Picking new HVAC system. Help!

In My Humble Opinion
1

I discovered yesterday that my emergency electrical heating was operating, unknown to me (though it will no doubt be revealed on my energy bill). Turns out, I have a dead compressor in my circa 2004 heat pump. Replacing the out-of-warranty compressor costs about as much as a new heat pump, but I can’t buy a new heat pump without replacing my air handler because the air handler requires R22 refrigerant, which new heat pumps can no longer use under the Montreal Protocol.

So, short story shorter, unless I find a cheap way to replace my compressor, I’m looking to replace my entire HVAC system.

Questions:

(1) Where I live, we get about 100 days of below 40 degree weather a year, so I’ve gotten to wondering whether it even makes sense to have a heat pump with electrical backup. Thoughts on this? (I can have natural gas, but currently the house is all-electric.) Any links to cool calculators for this kind of thing?

(2) Do home buyers think all that much about HVAC quality when buying? Would I get disproportionate equity out of a SEER 18 system that recovers more than the difference in cost from a mid-range system?

(3) Other than rebates from my energy company, are there any tax credits or other programs available for this kind of thing in 2012?

I’ve got two contractors coming out tomorrow morning, so in addition to my questions I’d love to hear any general advice ya’ll have for me. Thanks!

2

You should be able to get a new compressor. New R22 has been outlawed, not R22. Although a R22 compressor may be more expensive.

I just looked in Graingers and they have R22 compressors.

3

Advice on contractors.

Get at least 3 bids.
In determining the size required besure contractors use heat load calculations and not any rules of thumb or by the square foot.

4

I know I can get a new R22 compressor. What I don’t think I can get is a new R22 heat pump. And since replacing the compressor will cost $1200, I figure it doesn’t make a lot of sense since a new heat pump will be around $3000.

5

In your OP you stated that you can not get a heat pump because the air handler requires R22. That sounds like you are planning on only changing the compressor or condensing unit.

If you want to go with only a new cooling system you should be able to do it. Change out the cooling coil (evaporator) at the same time that you are changing out the condencing unit.

Discuss the best way to do this for the buck with your contractors.