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Kaminoan · May 25, 2012, 11:34 AM

9 months ago I had my evaporator go out on my A/C. I was faced with the question everyone is currently facing, go to R410 or stay with R22. If I stayed with R22 I didn't need to change the compressor. I spoke with the repair people (from home warranty) and they told me I could install evaporator X which could (with valve replacement) be converted at a later date to R410 when the compressor failed. They did a great job and everything looked perfect, I was really impressed. 9 months later the compressor is failing (buring through a capacitor once every 9-11 months). So the compressor is failing. Now the hone warranty's repair guy (different company) is telling me that I can't convert because of an oil mis-match between the R22 and the 410. My questions are, can these systems be cleaned and converted? What are the risks to cleaning and converting? Should I convert or merely install an R22 compressor to match what is currently in there? Why am I getting double talk from these two different repair groups? Is there a way to test the oil to determine which is present in the R22? The reason for the last question is I called the group that installed the evaporator and they stated that many are using the same poe oils in both R22 and 410a so this might not even be an issue. Is this true? Thanks

Frank Mangrum · May 25, 2012, 01:16 PM

Originally Posted by Kaminoan

9 months ago I had my evaporator go out on my A/C. I was faced with the question everyone is currently facing, go to R410 or stay with R22. If I stayed with R22 I didn't need to change the compressor. I spoke with the repair people (from home warranty) and they told me I could install evaporator X which could (with valve replacement) be converted at a later date to R410 when the compressor failed. They did a great job and everything looked perfect, I was really impressed. 9 months later the compressor is failing (buring through a capacitor once every 9-11 months). So the compressor is failing. Now the hone warranty's repair guy (different company) is telling me that I can't convert because of an oil mis-match between the R22 and the 410. My questions are, can these systems be cleaned and converted? What are the risks to cleaning and converting? Should I convert or merely install an R22 compressor to match what is currently in there? Why am I getting double talk from these two different repair groups? Is there a way to test the oil to determine which is present in the R22? The reason for the last question is I called the group that installed the evaporator and they stated that many are using the same poe oils in both R22 and 410a so this might not even be an issue. Is this true? Thanks

You will have to replace outdoor unit with new 410A system. If refrigerant lines are the same size that new unit requires then you can use same line set . You will need to flush existing refrigerant lines and your existing indoor coil at the same time replace existing TXV ( R-22 ) with TXV for 410-A on existing evaporator coil.

hvac1000 · May 25, 2012, 01:39 PM

Goodman and a few other company's make a replacement R-22 designed unit for the outside. They come shipped from the factory with NO refrigerant R-22. I just saw one installed two weeks ago. Here are some links for you to read.

R-22 Equipment Is Being Shipped â??Dry'

Goodman 13 SEER 2.5 Ton Cooling Only Condensing Unit with R-22 :: Outdoor Condensing Units :: AC 4 Life, Inc.

Goodman 13 SEER 2.0 Ton Heat Pump Condensing Unit with R-22 :: Outdoor Condensing Units :: AC 4 Life, Inc.

Comfort Star R22 units [Archive] - HVAC-Talk: Heating, Air & Refrigeration Discussion

If you read these links you will soon find out that these units are considered repair units and have no factory R-22 charge. This is legal and falls under the repair parts clause in the EPA regulations. It is completely legal to sell and install these units and if purchased from a legitimate dealer (not on line purchase) you get a warranty. I only mention this because most if not all on line purchases are not covered by a factory warranty. For further explanation of this see the manufactures site OR call the various manufactures. Good luck.

Kaminoan · May 25, 2012, 01:40 PM

But it is possible to flush the R22 from this new (9 month old) evaporator (coil?) and not worry about the oil issue? I know the evaporator is rated for R410.

I realize the compressor will have to go, just trying to figure out if both the compressor and the 9 month old evaporator both have to go to switch to R410.

Thanks

Frank Mangrum · May 25, 2012, 02:19 PM

Originally Posted by Kaminoan

But it is possible to flush the R22 from this new (9 month old) evaporator (coil?) and not worry about the oil issue? I know the evaporator is rated for R410.

I realize the compressor will have to go, just trying to figure out if both the compressor and the 9 month old evaporator both have to go to switch to R410.

Thanks

YOU ARE NOT FLUSHING THE R22 BUT THE REFRIGERANT OIL FROM THE EXISTING TUBING AND THE 9 month coil. R-22 is getting so expensive you need to convert to 410-A----That means Replace entire outdoor unit and the TXV on existing 9 month old indoor coil will be cheapest way to go.

Frank Mangrum · May 25, 2012, 02:23 PM

Originally Posted by hvac1000

Goodman and a few other company's make a replacement R-22 designed unit for the outside. They come shipped from the factory with NO refrigerant R-22. I just saw one installed two weeks ago. Here are some links for you to read.

R-22 Equipment Is Being Shipped â??Dry'

Goodman 13 SEER 2.5 Ton Cooling Only Condensing Unit with R-22 :: Outdoor Condensing Units :: AC 4 Life, Inc.

Goodman 13 SEER 2.0 Ton Heat Pump Condensing Unit with R-22 :: Outdoor Condensing Units :: AC 4 Life, Inc.

Comfort Star R22 units [Archive] - HVAC-Talk: Heating, Air & Refrigeration Discussion

If you read these links you will soon find out that these units are considered repair units and have no factory R-22 charge. This is legal and falls under the repair parts clause in the EPA regulations. It is completely legal to sell and install these units and if purchased from a legitimate dealer (not on line purchase) you get a warranty. I only mention this because most if not all on line purchases are not covered by a factory warranty. For further explanation of this see the manufactures site OR call the various manufactures. Good luck.

R22 is being phased out and the price is now sky-rocketing on R22. I don't recommend these dry systems. You are right your method would be cheaper--But what about down the road--Remember the R-12 price increase when EPA phased the refrigerant out? Its at best a gamble.