Switching from R-22

8 years ago

Is R-410A the best alternative to R-22? My church has 7 compressors, totaling 17 tons of A/C. They are about 20 years old and seem to be nearing the end of their useful lives. We are hearing that the 'newer' R-410A may be obsolete in about 10 to 15 years, and with the cost of changing out the equipment, we aren't eager for a 'short term' fix. FWIW, we have a well-sourced geo-thermal system that also provides our heat.

thnx, R3

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Austin Air Companie

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

If you decide to wait for something better than R410a as a refrigerant choice you could be in for a long wait and if you choose something 'new' that isn't well adopted solution there's a good chance you will be in a worse situation. (think service and repair of that equipment choice)

R410a was introduced to the market in the mid 90's. Since then every AC manufacturer developed equipment that could use it. There isn't a AC manufacturer today that doesn't have R410a AC equipment.

Since that time (mid 90's) R22 Equipment has continued to be sold up until only a few years ago. Condensers were shipped dry and charged on site to get around the EPA requirement.

HVAC equipment national average life is around 15 years depending on how well they are maintained among other factors. Your current equipment is 20 years old? Fat chance anything you wait for will out live what you have currently.

Given the R22 history and phase out cycle of this refrigerant, you will have at least 20 years from the point in which R410a is decided to be phased out. Currently there is no known plan to phase out R410a in the USA.

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Comments (7)

tigerdunes
8 years ago
If church is having a gradual replacement program, I think phasing in R-410 systems is the way to go. I assume these are conventional split systems, AC only or HPs? discuss refrigerant selection and options with a qualified dealer.
mike_home
8 years ago
If a geothermal system already exists, have you considered adapting if for cooling? I think it would be cheaper than replacing 7 condensers.

The reason R-410A might be phased out in the future is because it has a high global warming potential (1700 times higher than CO2). It remains to be seen if someone can develop a refrigerant which has a lower potential. I don't think you need to worry about R-410A going obsolete in 10-15 years.
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fsq4cw
8 years ago
I would encourage you to maintain and continue to use the geothermal system – especially if it’s R22. These systems are very efficient and robust. Can you provide details of the geothermal system, particularly the bore field or wells?

Expanding the geothermal system might be the best solution going forward for heating, cooling & Domestic Hot Water.

IMPO

SR
randy427
Original Author
8 years ago
To clarify, we have heat pumps which provide both heating and cooling and use the water from about three dozen closed-loop wells for heat sink/heat source. We've no intention of abandoning the geo-thermal design. Since switching from R-22 will require complete system replacement, our quandary is whether to do it now or look and/orwait for something better than R-410A.
fsq4cw
8 years ago
What makes you believe that they are at the end of their life-cycle?

If they are serviceable, I'd use them and extend their life.

You could replace those units that would not pay to repair with R410A units. The Entering & Leaving water from the boreholes have no bearing on type of refrigerant used. You should be able to 'mix & match'.

IMPO

SR
sktn77a
8 years ago
As you have multiple units, you can replace them individually if and when they die on you. You heard wrong on the life expectancy of R410a!
randy427 thanked sktn77a