On 5/30/2011 9:53 PM, WandererFan wrote:
Had a tech out to look over my 20 yr old central a/c today. He said
the fluid level was "border line", but that he was not allowed to top
up the system as it used the old type of fluid (R22?). He said if
the system couldn't keep up with the load it would have to be
replaced.

Since we are probably leaving this house in the next year or so, I'm
not enthusiastic about a new a/c plant. A new, more efficient setup
would not pay us back in time.

A bit of googling seems to indicate that R22 is still going to be
around until 2015 or 2020 and that its use in existing equipment is
still ok.

Was the tech correct, or just trying to earn a commission?

Wouldn't a home inspection by a new home purchaser reveal the problem
with the unit? I am very adamant about not selling a home with a ticking
time bomb. Then again, with full disclosure of the problem to the buyer,
caveat emptor.

All I'm saying is that if you don't replace it now, a savvy purchaser
would require you to replace it at sales time. Maybe that's a better
time for you, but then you don't get to enjoy the comfort of the new
unit for the next year.