Shenanigans. I call Shenanigans! 🙂
To upgrade a system from A–> where B is twice the cooling capacity and about the same heating capacity I’ll need to upgrade some things most homeowners never thing about.
First, a new electrical circuit to deliver 50-A instead of 30-A that is currently being used. This is understood. Larger compressor and bigger fan. Next, I’ll also need a new line set for the refrigerant. No, not because the old one is necessarily bad, but simply insufficient in transporting a larger amount of refrigerant.
Then, there is the “we forgot to tell you” about removing the old equipment. No, “we are not going to charge you for removal and disposal”, but they also do not want you keeping it either. I figured if the compressor, condensor coil and fan are good along with the evaporator coil and air handler, why not migrate that system to the 1100 SqFt basement?
Core charge. WTF? I’ve never heard such a thing. This ain’t no auto parts store. Nothing in any verbal discussion or any quotation in documented form (electronic or paper) denoted a core charge. BTW, this was HVAC #5 from this morning. I told him where he could take his core charge. 🙂 I’m not throwing a working system away, not giving it away. How many charge people core charges so homeowners can keep a system? Its one thing to charge to relocate a system to an unfinished basement, but just to keep?
Replies
"Next, I'll also need a new line set for the refrigerant. No, not because the old one is necessarily bad, but simply insufficient in transporting a larger amount of refrigerant."
Also there is a good chance that you are going from R-22 to R-410 (not sure of the numbers) refigerant. They use different oils and it is not practical to clean them enough to reuse them, even if they are the right sizes.
"I figured if the compressor, condensor coil and fan are good along with the evaporator coil and air handler, why not migrate that system to the 1100 SqFt basement?"
A) you know that you a leak somewhere and it might be in one of those parts.
B) what for? Haven't you already said that the basement is sufficiently cooled?
" No, "we are not going to charge you for removal and disposal", but they also do not want you keeping it either. "
That is not true. You know it and they know it.
If they have to do X hours of labor then will charge Y dollars for it.
Now, it might be included in some other part of the bill, but the cost and charge it there.
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
Also there is a good chance that you are going from R-22 to R-410 (not sure of the numbers) refigerant. They use different oils and it is not practical to clean them enough to reuse them, even if they are the right sizes.
Actually, in most cases, linesets for 13 SEER 410-A systems are comparable to lineset sizes for 10 and 12 SEER R22 systems.
13 SEER R22 systems 2.5 tons and up will have larger lineset sizes than the 10 and 12 SEER systems they replace. Some manufacturers have upsized linesets from 1.5 tons and up.
You are correct about the oils not being compatible, and it isn't practical to clean the linesets. Any R22 oil left in the system will always stay there in a R410-A system- the 410-A does not pick up the mineral based oil.
That means that the local HVAC hack that just changes the metering device in an evaporator coil when switching from 22 to 410 just srewed you over because all that R22 oil will stay there, forever reducing the capacity of the unit because the oil acts as an insulator on the bottom of the tubes.