Replacing my r22 spacepak system

My AC compressor just gave up the ghost. Its a trane xl14i r22 3ton unit with a spacepak air handler in the attic. My house is 2800sq ft.

I had the first contractor come out to give me a quote today. He didn’t seem to acknowledge that it was a high velocity system and said he would put together numbers for a replacement Trane and Heil systems (the two he deals with).

Obviously I am NOT replacing all the of the ducts throughout the house or the supply and return trunk in the attic. Given reusing these components are traditional HVAC coils and air handlers acceptable to use with system? Or should I be pushing a contractor to replace the spacepak with a new spacepak married to an appropriately spec’d condensing unit outside?

Also, given the difficulty of running new linesets he said they would reuse my r22 ones. What should I make sure they do/is in the contract to ensure not contaminating a new system with r22?

My AC compressor just gave up the ghost.

Compressors don’t die there murdered. Maybe find out why before jumping the gun!

Yes, you need a specialized high velocity air handler to use with your duct system. A conventional Trane or Heil air handler won’t work. Either another Spacepak, or a different brand (Unico is Spacepak’s main competitor). Be warned, these high velocity units aren’t cheap. But you do at least get something for your money – the Unico ones I’ve worked with seem to be built to a significantly higher quality standard than the mass produced conventional air handlers.

Sounds like you need to clarify what the first contractor is including. He may not have even been planning to replace the air handler, if your current one happens to be R410A capable.

Reusing the lineset when switching refrigerant is fine (assuming of course that it’s properly sized and in good condition). Nothing super special in terms of procedures is required. They just need to blow the lines out with nitrogen and otherwise follow correct installation procedures, including pulling a proper vacuum.

Originally Posted by pecmsg

My AC compressor just gave up the ghost.

Compressors don’t die there murdered. Maybe find out why before jumping the gun!

It died because it was 17 years old and I ran the piss out of it.

Originally Posted by rypkr

It died because it was 17 years old and I ran the piss out of it.

If you believe that fine!

Originally Posted by pecmsg

My AC compressor just gave up the ghost.

Compressors don’t die there murdered. Maybe find out why before jumping the gun!

Originally Posted by pecmsg

If you believe that fine!

I can give more details on the demise of it if you like? Am I missing something here though?

I already said, compresses don’t die they’re murdered. If you don’t want to figure out what happened fine. Replace it.

Originally Posted by pecmsg

My AC compressor just gave up the ghost.

Compressors don’t die there murdered. Maybe find out why before jumping the gun!

Originally Posted by pecmsg

If you believe that fine!

Originally Posted by pecmsg

I already said, compresses don’t die they’re murdered. If you don’t want to figure out what happened fine. Replace it.

The system was put in 2005. I’ve owned the house since 2014. It ran well for my first 5 or 6 years here. Performance seemed to degrade over the last couple years indicative of a small leak.

This year cooling was greatly diminished and the compreasor was short cycling. A lot. I let it to continue to run to get the cooling out of it I could (a big factor in its demise I’m sure). I chose to have a tech add r22 to see how long it would hold. I already knew with the age of my system and it being an antiquated r22 that I wasnt ready to invest much money in it. So for $250 it was hardly a gamble that maybe got me through the summer.

2 months with ice cold cooling but the compressor began getting noisier and noisery. Two days ago it started sounding really bad and I said to myself… thats about to seize. 5 minutes later it did. So yes, I murdered it with the limping it along.

Now im moving on with replacing my system like in my original post. Not really interested in troubleshooting the compressor I know what went wrong.

Also the leak appears to be at the coil due to oil. Obviously if a contractor wants to reuse my lineset it will need pressure tested im aware of that much.

This thread is really about trying to make sure my estimates I get are using appropriate equipment for the high velocity ductwork I have.

The unit in our office is losing the comp. 18 years of heavy use! 79 in the dispatch office.

Today’s Space Pak and Unico require more supply air outlets than what you have. If they don’t do it right, it will haunt you. I think we added 5 to a system last summer to get it to where Unico wanted. Works great. These air handler makers don’t make outdoor units so you do need a Trane or Heil (or any of them).

Originally Posted by BaldLoonie

The unit in our office is losing the comp. 18 years of heavy use! 79 in the dispatch office.

Today’s Space Pak and Unico require more supply air outlets than what you have. If they don’t do it right, it will haunt you. I think we added 5 to a system last summer to get it to where Unico wanted. Works great. These air handler makers don’t make outdoor units so you do need a Trane or Heil (or any of them).

Hi BaldLoonie thanks so much for the reply. Your first paragraph, I’m not sure I follow what you’re saying? You’re losing your compressor after 18 years? What does 79 in the dispatch office mean?

So newer spacepak models require more ducts to be ran? I already have dozens and dozens throughout my house. What is the best way of determining if you have enough and how many more you may need? I believe you when you say it could haunt me but what issues specifically would arise from not having enough supply outlets?

Thanks again for the reply.