Air Conditioning - need help

im trying to replace my outside unit, but i dont know what type of unit i need to buy, im confused! i had a 3ton central heat/air genitrol installed about 5 yrs ago. its no good anymore. im trying to buy a goodman 3 ton, but im confused whith what type to get? the unit i have now provided heat and air, did not have a heat pump, but had a swich for heat and air on the thermostat....do i just buy a regular air condensor? or do i need to buy something else?

The unit's name is likely Janitrol, a sister unit to the Goodman.

Please get from the outside unit's nameplate the M/N (Model Number)
There is a lot of information in M/N's...it'll tell us if this is a cooling-only condensing unit or if we're dealing with a heat pump

Most companies will provide a free quotation, why don't you go ahead and get three quotes for unit replacement? Then you can make a informed decision as to whether or not you even want to fool with replacing it yourself. if you do still want to DIY, you will have a good resource for knowing what to buy. If this is a self contained (Package unit) the cost is usually pretty minimal for installation especially on a five year old unit of the same size and model. The electrical/duct/flashing and everything will probably hook right back up with little change. Of course you could really have a oddball Genitrol unit but like the other post said what you probably have is a Janitrol Unit and that is the same as a Goodman Unit.

I would be wondering why a 5 year old unit went bad.

Unless you are changing the entire system.

Isn't there a 6 year warranty on Goodman/Janitrol?

By gosh ole CovTiger brings up a very valid point. Some of the Goodmans (Janitrol) carry a 10 year warranty factory warranty on some parts, so well worth a check to see exactly what you have before purchasing a replacement. Occasionally I will see a unit where someone has purchased a property and needs service on a unit where they do not have all the background info. I always try to check to see if there was a extended warranty purchased if possible. Easy if there is a installing company sticker etc. I have knocked myself out of work a couple of times when it turns out that the original purchaser did in fact have a extended complete LABOR and Parts warranty. A man has to do right or he cannot even look himself in the mirror in the morning while shaving much less meet his maker later on LOL. Check that warranty man it may be good as Gold. Note: he has probably already checked that out but you should have seen the happy faces of the young parents that had just bought a foreclosure property only to find that the compressor was bad on their Carrier Heat pump. After a couple of phone calls I informed them that the original owner had in fact bought the ten year Labor and Parts warranty on their heat pump and that the original installer would indeed honor it. They wrote me a 95 dollar service call check so fast that it made my head spin LOL. Good Luck jags13

As said, why did the 6 y/o unit went.. Was it a DIY install as well??

You are by far better to get a pro to put in a new system.. Goodman WILL NOT honor warranity if you buy the unit on line.

thank you all that have responded...the model of the jenitrol that i have is #ckj36-1ab. the reason im replacing it is because my large dog destroyed the coils around unit. i am having a professional instal it, but im buying it at a warehouse and need to know if i just need a regular outdoor ac unit, or one with a heat pump. the one i had provided air and hear, but i was told that i just needed to buy a regular unit. can yall help me out and let me know please....

The number that you posted, is that the new or old unit's model#

Is the air handler inside or furnace has a coil that is for heat pump? If no, then you can only get a regular A/C.. If the coil is for heat pump, then you can add a heat pump.

As getting the unit yourself, you still are NOT getting any warranty. And have you found a dealer who will put it in since you are not buying it from them?? (Be like going out to eat, and bring your own steak, and ask the cook there to cook it for you.)

Is this new unit R-22 or R-410? What was the old one?

its the old model #..what is an air handler? the unit outside is the one that needs to be replaced. the unit inside is in the attic and it has a coil, is that what you are refering too?

Yes, the air handler is the unit in the attic that has the fan and coil, and maybe electric heat strip for back up.

if you have gas for heat, then you have a furnace.

ok, it has a coil, but does not have a fan...the unit outside has a fan. and i dont have gas for heat.

ok, it has a coil, but does not have a fan..
Ok, what was used to move the air before????

the unit outside has a fan. and i dont have gas for heat.
What are you using for heat or has been using for heat?

the unit outside, the one i need to replace, is the one that has the fan. im not sure how it all works as far as the heat is concerned. the inside unit has a coil, but no fan. in the thermostat it has a switch for heat , off, and cool and another for fan on/automatic.....my whole question is, if im replacing the outside unit do i need to buy one that says heat pump or do i just get a regular one? in order to provide the same thing i had, which was heat and air

the unit outside, the one i need to replace, is the one that has the fan.
Is this a stand alone unit with copper line going into the house or ductwork?

the inside unit has a coil, but no fan. in the thermostat it has a switch for heat , off, and cool and another for fan on/automatic.....
If you got a coil inside, something gotta MOVE the air, so it has to have a fan.

Get us the model # of the unit inside, and we can see what you got.

my whole question is, if im replacing the outside unit do i need to buy one that says heat pump or do i just get a regular one? in order to provide the same thing i had, which was heat and air
When you used to turn on for heat, did the outdoor unit run??

If it ran in the winter for heat, then you have a heat pump.

But will wait till you post back with the model # of the unit inside.

i am having a professional instal it

Ask your professional installer for his/her opinion as to which equipment you should buy.

Jags, This is a large, complicated procedure that involves many specialized skills. It's all too much to pull off through post card correspondence. :gmorning: Ask around and find a pro to save you the headache. By the way, what were you going to do with the freon that was/is in the old unit?:rolleyes: Let us know if you did do it yourself. g'luck

Like said you need to get the pro that's going to agree to install it for you to tell you what you need. If you have an outdoor unit then you also have an indoor unit with a blower.