Aldeer.com Forums Alabama Deer Talk Aldeer General Forum Another HVAC Question

Been kicking the can down the road long enough and have to do something. House is appr. 2100sq ft, built in 1996. Unit was replaced in 2009-2010 with a 410A system, gas furnace. Suspected leak in evaporator, has been low on refrigerant every year the past couple of years. A friends HVAC company is coming this afternoon to look and give me options. What would you do?

1) Replace everything with a heat pump system
2)Replace AC side and retain current furnace
3)Replace AC and furnace
4) Buy a window unit for every bedroom and spend the rest on ribs and Budweiser

I would pick #3. It’s painful but at least it will be over and done with for a long time.

I am kinda partial to gas heat, and think I want to retain that. AC and furnace are in attic if that matters.

Why do you think the leak is in evaporator?

Long story short, the past 7-8 years, it has needed refrigerant. I didn't buy the house until 2022. Prior to that, my aunt and dad owned the house after inheriting it from my grandmother on her death in 2017. She just called the company that she uses, and they would come put refrigerant in it. After I bought it, I asked the question of if we have to put gas in it every year, where is it going? I called another company May of 2024 and he looked at it and suspected it had a leak in the evaporator. Ran fine until last fall when it seemed to no be cooling. This year I havent ran it as I assume the pressure is too low to kick compressor on. I've just been using window units since about the only time I am home is to sleep. Just going off what I have been told and know.

I would go with 2 or 3. I would try to find a trustworthy HVAC guy and ask him, since Inwould be leaning more towards #2.

I always loved gas heat and I believe it is more efficient that an heat pump; although, we have had a heat pump for the last 30+years.

If it's natural gas, stay with gas heat. If it's lp gas, go heat pump.

Option 5
I have a heat pump but never use the heat. We have three gas space heaters that are WONDERFUL in the winter.

Been using heat pump for 30 years, Goodman and Trane. It's fine in the summer for AC, sux in the winter. We use gas fireplace and space heaters if its below 35 degrees. I would not get rid of a gas furnace if I had the option. As far as Trane or Goodman, I have had great service from both.

Good news is your friend will shoot you straight.

If it was me. I'd find out exactly where the leak is. It could be something small and inexpensive (comparatively). Even if it was an evaporator. I'd probably get that swapped if possible.
The problem with that is. Some shops will send some jackleg out that's gonna tell you the whole system needs to be replaced , so he can get his little kickback bonus.
But I've seen leaks on brass connectors that could be tightened with pliers. But I like to have as much information as possible before I make a decision. They make a sniffer or dye to help identify leaks. Which is more accurate than someone assuming that since it's a slow leak "it's probably on the low side (evaporator coils) "

I would have some leak test the unit with a sniffer to confirm if there is a leak first, and where it is - suspecting a leak is reasonable, but replacing parts based on a suspicion is lousy work. Repair/replace that part and keep on truckin if possible.

I'm in the "fix it as long as it can be fixed" camp.....but [most] HVAC companies will straight up lie to you and tell you it absolutely CANNOT be fixed because they'd rather sell you a $10k system than a $1500 repair...

Unless I started getting into the neighborhood of $3-4k+ for a potential repair, I'm not interested in replacing.

Mine was replaced in 2016, and just had to replace a TXV valve, 2 months out of warranty. Job was $1500, the part was $600, Freon was about $550, and the rest was labor. It's a heat pump, I don't have the option for anything else, unless I want a propane tank, which I don't. I really don't have any issues unless it gets below about 25 degrees. The new heat pumps, with inverters supposedly do a better job of heating.

If you replace it, get a 2 stage compressor, that will help you on your power bill.

He came and looked at it, haven't had a chance to talk to him. The furnace is natural gas, and may be original to the house. I do remember I put a control board and an ignitor in it, can't remember when. Will report back when I get more information.

I too am a fix it if it can be fixed, but hate to pump a bunch of money into an old outdated system that's at the end of its lifespan I am going to be forced to replace anyway.

I'd replace it all but stay with gas furnace.

Pressurize with nitrogen, find the leak, make a decision from there. I’d check valve stems and king valves first with bubbles. I’d stick with gas heat.

I can tell you who/company/ NOT to call
Good luck with your repair whichever route you take

Iam gonna be the Lone Ranger here and say #1. Gas prices are extremely unstable. I got burnt bad one winter and said never again.

What is APCO using at the steam plants these days? I don't see coal car lined up like I used to.