Advice for replacing ac system

[ECFENCING]

Hey guys/gals...

Need some advice regarding my central ac system.

Last week my evaporator coil started leaking...and needs to be replaced. It's an old York 3.5 ton coil probably close to 29 years old. That part is easy it needs to be replaced.

The question I have is would you

(1) Replace just the coil-cost $1,200-$1,600 depending on make and model installed or

(2) Replace the coil and the condensing unit on the outside...cost about $4,000. The unit on the outside is approximately 9 years old but still working.

Issue is I am most likely going to be moving in three years max and don't know if I will recoup the dollar's spent on the system...or adds anything to resale value

If it were you would you only replace the coil or do both?

Further complicating the decision is the new refrigerant versus the old freon or R22. I can't get a straight answer from any HVAC guy I've talked to about the job. The claim is the older type refrigerant performs better so I've received some quotes with the old freon compressors..as well as systems that will utilize the new refrigerant.

Thanks in advance....

 

[TimberTDI]

Issue is I am most likely going to be moving in three years max and don't know if I will recoup the dollar's spent on the system...or adds anything to resale value

I would replace only the coil if you are sure that you will be leaving in three years. Even if you have to spend another $1500 in the next three years you will still come out ahead.

Steven

 

[JARRETT SHARK]

i would look for a cheaper guy, there are so many on craigslist who do side work
If you were to go all new it looks better when you sell the home

 

[dubs]

i would def try to go new if u can find someone to do the job for cheaper the new unit are alot quieter and save way more energy ..the trane units are nice

 

[pecan2phat]

Does your state have any energy rebates for replacing equipment with high eer? CT does and it would have been a no brainer to replace the whole unit in my situation.

 

[ECFENCING]

Thanks Guys....I priced it out 4 different ways and the cheapest guy was $1,200 coil only to $4,000 for everything and that was the old stuff...but a 4 ton unit for the complete system if I ever needed that much capacity to $3,800 to $4,300 for a new 3 ton unit new refrigerant from three other vendors....all licensed of course to $1,600 to $1,800 for a new A coil that could accept the new refrigerant so that someone that might want to replace the compressor three years down the road wouldn't have to also replace the coil as well. However they would need to have the lines flushed and cleaned of course.


Three were Lennox dealers since that's what I currently have and I didn't want to mix and match and one installed Fraser Johnston stuff.

Anyway I decided to go with the outfit that did our heating system install 6 years ago and install the coil only.

Price was $1,700 so they were inline.

Thanks for the input once again....

Warren: I looked into the rebates and it turns out it would take at least 6 years to recoup the $'s on energy saved with the higher efficiency 16 SEER units even with the rebate coming back