millerx Posted April 11, 2011 Share Posted April 11, 2011 Well... spring is in the air, and the heat is slowly rising. I went and turned on my A/C for the first time this season, and while it is working, no cold air is coming out. This was to be somewhat expected as last summer there was a crack that was found to be leaking freon. I was told at that time that they could fill it up one time but I would need to replace it once that ran out. It's a 17 year old system and is need of being replaced. I know nothing about HVAC's and I'm trying to educate myself by reading as much as I can on the subject. I'm looking to replace the compressor (?) on the outside of the house, as within the last 2 years, the inside portion (forgot what that part is called) was replaced. Will this cause complications matching the inside and the outside units? If so, what? What brand would you recommend? Trane, Lennox, Rheem, RUUD, etc? What seer is worth the money (value)? Are there any tax breaks I may be unaware of? I've always been impressed with the wide spectrum of help this forum has to offer and would appreciate any insight, professional or personal experience are both welcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEC=UGA Posted April 11, 2011 Share Posted April 11, 2011 Well... spring is in the air, and the heat is slowly rising. I went and turned on my A/C for the first time this season, and while it is working, no cold air is coming out. This was to be somewhat expected as last summer there was a crack that was found to be leaking freon. I was told at that time that they could fill it up one time but I would need to replace it once that ran out. It's a 17 year old system and is need of being replaced. I know nothing about HVAC's and I'm trying to educate myself by reading as much as I can on the subject. I'm looking to replace the compressor (?) on the outside of the house, as within the last 2 years, the inside portion (forgot what that part is called) was replaced. Will this cause complications matching the inside and the outside units? If so, what? What brand would you recommend? Trane, Lennox, Rheem, RUUD, etc? What seer is worth the money (value)? Are there any tax breaks I may be unaware of? I've always been impressed with the wide spectrum of help this forum has to offer and would appreciate any insight, professional or personal experience are both welcome. You coulda just called me you jackass... So now, you get nothing!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moneymakers Posted April 11, 2011 Share Posted April 11, 2011 unless you got a minimum of 5 grand I would call a different hvac company and have them put more freon in it. fyi- outside unit is called a condenser. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
millerx Posted April 11, 2011 Author Share Posted April 11, 2011 You coulda just called me you jackass... So now, you get nothing!!!!!!!! What? are you gonna come over and blow on me to keep me cool? Not that you don't already, but next time hold some ice cubes in your mouth so it's more effective? Seriously though, what you got? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEC=UGA Posted April 11, 2011 Share Posted April 11, 2011 What? are you gonna come over and blow on me to keep me cool? Not that you don't already, but next time hold some ice cubes in your mouth so it's more effective? Seriously though, what you got? I'll give you a guys name that did our house, office and scores me hookers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
millerx Posted April 11, 2011 Author Share Posted April 11, 2011 I'll give you a guys name that did our house, office and scores me hookers. Thanks! Anyone else know about brands, seers, etc. ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darin3 Posted April 11, 2011 Share Posted April 11, 2011 Thanks!Anyone else know about brands, seers, etc. ? Chief Dick is our resident HVAC eggspurt. He'll be along shortly to set you straight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perchoutofwater Posted April 11, 2011 Share Posted April 11, 2011 unless you got a minimum of 5 grand I would call a different hvac company and have them put more freon in it.fyi- outside unit is called a condenser. If the unit is 17 years old, it has outlasted the average life span of a unit by 5 years. He needs to replace it, otherwise he is throwing good money after bad. He probably should have replaced the condenser 2 years ago when he replaced the air handler, as now that might tie his hands as to what he can put in, unless he is willing to eat the cost of the air handler he bought two years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
millerx Posted April 11, 2011 Author Share Posted April 11, 2011 If the unit is 17 years old, it has outlasted the average life span of a unit by 5 years. He needs to replace it, otherwise he is throwing good money after bad. He probably should have replaced the condenser 2 years ago when he replaced the air handler, as now that might tie his hands as to what he can put in, unless he is willing to eat the cost of the air handler he bought two years ago. Sounds like you have some knowledge on the subject. At the time I had the air handler replaced, I was in a pinch money-wise and needed heat for the family, so I went with what I could afford. So what limitations would this cause? