Spring heat = early AC

[Jimbo]

I'm having to replace my A/C, both outdoor unit and indoor components because they're freon based and apparently that's hard, if not impossible to find. The new unit will be a 4 ton 13SEER. The guy told me my current A/C unit was so old it didn't even have an efficiency rating. Well for the cost I'm going to be very good about remembering the tips above and any others anyone might care to share.
I've noticed other A/C units out by the street waiting pickup recently. Is 14 years about the life expectancy of an A/C system?

[macojoe]

I have a friend that has had his for 20 years and it just died, they were able to just replace the indoor stuff and leave the out door unit in place.

Mine is about the same age as yours, but it was not used for about 7 years. Guess the original told the new owner that the fan motor was blown, and he never had it fixed. Then the new guy owned the house for 5 years and also never had it fixed, said he was not here enough of the time. Then I bought the place 5 years ago, had a guy come out to fix all he had to do was remove a Caterpillar web that was crossing two screws and shorting system. took him 5 min to fix! He said I hate to even charge you but gas to drive here is $$$, he checked all, and I was fine to go! Then the next year I had a capacitor blow, been fine for the last 3 years but nothing better then this year after cleaning all!

[5/0]

Originally Posted by Jimbo

I'm having to replace my A/C, both outdoor unit and indoor components because they're freon based and apparently that's hard, if not impossible to find. The new unit will be a 4 ton 13SEER. The guy told me my current A/C unit was so old it didn't even have an efficiency rating. Well for the cost I'm going to be very good about remembering the tips above and any others anyone might care to share.
I've noticed other A/C units out by the street waiting pickup recently. Is 14 years about the life expectancy of an A/C system?

Jimbo all units do have a efficiency rating,if it is that old it might be an 8 or 10 SEER but it dose have one.
If the inside unit is ok you can change out the out side unit,even thou it's R22 you can buy a dry condenser it just needs to be charged.

A 30# jug of R22 is about $370.00 ish you'll have to pay roughly $22-30 a pound. for a four ton condenser and I don't know how long the run is you'll prolly need close to 8-9#'s,the newer systems (been around close to 20 yrs.) R410A the base model is 13 SEER if next summer is as warm you will see a huge diff in savings.


As for the life on systems it all depends on MFGR please don't let him install a Goodman,they suck!He'll get it dirt cheap and I will bet within 2 years the capacitor and contactors will fail.
Before he installs it ask him what he wants to put in and ask him what is the factory warranty,most Carrier's come with a 10yr.on the compressor and 5yr. on parts.you'll have pay for labor on some things but not the compressor (10yrs.) the factory will pay up to four hours to change it out,so don't get fooled or roped into something that's not lagit.You've worked hard for your money so work hard at spending it!
unless your getting a heat pump I would not recommend going above a 15 SEER you'll not get the money back, believe me you'll see enough savings in a 410 system.


Bob

[Jimbo]

Thanks for the feedback. As I mentioned, I went with the 13SEER and it's a Heil. The HVAC guy I deal with is practically a neighbor and his kids have gone through school with mine, so hopefully that relationship will maybe account for not being taken or overcharged for things I'm not very familiar with. He did come back a day after installation and we filled out a form that extended the warranty from 5 to 10 years. For peace of mind I decided to bite the bullet and replace everything because I think the contractor who initially built the house for us, we're in a development, cut alot of corners (the building inspector didn't catch). We'd never had a house built for us and there is so much we learned after the fact that we could have asked to have upgraded (like heating and AC). My wife insisted she needed 10 ft cielings on the first floor but we didn't even know there was such a thing as two zone heating and AC, so that one unit really works when it's on.
I am curious about why you recommend not covering the unit in the winter? Just seems like a simple thing to keep the snow and leaves off, but again, what do I know about this stuff.

[5/0]

Originally Posted by Jimbo

Thanks for the feedback. As I mentioned, I went with the 13SEER and it's a Heil. The HVAC guy I deal with is practically a neighbor and his kids have gone through school with mine, so hopefully that relationship will maybe account for not being taken or overcharged for things I'm not very familiar with. He did come back a day after installation and we filled out a form that extended the warranty from 5 to 10 years. For peace of mind I decided to bite the bullet and replace everything because I think the contractor who initially built the house for us, we're in a development, cut alot of corners (the building inspector didn't catch). We'd never had a house built for us and there is so much we learned after the fact that we could have asked to have upgraded (like heating and AC). My wife insisted she needed 10 ft cielings on the first floor but we didn't even know there was such a thing as two zone heating and AC, so that one unit really works when it's on.
I am curious about why you recommend not covering the unit in the winter? Just seems like a simple thing to keep the snow and leaves off, but again, what do I know about this stuff.

It sounds like your in good hands,the friendship that you've made is a good piece of mind.Good.
It's funny how hind sight is always 20/20meaning after you built you're house.

As for covering the unit...First off it's a yes and no kind of thing,covering the unit with one of those PVC/plastic covers I strongly recomend not putting one on.Because now you've just created a dry shelter for mice during winter and if the compressor has a crankcase heater you've now provided a heated condo for them.Mice have to chew on thing to keep their teeth sharp and clean and you have plenty of wires in there for them to chew onIf your compressor has a sound deading cover the mice will not hesitate on that as well.
I get a ton of calls in the spring due to wires chewed in half and grounding out and have found mice on top of capacitors and grounding out and getting fried as a result.
Condensers are made to with stand the seasonal elements and to cover them up your just wasting money,yeah they look nice but these condenser's are made to be out side.

If your unit is on the side of your house by the roof line then I would highly recommend placing a piece of plywood over the top with a cinder block or bricks on top to hold it in place for the winter,this will help protect it from large amounts of ice or snow falling or sliding on it and damaging the fan or unit.