Right around 2010, the EPA has pushed for the phase-out of R22 in central air AC systems. So the refrigerant thatt the furnace-makers have used for decades has been outlawed in new AC systems. The industry-wide replacement, R410a has not been as reliable. Since the introduction of R410a, circa 2010 (approx.), the AC evaporator coils have been plagued by leaks. While your AC manufacturers will deny it, ALL manufacturers have had problems with leaky coils, some manufacturers have been plagued with it much more than others. The R410a units manufactured for a few years after 2010 used copper components that have had lots of problems and the replacements have had a lot more aluminum content. Most manufacturers will replace your leaky units under warranty, others have not been so forthcoming. Your local AC techs may not admit to it, but the replacement coils have been leaking also. In other words, some manufacturers do not yet have the manufacturing of R410a coils figured out.
As far as the comments that the high-efficiency units have been reliable, that's only reassuring if your unit has been been trouble free.
If your unit has the newer X13 blower motor (Google it), have fun paying a lot more for the replacement verses the same type of blower motor that was used 15-20 years ago. The newer units also rely on more complex circuit boards, something that your older furnace/AC techs will just generally be parts replacers instead of true techs. Most of your furnace techs can't troubleshoot a modulating furnace either.
The industry is also considering phasing out the R410a refrigerant also. The new standard was to be phased in within a couple of years, although the exact replacement has not been perfected yet.
My post is not to deter you in getting a new furnace or AC system. It's just that it probably won't be as reliable as the ones built a decade ago.
As far as the comments that the high-efficiency units have been reliable, that's only reassuring if your unit has been been trouble free.
If your unit has the newer X13 blower motor (Google it), have fun paying a lot more for the replacement verses the same type of blower motor that was used 15-20 years ago. The newer units also rely on more complex circuit boards, something that your older furnace/AC techs will just generally be parts replacers instead of true techs. Most of your furnace techs can't troubleshoot a modulating furnace either.
The industry is also considering phasing out the R410a refrigerant also. The new standard was to be phased in within a couple of years, although the exact replacement has not been perfected yet.
My post is not to deter you in getting a new furnace or AC system. It's just that it probably won't be as reliable as the ones built a decade ago.
