Home HVAC Question

[asphaltgambler]

We have a Lennox 'Innovator' series that is a frequency drive unit that's @20 years old, original to our house. My research tells me that in its day it was a very well built unit. So Thurs when the temps in our area hit the 90's decided it wasn't happy.

The evaporator would start to freeze in about 20- 30 mins. Had a guy come out that was highly recommended, he checks it thoroughly and the low side starts dropping off pressure. He adds a little freon but then shortly, it happens again evap starts to freeze. High side pressure constant 220psi.

He said the expansion valve is failing, I agree. So I ask him what the approx cost. He goes out, checks with the local supplier but couldn't get an answer as cell service here is really bad.

I say to him, well give me what you think the valve replacement cost may be. He says straightaway...........$1500.00.............

I try to keep my poker face and then say "That for the whole job?" Him " No, just the part........

He goes on to say because it's old, because it's R-22, because, because.

Ok, please give me a written estimate as soon as possible, then we'll go from there. He then gives me a price for a new Trane system of 14 SEER spec for $6800.00 installed.


After he leaves, I look up online and found the OE replacement valve ( Parker) for $168.00..........

My plan when calls back is to tell him I found the OE part online just in case he couldn't- before he gives me the estimate.

What say you?

[Cajundaddy]

A fairly common practice with older units unfortunately. They see some rust and a possible can o worms and just bid a new one to see what happens. Probably 50% say yes.

A new one will be more reliable, quieter, and use 1/2 as much energy to cool the house but... without looking at it, sounds like your old one is a pretty simple fix. My HVAC is 35 yrs old *gulp* but I have repaired it 4-5 times, it cools the house, and doesn't kill me on electricity. It does sound like a B-29 taking off if you are near it when it starts up.

[IS300]

Find a general contractor who can refer someone to you, should be a few hundred plus parts

[HaroldMHedge]

So the. Contractor gave you a quote for a new system. The first thing I would check on tbe system is which refrigerant it is using. A lot of these are being phased out.

So, what happens if the refrigerant is gone before the warranty has not expired?

[BK911]

Usually freezing evap is due to low refrigerant or low airflow.
He checked pressures and thought low ref.
I'd check the airflow too.
Dirty filters, dirty coil (when was the last time you sprayed your coils?)
Then decide if you want to spend the 1500.

[Mike80911]

Originally Posted by BK911

Usually freezing evap is due to low refrigerant or low airflow.
He checked pressures and thought low ref.
I'd check the airflow too.
Dirty filters, dirty coil (when was the last time you sprayed your coils?)
Then decide if you want to spend the 1500.

+1 Check at the return line and make sure nothing is blocked causing poor return air flow. I just had my system replaced. It was 28 years old and was working fine but I did not want to get stuck when it did go. The old system was R22 and we used the same air handler so had to find a compatible compressor. Very few to chose from but I did get a great York unit and I am very happy with it.

[nota]

local ads say under 3k for 16eer 5 ton installed rheem

[dad911]

Nota is correct. Unless $6800 includes swapping the furnace/air handler also.

[Alan A]

Don’t you need to change all the lines to go from 22 to 134?

[cabmandone]

I just replaced the txv on my parents 29 year old Carrier split system heat pump. Cost? $24 for r22 (1.5 lbs) $160 for new TXV and my labor which was about 4 hours total which cost them nothing. Mark up the r22 $50. Mark up the valve $320 and add about $600 labor plus a $125 trip charge and that should be the total.

[nota]

btw they can and should recover and reuse the f-22 so no need to pay $100 per many lbs of gas

gas is likely most of his 1500

[cabmandone]

R22 came WAY down in price. I can buy a 30 lb tank for about $12 per pound. Most of his estimate is time. Whether hes there or not while the vacuum pump is running, the cash register is ringing. Shouldn't need to recover the gas just pump the system down.

[bob deluke]

Figure about $12-1400.00/ton of cooling. Eg. 3 ton unit about $3600.00-$4200.00. Evap coils are cheap, about $2-300.00 for an A coil, slab coil a little cheaper. His price seems high to me. Get the highest s.e.e.r unit you can afford, usually 12-14 s.e.e.r. I think some units may be 16-18 now. Getting into summer cooling season now, so dealers are going to charge accordingly. Kinda got the consumer by the short hairs....

[asphaltgambler]

So no problem with air flow until the evap starts to freeze from the low pressure dropping off and the high humidity. When it's working right I get a delta of @ 19 degrees between intake and vent - which is very good. You can watch the low pressure start to slowly drop off after some time, the TXV is no ' throttling ' properly

[asphaltgambler]

So now waiting for his call back. I've already decid as heed to buy the part unless he adjusts his price significantly. Also, there's o need for additional R22 as they should be recycling it.

[cabmandone]

Have you verified that the TXV sensing bulb isn't just loose on the suction line?

[billybek]

Originally Posted by cabmando

Have you verified that the TXV sensing bulb isn't just loose on the suction line?

I had typed this about times before i gave up, my laptop keyboard is failing.

Edit
I guess my five isn't working either...

[asphaltgambler]

I'm not sure but I definitely will look again- you guys rock!

[asphaltgambler]

I removed the panel covering the evaporator assy and yes the bulb is attached firmly via small bracket to the suction hard line. While I was in there poking around- cleaned the fins /coils with spray-nine which worked excellent then sprayed hot water to rinse. They were pretty clean already- but decided to do some basic maintenance. Also, in the evap drain tray noticed @ 3/8" standing water with some mold starting. Turns out the main drain opening out of the tray was partially blocked at the bottom and the water wouldn't drain until it accumulated to that point.

So I cleaned that out, rinsed with hot water and spray-nine and now drains completely as designed. Then I took the lower panel off to access the blower to inspect and found a fair amount of debris caked onto the fins of the squirrel cage as well as various spots on the rim. So I vacuumed that stuff out. I'm sure this help the imbalance as when the unit ran it had a slight resonant vibration. Just like when a car rim / tire has snow or mud built up in one spot.

Tomorrow am, I'm ordering the TXV and I'll fi d someone to evacuate/ charge. I'll keep y'all updated