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perchoutofwater Posted April 11, 2011 Share Posted April 11, 2011 Well... spring is in the air, and the heat is slowly rising. I went and turned on my A/C for the first time this season, and while it is working, no cold air is coming out. This was to be somewhat expected as last summer there was a crack that was found to be leaking freon. I was told at that time that they could fill it up one time but I would need to replace it once that ran out. It's a 17 year old system and is need of being replaced. I know nothing about HVAC's and I'm trying to educate myself by reading as much as I can on the subject. I'm looking to replace the compressor (?) on the outside of the house, as within the last 2 years, the inside portion (forgot what that part is called) was replaced. Will this cause complications matching the inside and the outside units? If so, what? What brand would you recommend? Trane, Lennox, Rheem, RUUD, etc? What seer is worth the money (value)? Are there any tax breaks I may be unaware of? I've always been impressed with the wide spectrum of help this forum has to offer and would appreciate any insight, professional or personal experience are both welcome. All of the brand name you listed are fine. I wouldn't have a problem putting any of them on my house. With regard to what you put in, your hands may be tied due to the air handler you put in two years ago, unless you are willing to suck it up and buy a new one. It might be well worth the money depending on what seer your current unit is. Unless they have come down in cost significantly in the last year, once you get over 17 or 18 seer, you are throwing money away as the payback just isn't there. I replaced all three of my split systems last year and went form 11 seer to 18 seer. I thought I wanted 23 seer units, but luckily I've got a buddy that told me they aren't worth it. The other thing to do is make sure you have sufficient tonnage for your house, residential contractors are notorious for undersizing the AC to save a few bucks. I went from two 11 seer units that combined gave me 5.5 tons to three 18 seer units that totaled 8.5 tons and my electric bill is now 1/2 of what it used to be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moneymakers Posted April 11, 2011 Share Posted April 11, 2011 Need to know the source of the leak before you replace anything. "a crack that was found to be leaking freon" Freon is 150.00 bucks for a 30lb pound jug and a set of gauges are another 50 bucks. people just love to spend that money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perchoutofwater Posted April 11, 2011 Share Posted April 11, 2011 Sounds like you have some knowledge on the subject. At the time I had the air handler replaced, I was in a pinch money-wise and needed heat for the family, so I went with what I could afford. So what limitations would this cause? Honestly I'm not all that knowledgeable, but I have two different very good friends that own HVAC companies, and am very familiar with several others that own HVAC companies. I think you will probably have to stay with the same brand condenser just so that two communicate properly. If your unit is undersized, it might limit how much tonnage you can add. I'm not sure if it will dictate how high of a seer rating you can get. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perchoutofwater Posted April 11, 2011 Share Posted April 11, 2011 Need to know the source of the leak before you replace anything. "a crack that was found to be leaking freon" Freon is 150.00 bucks for a 30lb pound jug and a set of gauges are another 50 bucks. people just love to spend that money. Did you not get that he said the unit is 17 years old? The average lifespan of a unit around here is about 12 years. I replaced three units with larger more efficient units last year, and the energy saving alone will pay off my investment in 7 years, so I should be essentially making money on those units for 5 years or so. Some times spending more now saves you a lot later on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moneymakers Posted April 11, 2011 Share Posted April 11, 2011 maybe break even in 7 years? replace the condenser and still have a leak? lots of things work longer than its life expectancy. FYI - dont have too match the same brands just the tonnage/type of freon keep it simple Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ursa Majoris Posted April 11, 2011 Share Posted April 11, 2011 I had a new Bryant installed two years ago and love it. Even sitting next to it, we can have a conversation without raising our voices at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Dick Posted April 11, 2011 Share Posted April 11, 2011 (edited) Well... spring is in the air, and the heat is slowly rising. I went and turned on my A/C for the first time this season, and while it is working, no cold air is coming out. This was to be somewhat expected as last summer there was a crack that was found to be leaking freon. I was told at that time that they could fill it up one time but I would need to replace it once that ran out. It's a 17 year old system and is need of being replaced. I know nothing about HVAC's and I'm trying to educate myself by reading as much as I can on the subject. I'm looking to replace the compressor (?) on the outside of the house, as within the last 2 years, the inside portion (forgot what that part is called) was replaced. Will this cause complications matching the inside and the outside units? If so, what? What brand would you recommend? Trane, Lennox, Rheem, RUUD, etc? What seer is worth the money (value)? Are there any tax breaks I may be unaware of? I've always been impressed with the wide spectrum of help this forum has to offer and would appreciate any insight, professional or personal experience are both welcome. PM sent. It would be easier to give you some details over the phone if you need me to answer some questions. Edited April 11, 2011 by Chief Dick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Footballjoe Posted April 11, 2011 Share Posted April 11, 2011 My Trane has been doing well for the last 12 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEC=UGA Posted April 11, 2011 Share Posted April 11, 2011 Once CD hit you up with a PM, call Barry Tyser at Anchor heating and air. Tell him my dad referred you. 770-942-2873. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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