AC unit replacement

[Ciprian L.]

Hello BP,

I have a 20 year old single family in Indianapolis  that has a problem with the outside AC unit. I received a quote to replace the unit with a used one for $920 or replace it with a new system for $2940. We have the option that if the used unit fails in the next 90 days, the cost of the used unit will be deducted from the cost of the new system.

What would you do?

[Patrick L.]

I wouldn't put a used R22 system in.  My guess it's an old system with little life left on it that someone else took out to replace with a more efficient 410A system.   R22 is being phased out and the prices continue to climb, it's almost $400 for a 30lb bottle of it now.   Just bit the bullet and put a decent new system in and get 15 years out of it instead of putting in used crap that will cost you more to work on and will die within a few years.   

Also.....for $900 all you're getting is a used condenser?  I'm sure he got the unit for free and it will only take a couple hours at most to install.   Do you have a coil leak?  If so then a big chunk of the cost is probably recharging the freon. 

Here's the latest numbers on the phase out of R22.

51 million pounds allowed in 2014 to 22 million pounds beginning Jan. 1, 2015. Subsequently, 18 million pounds of new and imported R-22 will be allowed in 2016, 13 million pounds in 2017, 9 million pounds in 2018, and 4 million pounds in 2019. No new or imported R-22 will be allowed in the U.S. on or after Jan. 1, 2020.