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Can I Upgrade My Compressor From R22 to R410A Refrigerant? - Ask the Expert Episode 167

Sometimes an upgrade to your AC unit is in order, but what if you just need to upgrade the compressor from R22 to R410A refrigerant? Video Script: Today's question comes from Brian. "Hey Dan, I would like to upgrade my AC unit from R22 to R410A refrigerant. Can I just replace my Copeland compressor that will handle R410A? I was going to dump the oil out and upgrade that as well. Is there a compressor conversion for doing this?" So, Brian has a Copeland CR28K6-PFV-230 compressor in the outdoor unit. So, can he just change the compressor? No. You can't do that. It probably wouldn't work. Even though you put a compressor in there that's R410A, the rest of condenser probably isn't tested and rated for operating at R410A pressures because R410A has to operate at a higher pressure. So, the coil is probably not tested for that and it would probably fail. I think you would need a different metering device too. If you're going to convert from R22 to R410A refrigerant, the best thing to do would be to flush the lines you have, and put in units, an air handler and condenser that is meant to use R410A. R410A and R-22 are just so different that doing stuff like you want to do won't really work. You would probably break a lot of expensive equipment. Have more questions about converting R22 to R410A refrigerant? Just ask them in the comments below or on Facebook or on Twitter.

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Wai Moe A/C

How do the change r410 condensed coil to r22 condensed coil

Marsha Kazarosian

I just watched this episode and was very impressed! - I need to replace my old compressor to a new R410A unit. My older air handler is rated for both R22 and R410A but I have been using R22, can I still just replace my compressor with a new R410A unit and keep my older air handler, since it is R410A rated?

Marrez

Hi i want change condenser 5 ton with R410a refrigerant to r22 coil . Can i vacuum all r410a and add r422b ?

edward

I have an R-22 system that has a 3-1/2 Ton rated evaporator coil in the furnace. I wish to save expense of changing out the evap. coil. Do they make a new condensing unit for use with NU-22/MO 99? I need 3 to 3-1/2 Ton capacity.

Larry

I recently took a 410 a ,air conditioner and changed the compressor back to R22 no problems. Have you heard of any one doing this before.

Mark Harold Colquhoun

I have a Marine A/C unit that needs 417 refrigerant . Where can I get it or is there another refrigerant that I can ad that is compatible with 417..? Thanks

Dan MacPhail

I am getting a new air handler and compressor to replace my old R-22 freon-based units. Can I have the installer just flush out the existing lines before replacing with R-410A refrigerant, or do I have to replace all the plumbing. The coil was frozen, and the system was working fine until about one to two weeks ago, so any leak would have had to come from the coil. Am I right about that, because the plumbing is in the walls? I do not want to knock down walls to look for a leak that is probably not there.

JONES

DO I NEED TO CHANGE OUT A TXV VALVE ,IF I CHANGE THE OUTSIDE CONDENSER FROM R-22 TO 410A AND IF SO WHY.

Jean-Marc

Hi I want to replace a split air conditioning system from R22 to a new system using R4410. My question: do I have to change the refrigerant lines or the refrigerant lines can be cleaned/rinsed to use new refrigerant? BTW line connecting to the outside unit is 1/2" so diameter compatible with new units so I could upgrade from 1 ton to 1 1/2 unit to get better cooling... Some installers mention that lines can be flushed/cleaned while others mention that refrigerant lines have to be replaced...

brian sogi

im trying to change a compressor from a r410a system, right mow i have a r22 compressor so can i dump out the oil from the r22 compressor and use the selected oil and fit in the condensing unit, the current amps for the r410a compressor is running at 13.5amps and for the r22 compressor is running at 6.5amps, can it work?

Darrell

Thanks for the fast response Dan. It will be nice when you develop a kit for a DIYer to replace their own outside condensor. Gets involved with the sweating of pipes, pump down, changing orifices etc. I do have another question though. When I do replace my outside units can I replace with heatpumps or does that require additional internal equipment?

Darrell

We have a 4 ton and a 3 ton unit running on R22 Over the past couple of years both of the coils in the attic were changed due to leaking the refrigerant out . The technicians put in coils that were rated for R22 or R410, Under this circumstance can we have the outside units replaced with R410 without having to change anything in the house? I was considering buying a couple direct from Ingrams and then pay someone to swap them out

Richard

In a split heat pump system what is the difference in operating pressure between an R22 system and an R410 system? Asking as home warranty company tech wants to replace R22 complete condenser unit (locked compressor) with a R410 unit. I’ve heard R410 runs at much higher pressure than R22. Maybe to higher for R22 rated evaporator. Thanks

tereasa miller

due to the fact that r22 is being removed from market in 2020 what will we be able to replace it with and will it require any changes to our ac? thanks for your help. from my freaking out husband in oklahoma

Chris

I have a failed R22 Lennox 5 ton central air with a gas furnace and air handler horizontal orientation in attic, The coil housing is 21" x 21", I was planning of changing the condenser unit, refrigerant lines, and evaporator coil I believe the air handler and furnace are in good condition, I'm having difficulty finding an evaporator coil that will fit in the existing 21" x 21" housing, Do you have any suggestions?

Delores Skelton

My system is over 30 yrs old. The fan is working but the freon will not flow to the compressor. Does the whole air unit upstairs and outside have to be replaced?

Sam Sam

SamSam Hi, I have 3.5 tons, Ruud ac, it was working with r22, then the compressor went out, I want to purchase 3.5 tons, Goodman condenser, with 410 refrigerant, and install it instead of Ruud condenser without changing the inside unit(the coil). somebody advise me to replace whole the system and install a new one because it very old, do think it will work?

Archie Gladney

Can I use a 410 compressor in a r-22 unit since I cant find one. If it can handle and circulate 410 it should be able to handle r22.

Asonye Bright

I nough a marshal product AC 60hz R22 refrigerant,can i waste the r22 gas and replace it with r410a.

John Houston

I have two 5 ton Rheem package units RENA-C060JK10E that were installed in 2008 to service my house. The furnace works fine on both but the evaporators are shows heavy rust staining from the condensation line and they are not cooling efficiently. I was thinking about replacing the evaporators with new ones. Do you recommend replacing other parts or should i just breakdown and buy new units. If i were to replace parts I s there a type of refrigerant that is compatible without costing a fortune?

Travis B

I have a question. So few months ago 3 to 4months our ac been out.. The consider shot crap. Our evaporator is r22/r410a compatible. Can i just swap the condiser to 410a and flush the line set and evaporator.. or do i have to replace it all..

Harvey Mushman

Good Q&A... Thank you for making it. I have a customer with several Carrier m/n: 38YH-048-310 split unit heat pumps that were installed in the late 1980'a. All are in perfect working order but the customer would like to replace them with newer style horizontal fan outdoor units without changing the inside air handlers. Lots of reasons not to change the indoor units that stem around cost of re-ducting and mounting the cabinets that are suspended from the ceiling in very hard to reach locations. Any ideas if it is possible to upgrade the outdoor units without changing the indoor units? The systems are currently operating on R-22.

Joseph Gordon

I bought a House with two R22 compressor units three years ago. Today I bought two new R410a compressor units with R410a evaporator coils. I am going to hire a contractor to hook and braze them up followed by putting refrigerant in them. Will this work? And what to expect.

Rob

Can I buy a YORK new compressor 410 and still use the coils in the home for r22

tereasa miller

what caveats would I face if changing from r22 to one of the other freons? which one would you recommend we us? are one of these you recommended made by dupont thanks again tereasa