Opinions about refrigerant leak fix

Hi all,
would appreciate some advice from the experts here. My upstairs AC unit has a slow refrigerant leak (likely had one for a long time) that is causing it to really struggle in very hot temps and often freeze up when the AC is running over night. When this happens if I turn off the AC, it thaws, and the air flows again shortly after.

The tech I had out confirmed I have R22 and said he cannot charge it and I would likely not find anyone that has it or is willing. So he is going to send me a few options to replace it. The system is 17 years old so I knew this day was coming.

My questions are...

• Is it worth trying to find a company that still has R22 and see how much they would charge (pun not intended) to charge the system? The tech estimated I am about 3 lbs low.
• If I go with the replacement option should I pay the extra money to have the furnace also replaced. I'll confirm the quoted prices when I get them but by chatting with the tech it looks like it could save me around $2k now.

Thanks in advance.

 

R22 is very detrimental to the ozone layer (global warming). While the system can still be recharged with R22, it would be irresponsible (and costly) to do so without fixing the leak first. If you add R22 to the system without repairing the leak, it's just a matter of time before it leaks out again, contributing to global warming.

As far as air conditioning goes, all the furnace does is act as an air handler (blower). If your furnace is in good condition and working well, there's no need to replace it. On the other hand, if your furnace is old and inefficient (by today's standards), you might want to consider replacing it.

 

Most companies still have R-22 available. In my area it runs $200-250 a pound.
So depending on where your leak is.... probably better to replace than recharge.

If you replace the condenser and the evaporator coil for a new one.... the furnace duct work must be taken apart and modified for the new coil. If your furnace is in very good condition you could consider just doing the A/C. You need quotes going both ways.

My 33 year old Rheem condenser just blew a compressor.
I opted to change the split A/C and the furnace because my furnace was 25 years old.

 

I suppose that's relative. As I said, the furnace is 17 years old and seems to work fine. However, if there are new developments in air handling efficiency since then I am not aware of them.

I'll post the numbers shortly.

 

In theory it makes a lot of sense to upgrade to high efficiency.
However... not only are the up front costs more... the repairs are considerably more.
What you save in energy...... you'll spend on the repairs.

 

Here are the replacement options:

1. 14 Series: American
   Standard MFG. 2.5-T
   A/C AHRI Matched
   Coil, and Furnace
   14.5 SEER A/C
   (4A7A4), 80% AFUE
   Furnace (S8B1b)
   Single Stage Gas
   Valve ECM Blower,
   (4T/MXCb) Aluminum
   Coil, Honeywell T6-Pro
   Thermostat ($8173)

1. 16 Series: American
   Standard 2.5-T A/C
   AHRI Matched Coil,
   and Furnace
   16 SEER A/C (4A7A6),
   80% AFUE Furnace
   (S8X2b/c) 2 Stage Gas
   ECM Blower,
   (4T/MXCb/c) Aluminum
   Coil, Honeywell T6 Pro
   Wi-Fi Thermostat.
   Equipment qualifies for
   $100 Duke energy
   rebate.($9120)

1. 14 Series: American
   Standard 2.5-T AHRI
   Matched AC and Coil
   Only 14 SEER AC
   (4A7A4) and Cased
   Aluminum Coil
   (4T/MXCa/b),
   Honeywell T6 Pro
   Thermostat ($6076)

I'm leaning towards the AC and coil option for cost reasons and the blower motor in that system was replaced 4 years ago.

 

To recharge or not, it depends on your own situation and the size of the leak itself. If you only plan to stay in that house for 3 or 4 years, and the leak is so small that one recharge will hold up for 3 years, then I will go ahead recharge the system. As mentioned, the recharge may cost you $600 to $800. There are many places still do the recharge, just call around.

 

So I found a company who had R422 and recharged it for $130/lb. Thanks for all the helpful comments.

 

That's R-22.
Did they find the leak ?
Just charging the system and hoping for the best is a sure money waster.

 

Didn't find the leak. We chose to just charge it this time and go from there.

 

Update on this saga. Same issue again. Now most of the freon has leaked out so recharging makes no sense. But the tech also tells me the R-410A they would use in the new system will also be phased out soon. He said a few years but I'm reading sooner. Stuck between the ol' proverbial rock and a hard place. He will send over new quotes soon.

 

Production is currently being phased out.
Starting in 2023... minimum system efficiency is being raised to 14 SEER.

The EPA’s SNAP Rule 23 identifies six A2L refrigerants as safe alternatives to R410. In addition to R32 and R454B, the EPA has also approved R452B, R454A, R454C, and R457A.These refrigerants are currently approved only for new self-contained and split-system air conditioners that are specifically designed for A2L refrigerants.

 

While I'm waiting on a refresh of last year's quotes, I got another from a different company. Anything good/bad stand out? Seems pretty comparable:

Option#1 Ruud (Rheem) Achiever Series- A/C & Coil Only (20% less energy consumption)

Ruud Single Stage 2.5 ton 14.0 SEER A/C Model #- RA14AZ30AJ1NA and a matching 3 Ton matching Coil Model #-HE32136D175B1622 =$6,659 Installed (Cash / Check-$6,180)

10 year parts, 1 year Labor Warranty


All Systems include:

Aluminum Evaporator coil to reduce electrolysis w/ TXV to regulate refrigerant flow for low temp and optimal subcooling

NATE certified installers

Flush refrigerant line with approved line cleaner

New high voltage wiring and conduit to outdoor unit (If Needed)

Properly sized breakers (If needed)

Non-ozone depleting 410-A Refrigerant

Old refrigerant recovered and disposed of per EPA regulations

Old equipment Hauled off and disposed of per EPA and State regulations

Triple evacuation of system to ensure a clean start up

Thorough start-up of new system and proper charging for optimal efficiency

All work done to current code