The new condenser will be using R410A refrigerant. Therefore the indoor coil must be replaced and the line set has to be flushed or replaced. I have never heard of a Guardian condenser. What exactly are you getting with the $5K quote?

If the air handler is at least 10 years old, and you plan to live in this house 5 more years, you are better off replacing it in my opinion. If you have the funds I suggest getting the XR16 condenser. I can't find the air handler you listed. Perhaps a Trane equipment expert can help.

Questions you should ask:

What equipment size do you have now and is 2.5 tons the correct size?

How will this work with the existing hydro coil?

Does this include a new thermostat and if so what model?

What are the labor and parts warranties?

What size and type of filter will be installed?

Is the main duct and return properly sized for 2.5 tons of air flow?

Aly,

The Guardian is garbage in my opinion. It's a micro channel condenser. I would view that thing as only a temporary solution. Don't expect a miracle out of that thing.

I had a guy here in my area contact me that had an old R22 Goodman condenser where the coil was flaking apart. People razz ma tazz on Goodman brand, but aside from that condenser coil flaking apart the thing was still running.

This guy really needed all new equipment, inside and out, not to mention duct work as well. So that's what I originally quoted him.

A month or so went by and he contacts me about just replacing the condenser and doing as you suggest going with the Guardian and using R407c.

Given the problems with micro channel I told him no. I told him I wanted to put him in a better position so he won't have to replace that condenser out side again in relatively quick fashion (less than 10 years most likely).

He doesn't plan to own the home beyond about 3 years. I told him look you're gonna have to sell this house to someone else. So I installed another Goodman R410a condenser and converted his old coil to use R410a. This requires skill to do, most HVAC companies have installers doing this stuff and so they lack the expertise this kind of stuff requires. It also contains risk that the coil may leak refrigerant and if so -- it will have to be replaced at additional cost.

In some cases what I did here CAN NOT BE DONE. Realize this requires not only skill, but also experience. Things can go all kinds of bad if not done properly.

There is risk, I don't carry that risk -- the home owner does. If that Indoor coil or whatever fails then it's going to cost more to fix it and that fix is most likely going to be more new equipment.

So why would I do that? I fixed his unit before. I fixed his unit again. It breaks again I fix it again. The nature of an AC repairman. What ever you do, it will break again. But picking better pieces will make that less likely.

NJ is a lighter use climate than my neck of the woods in Katy, Texas. So if I lived there and had the experience of that climate I might think the Guardian had a better chance.

In fact that guy called me back a few weeks ago to replace 1 duct that had come loose and it was so crusty it would just crumble to pieces. The AC was working just fine and in record breaking triple digit heat here.

RunTru is chinese made, although it's a stretch that even the Trane brands are that great. I just replaced one this past weekend not even 10 years old had an Alliance compressor in it.

Trane is no where near what it once was -- it's comparable to any brand these days in terms of quality. Dealers are just selling it for the brand recognition is all.

The cost? It was only marginally more than your Guardian quote, but that also included replacing one duct as well as a new emergency drain pan for the E-coil in the attic.

The most important part aside from cost?

That it will work. (blows cool)

I service the Katy, Texas area.

Ray,

I'm not sure relating your mind-numbing expertise converting coils from their original intended application, albeit fascinating, is all that relevant to the OP's question.

The manufacture of R22 equipment was prohibited as of January 2010 so the OP's coils are at least 12 years old.

I think the better advice is simply to replace the coil at the same time as the new condenser so their system is covered under the manufacturer's warranty and they're not investing in emergency service to replace a repurposed 12+/- year old coil in the next 2-3 years. Thanks, too, for the clear explanation of what constitutes a working air conditioner ("blows cool.") It's too easy to get lost in HVAC jargon.

The manufacture of R22 equipment was prohibited as of January 2010 so the OP's coils are at least 12 years old.

There was a loop hole that was exploited by manufacturers for about 3-4 years in which these condensers were shipped dry with a nitrogen charge. Upon installation you'd drop the nitrogen charge and recharge with R22 Freon.

Theoretically you could do the same thing today if you really wanted R22 Freon, using this Guardian R407c machine -- you'd just reclaim the R407c out of it. But with the cost of R22? It would be an exercise in futility. Especially because the Guardian is micro channel that technology is mostly known for refrigerant leaks.

Yeah more mind numbing jargon from a trust worthy HVAC repair man. It's your money / your choice.

R407C --- GWP numbers are 1774 which are only slightly better than R410a so it will be phased out an banned faster because there is less demand for it. Less demand = no reason to make it in large quantities.

R22 Freon could be used as a replacement for R407c but much higher cost. So you'll mostly likely be told that it's time to buy a new air conditioner -- again. I'm in the business of giving you choices. It's your money you decide. But to keep this gravy train I got rolling -- If I start wasting your money what little you may have of it?

You going to continue to do that?

28 years in HVAC tells me no.

Thanks, too, for the clear explanation of what constitutes a working air conditioner ("blows cool.")

I do that because there are people out there that will say "see it's running -- it's working" It's the definition of someone who claims something is working, but only to their specification of what working is.

I don't want to spend this or that?

