Air Conditioning - Is it time to replace and with what?

We live in FL, have a 14 yr old Bryant Heat Pump. Have it serviced 2x/yr. This time tech said accumulator is rusty and had to add 1 lb freon. He said to replace Accumulator is $250 and suggested time for a new air con.

True or False???

Our Bryant is 4 ton. He gave estimate on 3 1/2 ton (don't know why), think an error. Prices have sure gone up. Amana, no model #; are they a cheap or mid line product?

Called another Company. They gave estimates on 4 ton Bryant #604B, Ruud (no #), and Trane wcx. Both Bryant and Ruud have the scrolling feature, Trane does not. Trane very pricey compared to others.

All are 13 Seer.

We are away from June-Oct and leave air con on 84 .....

I have been unable to locate a website that gives reviews/ratings on these units.

Advice appreciated

I usually don't comment too much on brand names. As everyone has their own opinion. It's like asking if Ford is better than Chevy. Everyone will give you a different answer. But I can say Trane is usually higher priced as compared to Amana. Even this statement could potentially start an argument.

It is possible you only need a 3.5 ton instead of a 4. Did the company do any calculations? You should probably ask how they arrived at that number. Guessing is not a good idea.

Accumulators do rust and sometimes leak. $250 is not unreasonable for its replacement. Did they do a leak check of the system? If not, the leak(s) could be anywhere. It's not unusual to have more than one leak.

You may want to get another opinion if you are not comfortable with your current tech.

Thanks for prompt reply.

One company just assumed the original was 4 ton because on SW side of house (60+'), thus what was needed.

Other tech did no calculations, just said 3.5..........

The company who does NOT have Amana says they are considered "low end"...............that Ruud is better than Amana , from which I determined Ruud is a "higher/low end" <g>:)

I don't know if they did a leak check, it doesn't appear on the worksheet. He just pointed out that probably the Accumulator was leaking due to rust....

Units are rarely changed in our area for a 1# leak. Especially if the leak is not definitely located and just suspected.

Any problem with letting it go to see how bad the leak actually is? Your next service should help determine how large the leak is.

well, next service isn't due for 6 months, they just did it, that was when they discovered the freon loss= 1 lb. Tech was here in FEB. due to heat problem, turned out just too cold for our unit. At that time, they said the Freon was Fine! So in under 3 months we have used 1#.......

BUT , they are saying install new accumulator @$250

then question is, at age 14, what else may start to quit.....

would love to get away with waiting til Nov., but when we're not here in the summer, it could be risky. Don't need to come home to a moldy house

14 is getting toward the end of its life. Get several bids if you are leaning on a replacement and if they wont do a heat load/lloss calc then send'm packing.

Just because the accumulator has rust on it don't mean a thing. Spray it down good with a solution of dish liquid and water and see if there are bubbles anywhere.