Replace heat pump or get new system

[kpiontek]

Our 20 year-old Trane XE heat pump have up this weekend, the compressor apparently blew. The tech that came out recommended replacing the heat pump with another one from Trane (still with R22 refrigerant) and keeping the old air handler. Getting a new system is another option we obviously consider, a two stage system or even the new Carrier Infinity Greenspeed system. The tech said he recommended simply replacing the old heat pump since the new refrigerant (R-410A ) requires a higher pressure and he has seen many failures of these new systems. True? How reliable are the systems nowadays? If the installation is done right, there shouldn't be any more problems than before. Also, the copper lines for the refrigerant would have to be replace for the new R-410A, is that correct? The brands (Trane, Carrier etc) are less important to us but the new Carrier Greenspeed seems very interesting. What would be good recommendation for the Mid-Atlantic region, north of Baltimore. I know that the installer should do a Manual-J heatload calculation to properly size the system, and I have done a lot of air sealing and insulation work to the house (same age as the heat pump) so the system could be smaller than before. Does anybody know when the Carrier fall rebate program starts, by aby chance? I know that Trane's is currently in effect, as this would influence the pricing for the systems.
Any input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Klaus

[t527ed]

at 20 years old i would replace the whole system. trying to match a new r-22 system to a 20 year old coil could be problems.

get a good r-410 system and get another 20 years of service.

[BaldLoonie]

Yea, you'd be asking for trouble with a 13 SEER HP on the old coil. Likely have to adjust the refrigerant level twice a year. That would get expensive!!!!!!! The reliability issues we are seeing now aren't from 410, they are from lousy installers and cheaply built equipment since HO's want the lowest prices.

[jtrammel]

Yea, you'd be asking for trouble with a 13 SEER HP on the old coil. Likely have to adjust the refrigerant level twice a year. That would get expensive!!!!!!! The reliability issues we are seeing now aren't from 410, they are from lousy installers and cheaply built equipment since HO's want the lowest prices.

X2, r22 was more forgiving to bad installs than 410a seems to be

[kpiontek]

Thanks for the answers everybody, was my gut felling as well to go with a new system. I'll post a new thread with some question about heat pump systems.

[second opinion]

Thanks for the answers everybody, was my gut felling as well to go with a new system. I'll post a new thread with some question about heat pump systems.

Check the dealer directory in the index, there are several good companies that are north of Baltimore on this site.