Home HVAC question.

[rscurtis]

I have a York central air system in my house, is 19 years old and was installed when the house was built. I do not know the model of the air handler. It has developed a leak in the evaporator of about 1# per month. Is this repairable (new core) or would the entire unit normally be replaced? It cools the house fine, even in the hottest weather, and I've never had an electric bill over $100, even last month.

 

[Hoefler]

It would be cheaper to install a completely new system. You shouldn't have to do any duct work except to adapt the new one in. There are tax credits for updating your system, plus there might be a rebate through your power company as well. A new system will also lower your utility bill some as well.

 

[p-Bar]

Plus the new units are a lot more efficient

 

[rscurtis]

I wasn't thinking of replacing the entire system, just the air handler if necessary. I know new units may be more efficient, but how much more efficient can you get than $100/month in the hottest month of the year? If I was dropping 3-4-500/month on electricity, there would be something to be said for a more efficient system. And AFAIK, the efficiency is generated by the compressor/condenser, not the air handler.

 

[Hoefler]

Not sure what you are calling the air handler, but it would involve replacing the furnace, a-coil and outside condensing unit. If you just replace the leaking coil, the replacement most likely won't be compatible with the rest of the system, it may work, but not efficiently. The freons are better, but not compatible with the older systems. You won't have to replace the duct work, maybe clean it, but that's it.

 

[AClayton]

I wasn't thinking of replacing the entire system, just the air handler if necessary. I know new units may be more efficient, but how much more efficient can you get than $100/month in the hottest month of the year? If I was dropping 3-4-500/month on electricity, there would be something to be said for a more efficient system. And AFAIK, the efficiency is generated by the compressor/condenser, not the air handler.

$100 bucks a month for your electric bill?? I call BS! A 1. 5ton central air unit in a small home would be a stretch even by todays standards of efficiency. You set your stat to 84* or something?



Anyway... . no way you can purchase just a new air handler because the absolute minimum SEER rating is 13. That is most likely 3 points better than what you have now..... especially being almost 20 yrs old. At that age of equipment,I would only consider replacing both the indoor AND outdoor unit. If you cooled your home for $100 a month with that thing, a new 15 or 16 SEER will do the same job for nearly half of that figure.





Alan

 

[Skydiver]

rscurtis, If you just replace the evaporater you are just buying time. You do not need to replace the air handler if it is still transfering air. You fan motor might be ready for bearings.
My central unit is 15 years old. 3 tons, 1750 sq ft which does not include the 500 sq ft garage. I use propane gas for clothes drying, cooking, water heating and naturally home heat.
My power bill was $148 last month and the days are averaging 95 degrees. I also have a deep freeze that sent my power bill up $18 per month. My house has a crawl space which I keep sealed up summer and winter. So the air handler is NOT in the attic heat.
Yes I use a programmable thermostat.

 

[rscurtis]

No BS on that bill. This is an all-electric house to boot. I set the thermostat at 78 degrees, keeps the place comfortable and kills the humidity. I live by myself which is a big energy saver. I also use CFL's exclusively and recently switched to a heat pump water heater. Burning 2 tons of wood pellets over the winter keeps those bills in check, which would be more than the AC without the supplemental heat. House is 1800 SF, 2X6 with partial brick exterior, and has a separate 650 SF shop which is heated with propane. The last 12 mos. usage as of 7/28/10 was 7702 KWH X 9. 3 cents per KWH. Some months in the spring and fall are less than $20. 00.

 

[AClayton]

No BS on that bill. This is an all-electric house to boot. I set the thermostat at 78 degrees, keeps the place comfortable and kills the humidity. I live by myself which is a big energy saver. I also use CFL's exclusively and recently switched to a heat pump water heater. Burning 2 tons of wood pellets over the winter keeps those bills in check, which would be more than the AC without the supplemental heat. House is 1800 SF, 2X6 with partial brick exterior, and has a separate 650 SF shop which is heated with propane. The last 12 mos. usage as of 7/28/10 was 7702 KWH X 9. 3 cents per KWH. Some months in the spring and fall are less than $20. 00.

That is great man! Maybe getting rid of my family would be a good idea... ... just kidding! The brick exterior and 2x6 wall is a huge help!



Anyway... . you did understand about not being able to match up a new A/H with the old condensing unit. Plus... . it is becoming increasingly more difficult to find anything R-22 anymore. By the end of this year, the new R-410A refrigerant will be the only one available for residential use. 22 is being phased out just 12 was back in the early 90's.



Alan

 

[rscurtis]

I see the logic of your advice. I haven't researched this locally yet, but I would say that if I can't simply replace the evaporator section, a new system may be the way to go as opposed to having to do it all over again in a few years when/if the compressor gives up the ghost. I was not aware that 22 was coming to an end, I heard that also about 134.

 

[Skydiver]

Normally when the compressor dies I just "file 13" the complete unit. I've still got 7 lbs of r-12 in a 20 lb jug. I no longer own any systems that use 12. I am now stock piling r-22 and r-134a.