New Consequences of Eco-Friendly Freon

In January we rolled into a new era where the old refrigerant R-22 is discontinued and moving forward there will only be the newer, more environmentally-friendly R-410. All new units being built are now R-410. The R-22 that is currently in the supply chain will remain and much will be recycled so R-22 will be available just at a higher price.

We recently had a customer with a seven-year-old home and a heat pump system for the basement level. As is often the case with builders grade equipment with a five year compressor warranty the compressor had failed and it is an R-22 unit. Just a few years ago we could replace a small compressor for around $1,200.00 complete done to manufacturers specifications. These days with R-22 prices up about 600%  and compressors for r-22 systems not being built anymore the compressor replacement price is closer to $2,500.00.  That’s really a lot for a builders grade seven-year-old unit that has no warranty on the rest of the parts and the new compressor only carries a one year warranty.

The more logical choice is to move on up to a new condenser, you can get the whole outdoor unit for only a few hundred dollars more and it comes with a ten year warranty on all OEM parts and at least a 10 year compressor warranty. Except. All the new units are now R-410 and not compatible with that seven year old air handler that is currently part of the system so in order to move up to a new condenser you also have to install a new air handler for about $1,200.

The bottom line is that you will end up with a much more efficient system. The old unit was 10 seer when it was installed only seven years ago and probably would rate only an 8 now. The new system will have a 14 seer rating, have a ten year warranty on all oem parts and have our Lifetime Unit Replacement Warranty on the compressor.