Our A/C unit is slowly going on the fritz: struggling to provide cool air, now the 2nd time this summer. Technician came out to the house and suggested we remove the current unit, which uses R-22, and replace it with one that uses R410-A since the R-22 is getting forced out anyway.

Now my understanding, based on a few threads I've read here, is that starting in 2010 I won't have a choice, since any newly-manufactured A/C unit will no longer be allowed to use R-22. But that's 16 months from now.

So...ignoring the issue of what's better for the environment, would it not be simpler and cheaper (at least in terms of upfront costs, which is important to me) to simply yank out the old A/C unit and put in another that uses R-22, before the 2010 deadline? It isn't clear to me I guess how much work and $$$ is needed to swap out an old A/C unit for a new one, if both are based on the same R-22 technology.

Any thoughts appreciated.

R-22 refrigerant will be around for a long time so service will not be a problem. R -410 is the new kid on the block and it is the wave of the future.
R-410 unit will probably cost a bit more to buy and install since the copper line set might have to be replaced due to oil compatibility problem from R-22 to R-410. Now some say they just flush the lines so that is a toss up also.

I have R-22 used in all three of my units and I took the steps to stock replacement outside condensing units so when they fail I can just replace the outside unit. (I like to keep spare parts around LOL)

The final discission is up to you and I would search Google and this board for other opinions.

Hvac,

Thanks for your thoughts. I will google around for more input, but regardless of what decision I make, what are the important questions to be asking of any contractor that I would hire to do the job? I have read that proper installation is critical for performance.

what are the important questions to be asking of any contractor that I would hire to do the job

Call some of his customers to see if they are happy. (have him supply the numbers.)
Call the BBB to see if he lied and how many people are unhappy with him.

Other than that it would be a lot of technical questions and I do not believe you want to go there.