My central AC is 20 years old. It still works, but, given the age, I'm
concerned that the need for a new system may not be that far into the
future. When it comes time install a new condenser, I probably would want
to install a new furnace too, since it is
also 20 years old.....good idea, right?

KEY QUESTION: I was told that when a new AC system is installed, they like
to install new refrigerant lines although the customer sometimes will opt to
not have that done. Is it really important to install new refrigerant
lines?

Reason I ask: my basement ceiling is finished with drywall. Replacing
existing lines would involve ripping up the ceiling. However, one option
that that would NOT involve ripping up ceiling drywall, would be install NEW
lines by running them out a straighter path in which the lines would only be
visible inside the house within a closet, except that, once outside the
lines are outside they would be running undereath the deck and then run
along the side of back of the townhouse for maybe 4 or 5 feet or so to get
to the condenser location. Since my townhouse is a condo, I don't know if
they would allow having the refrigerant lines be run from a different
location in which the lines would be more visible than before. (The
existing lines exit the house right behind where the condenser sits.)
Also, the association may be installing a new deck within 10 years, and if
new refrigerant lines were running underneath the deck then this could be
problematic when they replace the deck. Do you think my concerns about
running new lines from a different location aren't valid?

Thanks,

J.

On Fri, 27 Apr 2007 20:25:50 GMT, "Jay-n-123" wrote:

My central AC is 20 years old. It still works, but, given the age, I'm
concerned that the need for a new system may not be that far into the
future. When it comes time install a new condenser, I probably would want
to install a new furnace too, since it is
also 20 years old.....good idea, right?

Almost always a good idea, yes.

KEY QUESTION: I was told that when a new AC system is installed, they like
to install new refrigerant lines although the customer sometimes will opt to
not have that done. Is it really important to install new refrigerant
lines?

Largely depends on the condition of the old lines -and- the specs/
fittings required for the new lines. Some contractors may require
new lines for their standard warranty.

Reason I ask: my basement ceiling is finished with drywall. Replacing
existing lines would involve ripping up the ceiling.

Are you sure?

Say you needed to replace a Romex (elec.) cable running thru the wall.
Often the new cable can be attached to the old, allowing one to pull
the new into place when removing the old.

Something like that -may- be practical for the refrigerant lines?
Obviously this is the kind of thing you could ask about when getting
an HVAC estimate, unless you can already see why it wouldn't work.

However, one option
that that would NOT involve ripping up ceiling drywall, would be install NEW
lines by running them out a straighter path in which the lines would only be
visible inside the house within a closet, except that, once outside the
lines are outside they would be running undereath the deck and then run
along the side of back of the townhouse for maybe 4 or 5 feet or so to get
to the condenser location.

Hard to follow that ...

Since my townhouse is a condo, I don't know if
they would allow having the refrigerant lines be run from a different
location in which the lines would be more visible than before.

Ask 'em.

(The
existing lines exit the house right behind where the condenser sits.)
Also, the association may be installing a new deck within 10 years, and if
new refrigerant lines were running underneath the deck then this could be
problematic when they replace the deck. Do you think my concerns about
running new lines from a different location aren't valid?

Can't tell from here.

Good Luck,
Puddin'

"Mit der Dummheit kaempfen Goetter selbst vergebens!"
-Friedrich Schiller

Jay-n-123 writes:

I was told that when a new AC system is installed, they like
to install new refrigerant lines although the customer sometimes will
opt to not have that done. Is it really important to install new
refrigerant lines?

They "like" to, eh?

Sometimes you need them, but usually you're just padding the bill, like
pinstriping on the new car.

On Fri, 27 Apr 2007 22:36:47 -0500, Richard J Kinch
wrote:

Jay-n-123 writes:

I was told that when a new AC system is installed, they like
to install new refrigerant lines although the customer sometimes will
opt to not have that done. Is it really important to install new
refrigerant lines?

They "like" to, eh?

Sometimes you need them, but usually you're just padding the bill, like
pinstriping on the new car.


Keep the old ons, check for leaks and have them blown out good.

On Fri, 27 Apr 2007 20:25:50 GMT, "Jay-n-123"
wrote:

My central AC is 20 years old. It still works, but, given the age, I'm
concerned that the need for a new system may not be that far into the
future. When it comes time install a new condenser, I probably would want
to install a new furnace too, since it is
also 20 years old.....good idea, right?

KEY QUESTION: I was told that when a new AC system is installed, they like
to install new refrigerant lines although the customer sometimes will opt to
not have that done. Is it really important to install new refrigerant
lines?

Reason I ask: my basement ceiling is finished with drywall. Replacing
existing lines would involve ripping up the ceiling. However, one option
that that would NOT involve ripping up ceiling drywall, would be install NEW
lines by running them out a straighter path in which the lines would only be
visible inside the house within a closet, except that, once outside the
lines are outside they would be running undereath the deck and then run
along the side of back of the townhouse for maybe 4 or 5 feet or so to get
to the condenser location. Since my townhouse is a condo, I don't know if
they would allow having the refrigerant lines be run from a different
location in which the lines would be more visible than before. (The
existing lines exit the house right behind where the condenser sits.)
Also, the association may be installing a new deck within 10 years, and if
new refrigerant lines were running underneath the deck then this could be
problematic when they replace the deck. Do you think my concerns about
running new lines from a different location aren't valid?

The new large lines are all 7/8 " minimum. Your old one is 3/4".
If you use the old line, it may work ok, but it voids the warranty.

When possible, installers like to replace the refrigerant lines.
As the old ones may be leaking, or about to leak. They may be
kinked or flattened in places.

The lubricating oils in the old R22 systems aren't compatible
with the new R410A systems.

So, reusing the line set is OK if you're willing to take the
chance of it not working very well. And if you use the same
refrigerant.

Best bet is to discuss it with the installers.

--

Christopher A. Young
You can't shout down a troll.
You have to starve them.
..

"Jay-n-123" wrote in message
news:i%sYh.5731$Cx1.2846@trnddc01...
: My central AC is 20 years old. It still works, but, given the
age, I'm
: concerned that the need for a new system may not be that far
into the
: future. When it comes time install a new condenser, I probably
would want
: to install a new furnace too, since it is
: also 20 years old.....good idea, right?
:
: KEY QUESTION: I was told that when a new AC system is
installed, they like
: to install new refrigerant lines although the customer
sometimes will opt to
: not have that done. Is it really important to install new
refrigerant
: lines?
:
: Reason I ask: my basement ceiling is finished with drywall.
Replacing
: existing lines would involve ripping up the ceiling. However,
one option
: that that would NOT involve ripping up ceiling drywall, would
be install NEW
: lines by running them out a straighter path in which the lines
would only be
: visible inside the house within a closet, except that, once
outside the
: lines are outside they would be running undereath the deck and
then run
: along the side of back of the townhouse for maybe 4 or 5 feet
or so to get
: to the condenser location. Since my townhouse is a condo, I
don't know if
: they would allow having the refrigerant lines be run from a
different
: location in which the lines would be more visible than before.
(The
: existing lines exit the house right behind where the condenser
sits.)
: Also, the association may be installing a new deck within 10
years, and if
: new refrigerant lines were running underneath the deck then
this could be
: problematic when they replace the deck. Do you think my
concerns about
: running new lines from a different location aren't valid?
:
: Thanks,
:
: J.
:
:
: