Replacing An Old R-22 AC With A Heat Pump

One of the most common calls we get during the summer is “Our air conditioning system isn’t working.” Very rarely does a homeowner know why their air conditioner isn’t working, but they know there’s a problem because the home isn’t getting cooled off at all. 

In this case, this Brevard, NC homeowner gave us a call and let us know that the AC didn’t seem to be working right. They knew it was on, and had the thermostat down to 70, but the temperature held around 78-80. They put up with it for a bit, but once it got too hot, and the energy bills were still very high, they knew something had to change. 

Luckily this is a call we get all the time, and we know how to assess the problem. One of the Blue Ridge experts went out and took a look at their AC system to figure out the problem, and offer the best solution to make their home cool again! 

Their AC Was Low On Refrigerant

Air conditioners use refrigerant to cool the air and then disperse it into your home. In the case of older air conditioning systems, they used primarily R-22 (Freon). That was the case for this air conditioner. 

The R-22 was low, and in order for the AC to work properly again they were going to have to refill on R-22. Unfortunately, that’s not as easy as it once was. In 2020, the United States halted production and importation of R-22. This gas is harmful to the environment and ozone layer. In an effort to reduce our carbon footprint in the U.S., lawmakers decided to make this change in 2020. 

Now that doesn’t mean R-22 isn’t available, it’s just very expensive. And the truth is, it’s only going to get worse until it finally runs out. This made the homeowner think that instead of just using this very expensive temporary fix, maybe they should really fix the problem with a new AC system. 

Installing A New Heat Pump

The homeowners decided they wanted to install a new heat pump. Heat pumps are one of our favorite types of system to install for a few reasons. First of all, this system is able to use the same ductwork that the old air conditioner used as well. So there was no need to install new ductwork or do anything too invasive when installing the new HVAC system. 

As for the benefits of a heat pump, there are a few: 

Energy Efficiency – Lower Energy Bills

Heat pumps are designed to be extremely energy efficient, especially the ones that we are installing in 2024. These systems use a heat transfer process that consumes less energy than traditional HVAC systems do. 

One of the reasons this homeowner wanted to swap systems was that the energy bills were very high, on top of the fact that the home wasn’t getting cool. Now, the energy bills are going to be lower than before, and the home is going to be more comfortable as well! 

Heating And Cooling

Heat pumps provide both heating and cooling, as opposed to air conditioners that only cool. This homeowner actually had a functioning heating system, but they knew it was also older, and was going to have to be replaced in the next 3-5 years most likely. 

When they heard about the heat pump’s ability to provide heating and air conditioning, they figured why not address both systems right now. They decided to have the heat pump installed, eliminating their need for 2 separate HVAC systems. 

Using a heat pump also eliminates the need for gas or oil. Heat pumps use electricity to function, rather than the combustion of gas or oil to create heat. Not only is this better for the environment, but it also helps make your energy bills more predictable, not having to worry about the fluctuating price of gas or oil. 

Environmentally Friendly

As we mentioned before, heat pumps are extremely energy efficient, and therefore are going to leave less of a carbon footprint than other HVAC systems. This is the reason why heat pumps are normally eligible for rebates and tax credits. Different government programs designed to reduce energy consumption will offer businesses and homeowners incentives to install this energy efficient equipment. 

The Inflation Reduction Act offers up to $2000 in tax credits when you install an energy efficient heat pump in your home. Other energy companies, like Duke Energy, offer rebates on new energy efficient heat pumps as well.

Not only are these systems going to keep the space more comfortable, but they are also going to help out the environment. In the meantime, make sure you take advantage of whatever rebates and tax credits are available for your new equipment. 

Heat Pump Installation In Brevard, NC 

This heat pump installation took us a single day to complete. Fortunately for us, it was easy to swap out the old air conditioning system for the new Armstrong heat pump. We did put a new air handler in the basement, which is going to distribute the conditioned air throughout the home. All in all, it was a pretty standard installation, and the homeowner couldn’t be happier with how smoothly it all went, and how comfortable their home now is! 

If you live in the Brevard, NC area, or the surrounding neighborhoods, and are in need of some help with your HVAC system, let us know! We have experts here who can help you assess the problem, and offer the right solution to keep your home comfortable all year long!