[Babufrick]

YouTube has many videos about the change. Refrigerant changes are never good price wise. Look at the YF car example. Paid 55 dollars for a small can. Around 10x the old cost per can

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by GreggC69

Hearing changes coming out next year that will cause a significant cost increase to replace a/c system in homes. New to Florida and curious - what is anticipated "normal" life expectancy of A/C system in Villages homes?

Thanks for the heads up. This is important information for anyone whose system is nearing the end of its useful life. I called our HVAC company and was told to expect a minimum 25% price increase starting in 2025. This information most definitely has changed my mind about trying to squeeze another couple years out of our 17+ year old HVAC system. I’m getting quotes next week on a new system to be installed by the end of 2024, before the new requirements take effect. Got a new roof earlier this year, getting a new hot water heater next week, and now a new HVAC system. Hopefully that will help us get a better rate on a new homeowners policy with Farmers pulling out of the state and dropping us.

[biker1]

Sounds like a good plan otherwise your 17 year old HVAC is probably planning on dropping dead on July 4, 2025, a Friday and the start of a 3 day weekend.

Originally Posted by tophcfa

Thanks for the heads up. This is important information for anyone whose system is nearing the end of its useful life. I called our HVAC company and was told to expect a minimum 25% price increase starting in 2025. This information most definitely has changed my mind about trying to squeeze another couple years out of our 17+ year old HVAC system. I’m getting quotes next week on a new system to be installed by the end of 2024, before the new requirements take effect. Got a new roof earlier this year, getting a new hot water heater next week, and now a new HVAC system. Hopefully that will help us get a better rate on a new homeowners policy with Farmers pulling out of the state and dropping us.

[sschuler1]

Originally Posted by GreggC69

Hearing changes coming out next year that will cause a significant cost increase to replace a/c system in homes. New to Florida and curious - what is anticipated "normal" life expectancy of A/C system in Villages homes?

Just had to replace ours, and our home will be 15 years old next month. We have just over 2000 square feet, and it was under $9000.

[GreggC69]

Apologies if OP unclear. The technician was servicing our mini split but was speaking about the main HVAC system, not the mini system he was here for. Sunshine Air.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

Thanks for the heads up. This is important information for anyone whose system is nearing the end of its useful life. I called our HVAC company and was told to expect a minimum 25% price increase starting in 2025. This information most definitely has changed my mind about trying to squeeze another couple years out of our 17+ year old HVAC system. I’m getting quotes next week on a new system to be installed by the end of 2024, before the new requirements take effect. Got a new roof earlier this year, getting a new hot water heater next week, and now a new HVAC system. Hopefully that will help us get a better rate on a new homeowners policy with Farmers pulling out of the state and dropping us.

Call me skeptical, but I find it difficult to believe that HVAC companies will be charging a minimum of 25 percent more for a new system in 2025. It sounds like they are trying to unload their in-stock old systems while they can. After January 1, 2025, these systems will be worthless.

[laryb]

Our Carrier system was 12.5 yrs. old when we replaced it. Tech told us that the line set under the house was leaking, and the the cost would be $1500-$2000 to replace. At that point I decided to replace it, thinking that its lifespan was limited. We bought a whole house Mitsubishi inverter system. We're using around 10% less electric with it, and another plus is it uses 1"X20"x20" filters. Also, it comes with a 12 yr. warranty. We got from M+S Air

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Call me skeptical, but I find it difficult to believe that HVAC companies will be charging a minimum of 25 percent more for a new system in 2025. It sounds like they are trying to unload their in-stock old systems while they can. After January 1, 2025, these systems will be worthless.

I am skeptical by nature as well and thought of the same thing. That being said, I have been using our HVAC company (Chuck Ferrell) for 9 years and find them to be a reputable and trustworthy company. They don’t inventory the systems, they order them as needed with a short delivery lead time. But regarding your point, I’m sure their suppliers are itching to get rid of their inventory by year end. As of now, I’m looking at a late November install for a non-emergency.

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by biker1

Sounds like a good plan otherwise your 17 year old HVAC is probably planning on dropping dead on July 4, 2025, a Friday and the start of a 3 day weekend.

You’re right, it always seems to work that way. And to make matters worse, we will be about 1,350 miles away from our home when the app on my phone alerts me the temperature and humidity has skyrocketed.

[JimLtravels]

22 years and still going strong!

[Brasshog]

Which is exactly what happened to us this year. Ugh.

[RICH1]

15-20 years , with 15.00 Capacitor replacements every 4-5 years..

[ithos]

The number one issue to be concerned about is the failure of the compressor. R410A is being phased out and becoming much more expensive. Consequently the production of R410A equipment will also become more expensive and eventually extinct.

If your compressor fails and you are forced to use a compressor designed for a different refrigerant then you may have to replace the inside unit too. At a minimum you will have to replace the TXV. Also you will have to flush the line sets. Hopefully they can be reused because if not you are looking at a much more expensive project.

As far as I know, only 410A equipment is available now.

I have looked for a drop in replacement refrigerant and the only one that may be an option for existing equipment is this:

R-454B is a close match to R-410A in terms of operating pressures and efficiency. Some manufacturers are starting to design systems compatible with both R-410A and R-454B.
Switching to R-454B could require adjustments or updates to ensure compatibility, but it's often considered one of the best alternatives that minimizes the need for major system overhauls.

For a true "drop-in" replacement that requires absolutely no changes to the system, there are currently no widely accepted options for R-410A. Even alternatives like R-32 (which has a higher pressure) and R-466A (which requires different handling) would still likely need some level of component adjustment or replacement to ensure they work effectively.

Some HVAC technicians are recommending to their customers with units 10 years and older to replace their condensers and AHU's now because of the phase out. Don't know if they plan on changing the refrigerant.

Has anyone been given a recommendation to replace an operational HVAC system? If so what refrigerant were they going to require?

I don't consider myself an expert on this topic so please feel free to disagree. Thanks.

[ithos]

Also consider that some new refrigerants may be "mildly flammable" so be sure to ask the contractor about that.

In order to extend the life of my compressor I installed a EasyStart Micro-Air 368 Advanced Soft Starter. It is available on Amazon. Be sure and read the reviews.

[midiwiz]

Originally Posted by GreggC69

Hearing changes coming out next year that will cause a significant cost increase to replace a/c system in homes. New to Florida and curious - what is anticipated "normal" life expectancy of A/C system in Villages homes?

it really depends on environment. If you don't keep that condenser unit clean, if your main unit isn't in a closet or inside, shorter than expected. Otherwise it lasts over 10 years since we are inland it helps. Also don't forget the "rinse" every filter change aka 4 weeks (can do 6 weeks) alternate bleach next one white vinegar, etc.