But I want it to work. ---- so if that is the case what is your definition of WORK?

I think the better advice is simply to replace the coil at the same time as the new condenser so their system is covered under the manufacturer's warranty.

Yes, absolutely. But the more you do the more it costs and people budgets are often times restricted.

You (the home owner reading this) buy the condenser, you get the warranty for the condenser. Typically 10 year parts / 1 year labor. / Or you have a leaking evaporator -- you replace only the evaporator --- 10 year parts / 1 year labor.

You replace the condenser + evaporator -- 10 year parts / 1 year labor. (no difference)

You replace the condenser + evaporator + furnace --- 10 year parts / 1 year labor / 20 year heat exchanger warranty for furnace (some have life time heat exchanger warranties now)

The more you replace the more it costs. Simple 3rd grade math here. (I make it so easy for you.)

Charles just provides the argument. The response isn't for him --- it's for you "the silent reader".

Your own personal HVAC easy button here in Katy, Texas.

"Especially because the Guardian is micro channel that technology is mostly known for refrigerant leaks."

"So I installed another Goodman R410a condenser and converted his old coil to use R410a."

You did the client a disservice, Ray.

Those prices are pretty outrageous for a single stage, builder grade, AC/coil/air handler. Blame Covid and the "whatever the market will bear" mentality for that.

Get more quotes on Goodman, Rheem, Carrier, etc. You always pay an unfounded premium for Trane equipment.

You did the client a disservice, Ray.

The unit is cooling in triple digit heat Charles. With approximately 20+ year old indoor equipment and about 40 year old crusty duct work barely holding on.

I'd call that a bargain, not to mention a small miracle. This solution may only be temporary, but I've seen these kinds of jobs go an additional 5 years or longer too.... buys the customer some time without sweating bullets.

Where's your compassion Charles?

I'm in the business of fixing / repairing AC's. It's what I do. This job goes south, I will go there again fix it again. Nothing new been doing this sort of thing for 28 years.

Goodman beats Guardian by a large stretch. While Goodman isn't perfect, I replaced a derailed Trane with a Bosch this past weekend. I offered more choices than just Bosch on that job.

Just as I offered this Goodman guy more choices. He made the right choice for him and his situation. I just bring it all together and make it work. Work means COOLING in triple digit record breaking heat.

That Trane from this past weekend was manufactured in 2015. Derailed Alliance Compressor. --- not a climatuff. The compressor that made Trane famous. Those are the facts.

There will be videos for both of these jobs. You won't want to miss these episodes, subscribe to my You Tube Channel here.

I service the Katy, Texas area.

Ray,

Is the thermometer with hair supposed to look like you or Elvis?

Ray,

Is the thermometer with hair supposed to look like you or Elvis?

Elvis...But he's the King of Hot / not rock. LOL. It's merely ironic that he looks a little like me too. ha, ha, ha.

Not much longer tho' my hair is greying.

Many of these characters poke fun at myself / my siblings in a variety of ways.

Did I find a soft spot for you Charles?

--------

People often mis interpret why he's saying #1. This was meant to mean 1 guy. "There is only 1 Ray Austin". As well as the producer of #1 smash hits.

But I'm fine with it either way at this point. I merely say this to tell you alot of thought went into every character. I made all of them, I didn't pay someone to do it for me.

#1 Smash Hits list...

not in any particular order.

The sun will come up tomorrow

Hot House Rock

Red Hot Shoes

CHILLER

How Am I Supposed To Sweat Without You

Hodity Hoedown

I've got the moves like I am wearing a wooly sweater

You make me sweat

I like to cool it, cool it. COOL IT!

Hello (from the hotter side)

Shake n Bake

Please Don't Stop (the AC)

AC Rhymes

One Followed by Two Oh's (100 degree weather song)

Hot Bites (it's bringing me to my knees)

Hot House

I Really Need You Now

Smokin Hot Flash

Cooked Alive

If your AC service is poor, You probably won't think these are funny.

If you can make those guys dance and talk they can be substituted for the usual narrator in your videos, Ray. It won't do anything to improve the credibility of the videos, but it will add more entertainment value.

Credibility in a video is not my business at this stage. People can think what they want it doesn't matter Charles. You will always have those that disagree with you for whatever reason.

I always say if you know more than me, you don't need me. HVAC is my business but I am not in the position that I am going to baffle someone with BS. If that's your game Charles go ahead. It's not mine.

Credibility in performing the work / fixing things thru a variety of means.

I am fine in the lane I have created for myself. I offer choices what can work / risks are identified / customer makes a choice.

If something goes wrong. They call me again I fix it again. I know builders don't do that. So it is what it is.

If someone thinks I am not credible at what I do after 28 years of doing HVAC? Well I don't get every job. I get people who went with someone else and have problems and wonder why I won't touch it. (conflict of interest)

Conflicts of interest can be resolved by money. BUT if someone paid someone else for a product or service they didn't get? Most of the time they don't want to pay me too.

Credibility plays what roll in that?

Gimmicks: We'll come to your house for free and tell you what needs to be done, with no obligation.

They show up, tell you they need to replace everything -- then drive away. The owner forces those techs to do that for no money. That isn't my idea of "service".