I just had a home inspection for the sale of my condo. My outside unit is 2.5 tons and the air handler is 2 tons. The inspector said that the outside unit can not be larger than the air handler and that I have to replace one or the other. I've lived here for 4+ years and the AC unit is a 2001. I assume both were replaced about 7-10 years ago... the building was built in 1998. We've never had an issue with the AC or heat working properly. So what's the deal? Is the mismatch some sort of code violation or safety hazard? It really burns me if I have to throw out a perfectly good unit and spend money replacing it because this guy is making a big deal of it.

FYI - The air handler is a Janitrol AR24-1 and the compressor outside is a Janitrol CPLE30-1.

According to the model of the units you supplied the inside units coil is to small for the outside unit. The inspectors call is correct in that regards and unless you can prove different you might be spending some $$$ to replace. I would have the inside coil looked at by a professional to see if it could be a 30,000 BTU coil in a 24,000 BTU cabinet. That will be a long shot but you never know.

I believe the compressor is actually rated at 28000 BTU.

So my question is - what code or regulation does this violate? What is the danger here... considering this combination has worked well for 8+ years without an issue. Assuming I get screwed here, how much am I looking at to replace the air handler with a larger unit or the compressor with a smaller one? I'd be going which ever option is cheapest.

what code or regulation does this violate

Manufactures install instructions


What is the danger here...considering this combination has worked well for 8+ years without an issue

Danger does not enter into the situation it is just a violation of the unit listing

Assuming I get screwed here, how much am I looking at to replace the air handler with a larger unit or the compressor with a smaller one? I'd be going which ever option is cheapest.

Actually you are really going to get screwed big time. You will have to replace both the inside and outside units to get a match with the new 13 SEER equipment. You have the EPA and other Federal Government sources to thank for that rule.
I believe you are kind of getting the shaft but the inspectors are paid to find this kind of crap so you are stuck.

Idea for you. Get a engineer to stamp a document stating that the difference between the unit model numbers is a moot point or some such thing as proven by the system performance for the past years.

Another thing to look at is the fact that someone will be getting a complete new system out of this deal. I would increase the price of the unit about 2000.00 or so and if the buyer does not want to pay sell it to someone else. Make sure you thank them for bringing the situation with the A/C to your attention since it will be easier to sell to the next buyer. LOL

Thanks. Someone on another forum said that it would be okay to install a 13 SEER air handler with a 10 SEER compressor outside. Not true?

Letting this sale go isn't really an option. I've already closed on my new house and can't afford 2 mortgages. I could easily see it taking a few months to find another buyer and by that time I'd have $3-4K into the extra mortgage payments plus the cost of the new unit(s) and likely have to pay a bigger commission... I'm currently only dealing with a buyer agent but was on the verge of listing it due to lack of interest FSBO.

Someone on another forum said that it would be okay to install a 13 SEER air handler with a 10 SEER compressor outside. Not true

It all depends upon how the inspector looks at it.

I am sure it can be done but they better install a expansion valve on the indoor coil and install a hard start kit and time delay on the older outside unit at a minimum.

The 13 SEER new inside unit has a much larger coil surface and in order to have it work properly the above extra parts need to be installed.

Check to see if the inspector will clear the defect if done as you stated since it seems he has the final decission.

Well, all the inspector knows is that the 2 units are a different size. He's not a qualified HVAC tech... just a basic home inspector. He knows enough to be dangerous... and cost me $$$... but that's about it. The limit of his knowledge was that a 2 ton air handler and 2.5 ton compressor shouldn't be paired up... in his opinion.

Is it possible that there could be a good reason to go a bit bigger on the outside unit? For instance, it sits on the ground and opposite side of the building from my 3rd floor condo where the air handler is. Would the long run for the connections mean a little oversizing of the outside unit to compensate might be reasonable? Someone else mentioned that the smaller coil in the air handler could actually mean better humidity control for some reason and it might have been an intentional "mis-match".

Is it possible that there could be a good reason to go a bit bigger on the outside unit? For instance, it sits on the ground and opposite side of the building from my 3rd floor condo where the air handler is. Would the long run for the connections mean a little oversizing of the outside unit to compensate might be reasonable? Someone else mentioned that the smaller coil in the air handler could actually mean better humidity control for some reason and it might have been an intentional "mis-match

Anything is possible but I hate to deal in guess work. If you really want to know for sure have a engineer do the calculations and see if the theory works out.