, Texas)

12yr old Goodman Heat Pump Leaking R22-Can a-coil be replaced?

Comments (4)

tigerdunes

KERRY JUSTICE
Original Author

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12yr old Goodman Heat Pump Leaking R22-Can a-coil be replaced?

Comments (4)

tigerdunes

KERRY JUSTICEOriginal Author

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KERRY JUSTICE
Original Author