Air Conditioning - Does new central a/c need a new furnace?

My 10-year old central A/C system has a freon leak that the repair main says is coming from the condenser. He is quoting me $1,400 to repair the unit.

He says that I will need a new furnace if the SEER on my new unit is greater than 13, and recommends a new furnace anyway, because the blower/blower motor may be insufficient on my current unit.

My questions:

1. Is it true that I need a new furnace? Or can I replace it with an SEER unit of greater than 12 (13, or even 15) with the current furnace?

2. If I need to replace both, I'm tempted to simply repair the current unit ($1,400 vs. $6,500 for both) --- is this reasonable.

3. Can I change the blower on my current furnace so that it doesn't need to be replaced?

Thanks!
Terri

Terri,

To go from a simple leak to a $6500.00 repair would most certainly warrant other opinions.
In many many cases leaks, even ones that are on the condenser are repairable but in some cases they are not.
It sounds to me like he is putting on a hard sell though.
If he is bumping up a $1400.00 repair to $6500.00 with the statement "I will need a new furnace if the SEER on my new unit is greater than 13", why doesn't he sell you a less than 13 seer unit to be able to keep your existing furnace.
If he sells you a comparable unit you will not have to touch your blower.

I would suggest you run not walk to the phone and call others in to look at your problem. Someone may come up with a more economical solution and be prepared for a temper tantrum if your current tech does not make an immediate sale.

Thanks, Greg.

One more question --- does freon ever simply need to be replaced (in other words, without a leak)? We've not touched the freon for 10 years, so is it possible that all that was needed was a recharge, and everything will be fine?

Thanks,
Terri

How old is your current furnace??

I'd get a 2nd opinion on the service call..

current furnace is 10-years old. Thanks.

Unless broken down with mosture and high temps, which rarely happens, refrigerants will last forever.
I can't quote on the specifics of your area, but here and I believe where you are, the technician is under a legal obligation to repair the leak and not knowingly install refrigerant in a system with a known leak.

Don't be afraid to call others for an opinion.
You will likely have to pay for a service call for someone to properly check your system but it would be money well spent.

One other thing.
You have to keep in mind that if you are still in a busy airconditioning season, being patient with companies who are busy might pay off.

Terri.S

Like Greg said, send that tech packing. Find a reputable dealer and get a 2nd opinion. This sounds more like a scam that hurts the HVAC industry.

While it's not clear you have a leak, where its located, and the kind of repair needed, it would not be wise to spend a great deal of $$$ on a 10 yr old system but it's also not clear that you have a big problem other than perhaps a dishonest tech.

If it is determined that your AC condensor should be replaced, you should also purchase a matching evap coil along with new lineset. Unless it is determined and demonstated that something is mechanically wrong with your existing furnace, the suggestion to replace it is just bunk!

Good LucK!

Im with them all here .Call some one else in to look at it . Shop around and get 3 bids for the job.


ED ;)

Thanks, everyone...I'm going to call someone else right after the weekend.

Terri