New air conditioner or just replace freon?

[Anonymous]

How do you know when it's time to replace air conditioner versus just adding more freon? Repairman told us we needed a new unit b/c it was leaking freon. New unit is over $10k. How do you know for sure that you need whole new unit?

[Anonymous]

We just had a part replaced on a 2004 air conditioner for $400. Our repairperson told us that if we ever spring a coolant leak, it's game over for the unit. But our system wasn't leaky.

I did some research and found it is true. It's extremely unlikely I could find recaptured coolant gas for my vintage of A/C unit and retrofitting doesn't work well so repairpeople don't sell that service.

You need to know the age of your unit and the exact coolant gas that's in it. And shop around for a new unit. People use "freon" generically. No way to know if you are being b.s.'ed unless you have facts and multiple price quotes.

[Anonymous]

https://www.supertechhvac.com/r22-freon-ac/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How do you know when it's time to replace air conditioner versus just adding more freon? Repairman told us we needed a new unit b/c it was leaking freon. New unit is over $10k. How do you know for sure that you need whole new unit?

Start with how old it is. If it's 15-20 years - time to start planning.

But I wouldn't replace now unless the leak is profound - I would look at getting freon topped off for now and plan to replace in Sep/Oct if that's the route you are going to go.

I had a leak that, for what ever reason, seems to have "fixed itself".... I had to top off the freon and then two summers later had to top off again and then starting planning to replace it but it's been holding since then and this was all about 8 years ago. I have no idea of why/how it's been holding since then... My unit is from the mid 90's so I know I'm on borrowed time.

[Anonymous]

https://www.reddit.com/r/HVAC/comments/cgzef9/comment/eungmik/

[Anonymous]

OP here - is it worth looking for a leak in the system if we keep having to add Freon every summer?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - is it worth looking for a leak in the system if we keep having to add Freon every summer?

A pinhole leak would be almost impossible to find, yet would likely mean one needed a Freon-like recharge annually.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - is it worth looking for a leak in the system if we keep having to add Freon every summer?

A pinhole leak would be almost impossible to find, yet would likely mean one needed a Freon-like recharge annually.

How long can you go juts replacing freon? It only needs to last through the end of summer...would be cheaper than replacing whole unit.

[Anonymous]

Isn’t it illegal to be leaking Freon? I know it’s super expensive though

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How do you know when it's time to replace air conditioner versus just adding more freon? Repairman told us we needed a new unit b/c it was leaking freon. New unit is over $10k. How do you know for sure that you need whole new unit?

Start with how old it is. If it's 15-20 years - time to start planning.

But I wouldn't replace now unless the leak is profound - I would look at getting freon topped off for now and plan to replace in Sep/Oct if that's the route you are going to go.

I had a leak that, for what ever reason, seems to have "fixed itself".... I had to top off the freon and then two summers later had to top off again and then starting planning to replace it but it's been holding since then and this was all about 8 years ago. I have no idea of why/how it's been holding since then... My unit is from the mid 90's so I know I'm on borrowed time.

We are in the exact situation. We topped off during our spring maintenance and will look at replacing our unit this fall. We have replaced the coil several times which had small leaks. Wondering if a heat pump should be installed instead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Isn’t it illegal to be leaking Freon? I know it’s super expensive though

I think there is a Freon substitute that is used now.

[Anonymous]

Jumping on this, but are there any rebates available when replacing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Jumping on this, but are there any rebates available when replacing?

Sometimes your utility provider may provide a rebate, the manufacturer of the unit may provide a rebate, you might get a slight break on your homeowner's insurance. Probably best to suck it up and buy a new unit. We had a 30-year old unit that they didn't even make any more and freon wasn't available in the US anymore. We called bs on the freon and did research ourselves. They didn't lie. It stung to replace it, but it had to be done and no complaints!

[Anonymous]

Ask your friends, coworkers, neighbors for AC guy recommendation. Most of the AC companies want to get a new system. Easy money to them and less work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ask your friends, coworkers, neighbors for AC guy recommendation. Most of the AC companies want to get a new system. Easy money to them and less work.

I highly recommend this. We had what we thought was a reputable larger company out for a tune-up recently (Sila). They claimed we had a Freon leak and it wasn’t a type of Freon they serviced. They said we likely need a new system. My normal HVAC guy came over the next day when we texted him (he wasn’t available for the tune up in our time frame). He said we needed no such thing. System is definitely old (15 years) but still hanging in there.