Matching new inside coil with existing outside unit

[Gifty74]

I've recently learned that my inside evaporator coil on my 3T Carrier has a leak. A friend of mine has a 3 1/4 T Trane inside unit that's barely used. It is a complete unit for a heatpump with the evaporator coil and back up heating coils for the heat pump. My question is can I use the heat pump inside unit with my existing 3T outdoor cooling only unit. Is this even advisable? The reason I am asking is because I can get a good price on the unit from my friend. Today I had quoted to replace just the evaporator coil on the inside unit and was quoted a price of close to $$$$$ Any additional advice?

[SandShark]

Rules do not allow pricing. Is the leak in the evaporator coil not repairable? Are you sure it's a 3-1/4 ton and not a 3-1/2 ton?

[Gifty74]

We pulled up the specs and that's wht it said, but we heard from someone else that 3.25 is not a popular size. Might be 3.5. I watched the service tech find the leak and he didn't show me exactly where it was, but was on the back end where we could not see. He said it could have multiple leaks so it would be best to replace.

[hvacvegas]

how old is the existing system in your house?

[beenthere]

You might want to find out if the company will install a air handler that you provide. And what that will cost you, before you buy it.

[Gifty74]

So I had another independent contractor come out to quote the job, and he said he installs Bryant brand A/C units. The other plumbing company that quoted it earlier in the week said they install Rheem or American Standard. My question is, are there much of a diff between those brands? I believe they both said they all come with a 10 yr warranty. Any advice on these brands and/or the warranty?

[BaldLoonie]

With a Carrier outside, might want to stay with Bryant or Carrier for the best possible match.

I'm not a fan of the current Rheem air handlers. Weird electrical requirements and had a few more coil failures than we'd like.

Is the Carrier R22? Many new units come with R410 expansion valves, they don't interchange though a few hacks apparently do it anyway :( Some Trane coils have an electronic valve which is switchable. If the Carrier has a recip compressor, it will need a hard start kit with any expansion valve, something dealers tend to forget.

[Integrity Aire]

not sure anyone will put thier stamp of approval on a mix and match idea around here, which is probably a good thing. in reality if the available coil is solid sized close (slightly larger better than smaller), proper procedures followed, proper metering device, it can work.

[Gifty74]

So how does the Bryant brand compare? They're the same as carrier, different name? He did say that he would use some other R22 compatible coil. My system was installed new with the house in 2003. They said if I did a full system replacement they would flush the lines and convert to R-410A.

[catmanacman]

Aspen has coils that will match your outdoor unit just add the correct size piston or txv

[Gifty74]

Update. Just had an independent contractor quote the job and he said he could do a coil replacement for about half the price of the first outfit, and same for a total system replacement. As mentioned he installs Bryant equipment. The plumbing company the quoted it first at about double installs American Standard. I'm mainly looking for advice around the very cheap price I was just quoted. It sounds like Bryant is fairly equivalent to American Standard as far as quality (both have 10 yr parts warranties). They both seem pretty sharp. The contractor did not have all the bells & whistles of the larger plumbing/HVAC company, but he seemed pretty to the point and will probably do it about as cheap as anyone from the comparison of pricing between the two.

Is there anything I need to be questioning? They both said they would do a line flush and convert to the new refrigerant (Puron for Bryant). The plumbing company said they would replace the evap pump (minor, can do that myself if it fails). Other than that is is pretty cut and dried as far as the work involved? Let me know what, if anything, I need to question the contractor about (aside from the obvious things like their license, and references). Thanks!