Lennox A/C 1988 HS19 series buy new A/C or charge?

[miamiujen]

Our old Lennox has been very reliable, but this season the air is not very cool. Haven't noticed any icing up. The filter is new and the outside unit is clean (no debris). It was checked last June and did not need refrigerant. We had a starter kit installed. This season the air is definitely not as cool. I keep the thermostat set to 80 and on these really hot days we've had, I keep bumping it up more just to get the thing to stay off for a while. We hate to give up on what has been a reliable A/C, but my husband and I are going back and forth on what action to take. He said he'd probably have refrigerant added. But I have to believe if it lost that much from last June until this June, something else is going on. We went from 1988 until 2008 before it needed 2 pounds of refrigerant. Now it must be losing refrigerant more rapidly. What to do....what to do? If we are going to get a new A/C, I want to do it soon so we'll have the benefit for the rest of the summer. We hope to downsize (move) within 2 years or so. We live in an area where home values have declined quite a bit. So we will not recoup much of anything. But buyers won't be keen on having a 24 year A/C to deal with.

[BaldLoonie]

At that age I'd say it is time to bite the bullet and put her out to pasture. Leaks tend to get worse not better and with the price of R22 these days, keeping it full will get pricey fast. Don't have to get anything fancy. Any shiny new unit, even if a basic model, will be more appealing to a new buyer than an oldie.

[miamiujen]

Thanks! I tend to agree with you! ;)

[motoguy128]

IF oyu have to add refrigerant thsi year and never had to before, then it's spring a leak. Could be big, could be small. But on a unit that old, it's probably not worth fixing.

Anyone buying the home will probaly take a deduct for having a old ac system that needs ot be repalced. While a new system will be an asset when you go to sell. IF you're in a tight market, not only will increase sales value, but it might set you home apart as being more updated than another. IF values are declining, it's a buyers market and there's plenty of supply. Homes with newer HVAC along with more updated kitchens, baths and flooring, new roofs, godo landscaping/curb appeal will sell quicker.

That being said, I would put in a fairly inexpensive system if you're moving soon.

[miamiujen]

Thanks for your input. It helps me a lot as I try to make the wisest decision possible. ;)