Replacing An Old AC With A Refrigerant Leak
When your air conditioning fails, especially if it happens during a heat wave, all you can think about is getting cooler as fast as possible. Sometimes, a simple repair is the answer. But other times, it can mean replacing your AC entirely.
An Older System Wasn’t Cooling- And It Needed Refrigerant
When the owners of this ranch style home in Connestee Falls called us here at Blue Ridge Heating & Air, their AC wasn’t working at all. We went out to see what we could do, and discovered an old Trane system that still ran on Freon- also known as R22, which began to be phased out in the early 1990s due to its harmful effects on the environment. In fact, the last air conditioners using R22 were made was 2010. As a result, it is very difficult to get any remaining R22 refrigerant, and if you can find it, it’s very expensive.
When a system isn’t cooling, one of the first things we check is coolant levels. This older system had developed pinhole leaks, which happens when the metal heats and cools repeatedly over time- metal fatigue sets in, and leaks and cracks can develop after many years of use. While we could replace the worn parts, getting more refrigerant for the system would be expensive, and it would likely be a short term fix given the age of the system.
Can You Retrofit Systems?
The newer refrigerants that are used in newer AC systems are more environmentally friendly, but they also require a higher pressure within the system itself- meaning that older systems can’t simply be adapted to use a newer refrigerant- they really do need to be replaced.
Given the age of the system and the expense involved in trying to repair it and recharge the system, we recommended they consider a new AC system that would be much more efficient, and would use the newer refrigerant as well.
Choosing A New System
For this ranch style home, we recommended a York air conditioning system and replacing the indoor coil. York systems are known for being high quality and budget-friendly, and the new system would get the homeowners comfortable in no time. Brand new York systems also come with a ten year warranty, and most systems tend to work for between 15
– 20 years before being replaced.
Caring For Your System
Like any piece of equipment in your home, how you are for it will help determine how long it lasts. The experts here at Blue Ridge Heating & Air have a list of things you can do to help keep your system going strong, but one of the first things you should do is have your system services twice a year. By having your HVAC system tuned up and serviced twice a year, the preventative maintenance can make sure any parts getting unusual wear and tear are spotted and replaced before anything is damaged. Additionally, keeping your system tuned up will keep it running efficiently, which means you end up using less energy to keep cool, saving you money every month on your energy bill.
New systems like this York system may also qualify for tax credits under the Inflation reduction Act! In addition to rebates from your local energy company, newer more efficiency systems may qualify for tax rebates of up to $2500, which can make replacing your older, less efficient system more affordable as well.
If your Ac is struggling to keep you and your family comfortable, give us a call here at Blue Ridge Heating and Air. We’ll be happy to evaluate your system, and help you understand what to expect in terms of life expectancy from your system, and whether it’s time to start thinking about a new system. If you are ready for a new system, we’ll help you find something that meets your budget, and helps increase your energy efficiency, leading to lower energy bills every month0 something every homeowner can appreciate! Just give us a call and let us help!