Need to fix/replace A/C unit

11 years ago

Existing system - 4 ton carrier system builder installed 2008 - first
floor unit - R22 refrigerant; compressor is shot; return airflow not
properly done by builder according to several companies that I have had
look - only used single 16x25 opening on right for return into unit. Not
sure if this caused early demise of the unit- had to recently replace
coil which was badly rusted and leaking.

This is a 13 seer system - single stage heating and cooling. Located in Marietta GA area.

Alternatives being considered:
- replace compressor - roughly 2500 - and does not address return capacity issue
- replace entire a/c only with single stage unit - some quotes below:
Trane XR-14 4600 - includes rework of return
Trane XR-16 5300 - includes rework of return
Lennox 14ACX 4600 - did not discuss return rework
Lennox XC17 7000 - did not discuss return rework

- replace a/c and furnace with 2 stage or variable stage
Trane XR-17 / XV-80 - 8,300
Trane XV-18 / XC-80 - 10,100
Lennox XC-21 / SL-280V 10,850

Some obvious questions come to mind:
- should I even consider replacing the furnace at this point since the systems are only 7 years old?
-
is the jump to two stage cooling and the higher seer rating really
going to save me all that much vs staying with say a 14 seer single
stage?
- if I could expect at least another 5-10 years out of the
furnace given I regularly maintain it which I do - might the AC only
strategy at this point be the most cost effective - assuming the return
capacity issue is fixed in the process - either the Trane XR-14 or 16
quote above?
- other considerations?

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Comments (5)

mike_home
11 years ago
Are you sure your Carrier condenser uses R22 refrigerant? Carrier equipment made in 2008 used R410. It could be it was an old builder's grade model that was installed in 2008.

Carrier has a 10 year parts warranty if the equipment is registered. Are you covered by this? If yes, then $2500 for labor only on a compressor replacement is too high.

Is the furnace also a Carrier? Post the model number of the furnace and the condenser. From this we can figure what you have and some viable options.
srjinatl
Original Author
11 years ago
Yes - it definitely uses R22 - the original Carrier model # on the compressor is 24ABS348A300. The furnace that was installed with this system is 58STA09016. Unfortunately even though I am the original owner of the house - I was not aware of the registration requirement - the house sat on the market for several years before we bought it in 2011 - so I never did register the equipment. Doubt the builder did either. The 2500 quote was parts and labor - not just labor - since the assumption was that the compressor was out of warranty.
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d2305
11 years ago
Call Ralph https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYu73tb2bl4
mike_home
11 years ago
You are right, your condenser does use R22. It must be the last of the R22 condensers Carrier manufactured.

You should not sink $2500 in repairing the condenser. My suggestion is to buy a Carrier condenser and coil. No advantage to introduce another manufacturer's equipment unless you can't find a competent Carrier dealer. You should change the line set also.

You can't add a 2-speed condenser to a single speed furnace. If the furnace is working well then there is no need to replace it. The furnace is probably over sized for your climate.
srjinatl
Original Author
11 years ago
I have a call in to a Carrier dealer - so I will get some quotes from them. And I am aware of not being able to mix a 2 speed condenser with a single speed furnace - that's why the other quotes I listed included the furnace component. To me though - since the furnace is only 8 years old - it would seem premature to replace it - unless there was a huge benefit to moving to a 2 stage system. And from my reading thus far - it seems the benefit is more incremental.