20 yr old Bryant A/C furnace unit.

[Papa Bear]

I have a 20 yr old Bryant Hi-efficiency (plus 90) furnace and Hi-Efficiency A/C compressor. The A/C compressor cycles on and off every few minutes and doesn't cool. Service tech says probably rusted evap coil ....
Worth putting an evap coil in it ? Should I add some R-22 to the unit and see if it works ? Time to replace furnace/AC assy ?
Your thoughts, please... mine aren't working today.

 

[bluestream]

Check your prsssure and go from there. New unit if you can afford one IMO..

 

[2oldtommy]

Rust?? I can't believe any coil made 20 years ago would be of a ferrous material. Have you checked? these coils are usually copper with AL fins in my unit. I would question anyone who told me the coil was "Rusted".FWIW--Oldtommy

 

[Corvette Owner]

What is your seer/efficiency number?

You would benefit from a new unit due to advances.

Be prepared to pay a lot, these have gone up ! A 2.5 ton heatpump can cost $4500 plus. I assume you have a heatpump.

UPDATE: I see you have a gas furnace. I offer same advice, since both efficiencies have improved.

 

[Al]

Get another A/C man. This one doesn't know what he is talking about.

You need to check pressures or as a second best effort you need a clamp-on ammeter to check the compressor load.

You need at least a 20 degree drop/rise across the evap and condenser coils. The compressor might be short cycling on low evap pressure or maybe the evaporator fan is not running in which case its going out on high pressure.

Trouble shooting these things is not rocket science if you know the basic principles. Like I said your A/C&R man sounds like he is lacking.

 

[greenaccord02]

See what they want to install the new coil before making any decision. How does the rest of the system look in terms of longevity? Do you think you could get a lot more use out of the unit if it were fixed? What would a new unit cost?

I'd weigh the answers and see what looks like the right decision.

 

[ET16]

I think I'd go new on a 20-year-old unit.

 

[MNgopher]

Did the service tech actually inspect the unit? Perform any testing? Or is all of this just a reaction to what symptoms you are observing?

A service tech that is doing their job would run the applicable tests and provide an accurate diagnosis so you could evaluate your costs...

 

[merdog]

Hay Papa Bear:
I use to be in the A/C business a few years ago. Here is a couple of suggestions. You can change the condenser ( the box the fan and compressor and the coils that are out side) and get a new warranty for around 2k. Or you can get a new Energy Star Furnace and A/C bid and have your utility company give you a sweet rebate on the whole system... And they will finance it for you real cheap. Don"t let the first bid be the only one you get, there are allot of real rip off artist out there so watch out!

 

[rshaw125]

Originally Posted By: Al
Get another A/C man. This one doesn't know what he is talking about.

You need to check pressures or as a second best effort you need a clamp-on ammeter to check the compressor load.

You need at least a 20 degree drop/rise across the evap and condenser coils. The compressor might be short cycling on low evap pressure or maybe the evaporator fan is not running in which case its going out on high pressure.

Trouble shooting these things is not rocket science if you know the basic principles. Like I said your A/C&R man sounds like he is lacking.


+1. It may not be much wrong with it. It may be time for a little maintenance.

 

[Schmoe]

Dude, you are chasing a ghost. Change it out. 20 years is a good service life.

 

[Al]

Originally Posted By: Schmoe
Dude, you are chasing a ghost. Change it out. 20 years is a good service life.

And if you do change it out go smaller rather then bigger. You want it to run more and longer periods of time so you get more dehumidification.

A/C&R people always talk the uninformed into a bigger unit bc people want mega cool and don't want to wait..and by doing this the company has fewer call backs. Oh and larger units cost more also.

 

[SteveSRT8]

Note that last year we dumped a 4 ton Carrier system in our home, replaced with Amana 18 seer unit inside and out.

Cut our electric bills in half this year! Wish I had done it sooner!

 

[Papa Bear]

Thanks, Guys, it's been quite busy around here the last few days and I haven't had a chance to post back here.
A friend who works for an HVAC company came over Friday afternoon and charged the system, no leaks were found in a quick visual inspection and the unit is working like new again. He says he has a few buddies who need topping up every year or two but he won't go back twice in one year. So, we'll see how long it goes and make the necessary decision when the time comes.

Friend said he'd install a Rheem Classic 2 stage 60K Hi-Efficiency (95%) furnace and 2 ton Rheem Classic 16 seer A/C if needed for $5,200. Sounds quite reasonable.

 

[merdog]

Hey Papa Bear:
See if your utility company will give you 1500 to 2k rebate on that same unit because it is energy efficient! It will make it a lot easier on your pocket book.
Rick