Comfort Star R22 units

[sport2426]

I’m a Comfortmaker contractor, and my distributor picked up these Comfort Star Central Air units as a 3rd line. These units are supposed to be a quote “replacement part” for R22 10 seer units. These units are not pre-charged.

To be honest I’m intrigued to see this in the market place in 2011. I live in Michigan, the economic arm pit of America for the last 5 years. And a lot of people cant afford a new 410a system around here. But I do like the idea of just swapping out older condensers & not the coils and line sets (like in the 80’s & 90’s generation). What could generate a lot more business for thrifty customers that don’t have the cash.

Has anyone used these new replacement Comfort Star Air conditioners? I tried to look up the specks on it, and cant find out the make of the compressor.

[SoFlaDave]

I've done a few 3 ton and under. Compressors were rotary design,no issues at all. Don't know who the comp mfg is but I believe the units are Chinese origin. 1 Airhandler had crossed wires at the heater plug. Heat ran constantly,really weird flaw. But otherwise seems pretty reliable.

[sport2426]

Unboxed one of the Comfort Star 2 ton units today. Looks really nice I’m surprised. Good solid cabinet.......
Yes, the compressor is a Rotary – made by Panasonic. It’s actually rated lower in noise compared to the scroll compressor. 5 year warranty on Compressor. I imagine this could open up the market place again. 1 hour slip & slide installs. Evacuate and pump down the system, and charge and your done. I like it.....

I’m going to throw one in my house in March/April once the snow’s gone.

[drumn91]

Last time I checked there are no direct replacements for R-22, 10 SEER.... ONLY R-22, 13 SEER. I do not believe you can install a 13 SEER condenser with a 10 SEER "older" evaporator and get a good working system, especially that will last. And Comfortstar shows R-22 Precharged right on their website, so I am not sure what happened to your freon in your units. I am glad this company is around now because now everyone will lay of Goodman. Some government we have......we cannot manufacture R-22 equipment in the USA anymore but China can and ship em over here..... People, just go with the times and tell your customers to get with the 410a revolution, far more efficient at producing cooling than R-22 anyways.

[Danimal535]

Last time I checked there are no direct replacements for R-22, 10 SEER.... ONLY R-22, 13 SEER. I do not believe you can install a 13 SEER condenser with a 10 SEER "older" evaporator and get a good working system, especially that will last. And Comfortstar shows R-22 Precharged right on their website, so I am not sure what happened to your freon in your units. I am glad this company is around now because now everyone will lay of Goodman. Some government we have......we cannot manufacture R-22 equipment in the USA anymore but China can and ship em over here..... People, just go with the times and tell your customers to get with the 410a revolution, far more efficient at producing cooling than R-22 anyways.

Don't think you know what your talking about as far as will it work for a strait A/C application and I do believe they are dry nitro charged unless its a leftover.

[skippedover]

By federal law no unit can be manufactured and shipped for sale charged with R-22. However, building a unit designed for R-22 and NOT charging it makes it a repair item and repairs are specifically approved under the law.

By federal law, no system can be manufactured for sale that has a SEER rating of less than 13. My understanding is that at one time the hi velocity systems continued to be manufactured even when they could only perform to 11-SEER by obtaining a waiver from the DOE. I'm not sure but I believe they now must also meet the 13-SEER minimum performance but please don't quote me on that as I have no solid information on which to base my statement.

[BaldLoonie]

Since dry units are available from most manufacturers, I'd go that route instead of the Chinese route. Well proven and have the parts and support available. Also from what I saw, Comfort Star units have 1 year parts where the rest have 5. Plus most have an American Copeland scroll not some Chinese rotary.

[drumn91]

Go to comfortstarusa.com and read the info....they claim to be "charged" with R-22 not nitrogen, which is what I've known to be the case. I'd take a Benchmark Scroll over any because of less moving parts than a Copeland, but what manufacturer is using Benchmark Scrolls??
Hi-Velocity systems have always been the most efficient air conditioning systems money can buy. So what happened? AHRI does NOT have the proper testing equipment/facilities to properly and accurately test and certify Hi-Velocity systems and ESP Inc. even has a variable frequency drive motor!!???
Talk to ANY engineer at Unico, Space-Pak or ESP (Hi-Velocity) and ask them what's up with this and they will all tell you they as manufacturers are pushing hardcore to get their 16 SEER certifications very soon because they are missing a HUGE market share with the federal tax credit sales. I am going to attempt to test and rate a 2.5 ton ESP Hi-Velocity system I am installing next week and I will get back with a dedicated post to put some real world information out there hopefully. :-)

[fotofx]

Did a Day & Night R-22 replacement the other day. Nitrogen filled with Scroll comp.. Nice unit but priced allot higher then a comparable 410 replacement. Plus the cost of refrigerant that normally would come with it. Final equipment savings was only about $180 after factoring in the 22 from what they could have got a new 410 comp/handler combo.

[drumn91]

I was told a story last week a guy installed a nitrogen charged Armstrong condenser and did NOT take the nitrogen out and it blew a hole out the side of the compressor and condenser coil!!!

[fotofx]

The one I did only had a minimal amount of nitrogen in it. I would say less then 40psi..

[JakRabbit]

Why are people putting in Dry R-22 units after this year we may see the biggest price jump in R-22 every and it will keep going. So put them in a R-22 unit! When it gets a leak 6 years from now where it may need a coil just tell them to fill it up, oh Wait $75.00 a pound at 5 lbs ummm yeah that will do.

Seriously tell them to just get a 410a system and save money in the long run. Dry units are only for Apartments where its impossiable to try a newer R410a system.

[fotofx]

Why are people putting in Dry R-22 units after this year we may see the biggest price jump in R-22 every and it will keep going. So put them in a R-22 unit! When it gets a leak 6 years from now where it may need a coil just tell them to fill it up, oh Wait $75.00 a pound at 5 lbs ummm yeah that will do.

Seriously tell them to just get a 410a system and save money in the long run. Dry units are only for Apartments where its impossiable to try a newer R410a system.


You inform them of these facts, but ultimately it is their decision.

Many of my customers are doing foreclosures, they just want it working to flip the house with the lowest cost available.

[sport2426]

Why are people putting in Dry R-22 units after this year we may see the biggest price jump in R-22 every and it will keep going. So put them in a R-22 unit! When it gets a leak 6 years from now where it may need a coil just tell them to fill it up, oh Wait $75.00 a pound at 5 lbs ummm yeah that will do.

Seriously tell them to just get a 410a system and save money in the long run. Dry units are only for Apartments where its impossiable to try a newer R410a system.

This is the problem with our local economy. Our customer base around here is thrifty. Most people remember the days of affordable Air Conditioning. When you could pick up a 10 seer unit w/whip, disconnect, pad, coil, and condenser for under $600. And install it under 2 grand.

We all know since the phase out of the 10 seer R22 industry, the cost for equipment almost doubled. Putting a lot of people out of the market for a new A/C. I live in metro Detroit (high unemployment area).

It will be hell a lot easer to sell a R22 replacement condenser (Comfort Star) brand. Than it is for a whole brand new 410a system. The benefits are, the profit margin will about be the same. And labor time is cut down to 1.5 hours for a new install.

The problem I have is…. Look at 410a! Why in the hell is it still priced about $100 more than R22? It’s ridiculous! 410a should be under $150 a jug now, but it’s not. Around here R22 has been the same price for 2 years now. 410a has dropped a little bit. But come on. There is no reason why 410a is still priced that high.

[BaldLoonie]

1.5 hours for an outdoor unit?

Blow the old charge?

Kentucky flush not an evacuation with pump & micron gauge?