Hey All,

I have an old AC unit in my backyard that still works... but needs to be moved as it's on some settled concrete that I'm fixing. It's also a bit old and quite noisy, so the plan is to get rid of it.

I'm not experienced with cooling/HVAC, but generally competent & able to follow instruction.

Questions:

1. Is the process of disconnecting /moving this unit a DIY task for a novice?

2. Outside of general electrical precautions, is there anything I should worry about?

3. How much does this thing weigh? (ballpark)

4. Is anything of value, or is it trash? How to dispose (I'm in Canada/Toronto area and don't have a truck)

Any advice would be welcome, thanks.


ac unit

 

Not a DIY as the refrigerant is regulated.
https://www.canada.ca/en/environment...act-sheet.html

 

You're asking about moving it or replacing it. Which is it ?
You can carefully pick it up to work under it.
Moving it involves working with copper lines and refrigerant. As mentioned.... you'll need to hire a certified tech for that. If you are replacing it then you'll need to replace or match the coil in the inside air handler.

 

Thanks both.

Disposing for now (winter's coming).

Plan to do some work outdoors and put something new in in the spring.

Helpful info all around.

 

Just leave it until your ready to replace it.
Otherwise the lineset should be sealed and pressurized with nitrogen.
The unit will have to be reclaimed and the refrigerant captured and recycled.

 

If it works and uses Refigerant-22 (the good stuff way better & much colder then the modern replacement refrigerants) I would keep it and use it until it does not work anymore modern stuff is not built to last like these older ones.

 

Hey roughneck,

Unfortunately it's sitting on some sunken concrete thats against my house. I need to address the concrete before the spring thaw.

Circuit breaker, that's an interesting point. Pic below.. (looks like it is R22)

Bottom line, it seems like even simply disconnecting/moving it isn't something I'm going to tackle.

I'm still trying to decide if I move it for the winter, or simply toss it and replace in the spring.

 

Remember, you’ll be replacing indoor parts as well. The days of just changing the condenser with a unit that age are long gone.
The lineset will have to be brazed shut and pressurized with nitrogen. Leaving it cut and open will lead to contamination and problems for the new unit.

 

is there any way to tell the age of this unit or estimate the remaining lifetime on it?

This AC is noisy AF, so if it's simply a matter of updating 1-2y sooner, that's justifiable.

So far remove/dispose/seal is running between 250-300 CDN (after haggling) or about 185-225 USD... highest asking was 300 USD. Some of the more expensive places suggested the cheaper ones weren't going to reclaim the refrigerant..

 

also one guy said he'd tape the lines shut.