HVAC Question

[Dennis The B]

Yesterday, the outside part of our air conditioner stopped working (compressor/condenser?). The furnace motor would start, and when the compressor tried to start, the circuit breaker would trip. Letting the breaker sit, and allowing the entire unit to cool down before resetting the breaker did no good.

I called our local utility, and they will have someone out in the morning to replace the compressor unit (we have appliance coverage with our utility company), and the cost is covered.

We've had the unit since 2000, with no problems, and we keep the unit well-ventilated, and the cooling fins washed and cleared.

I'm assuming we have R-22 refrigerant, and it's being phased out in favor of R-410A, according to most news and information sources.

If the replacement unit is charged by R-410A, will the coil assembly on top of the furnace have to be replaced also? Also, am I overthinking this, and compressors using R-22 are still available to install. I've read conflicting information.

Thanks in advance.

 

[nun]

Are you sure it is the compressor. It may be a capactor. You still can get r22 compressors. If you change the whole outside unit you will need the change the inside coil to a more effecient (13 seer).

 

[doublesharp]

Just had an ac man on my mom's fairly new unit and it was the capacitor. He added a spp6 Supco hardstart booster cap and all is good.

 

[LVSteve]

+1 on the capacitor. Mine was bulged top and bottom just in time for a 110°F day.

 

[J B]

As has been said above there are lots of things in your condensing unit that can cause the circuit breaker to trip none of witch can not be replaced R22 components are available I just repaired a refrigerant leak on a unit and installed 180 lb of R22 they are fazing out new equipment that uses R22 but the parts will still be available for awhile the price of the refrigerant is going up though

 

[Dennis The B]

Thanks for your responses...

The technician arrived this morning at 8AM, checked out the compressor and pronounced it dead at the scene. No hope for resurrection of the unit.

I have a couple of contractors coming out to give me pricing for a new unit. We currently have a 2-ton unit, so it looks like at least $3k for new hardware and installation.

I called several contractors this morning, and none would even consider installing an older type.

 

[nun]

No one would give you a price on installing a new compressor? 10 year old unit? You should not need to replace the whole thing.

 

[GregG]

You can still buy R22 condensor units. I just replaced the one at my Mom's house a few months ago. About a 4 hour job.

The 410 units operate at a higher head pressure.

I'd get a new R22 unit and a spare bottle of freon for it.

 

[nun]

As long as the exsiting A-coil is a 13 seer coil or has an txv. If not he will need to replace A-coil also.