Replacing air conditioner compressor?

Question

It seems the a/c compressor on a summer house i bought it too small for the house and has trouble cooling it off. I am thinking of replacing it, but even though the furnace is 20 years old it works like a charm (the heat is aweseom, just a/c stinks) My questions are do you have to change both the compressor and the furnance on a system that old. What is cost range for an 1100 sq foot house in northeast (NJ) Thanks!

Answer 1

I bet you haven't priced it yet. If size is the only problem I would add a wall or window unit to the warmest section of the house.

The only trouble doing that is with that is wiring, available power, and the added noise.

Certainly you can replace the a/c and furnace separately.

BUT you are wanting to go larger with the a/c. You have to remember that they refer to it as a heating and cooling "system".  That means your blower and the size and amount of ducting plays a big role.

If indeed the a/c unit is undersized then no problem. But if it was matched to existing furnace, ducting, and vents, then all those would need to be increased in size too, at a major cost. Otherwise all you would end up doing is freezing up the coil because you can't move enough air to keep it warm. That would give little benefit to cooling the house better.  Air distribution is also an issue.

Check the temp at return air, and at the closest vent to the furnace. If you are in the range of a 20 degrees drop then it is sized properly and working okay. If close to10 degrees or less than 15 if may be undersized or not working well. Check after it has run a while.

But since it is far easier to heat than to cool, I am guessing the a/c likely matches the rest of the system and you can't go much larger without redoing the whole heating system for the home. (meaning new furnace and larger ducting).

That is why I suggest adding units as a better, cheaper, alternative.

You need a good estimater that also checks backpressure in the ducting to see if it will handle going larger with a/c with or without a larger blower in a new furnace. Or you are asking for problems.

Good Luck.

Answer 2

If the furnace is working good, at that age I would have it checked for safety but not replaced unless unsafe.

Unless they are built as a 'single' unit, you should be ale to replace the a/c separately.

Answer 3

YOU CAN REPLACE THE A/C SYSTEM INDEPENDENT OF THE FURNACE. YOU NEED TO KNOW THOUGH, THAT THERE IS AN EVAPORATOR COIL INSIDE THE FURNACE PLENUM( THE BIG SHEETMETAL BOX ON TOP OF THE FURNACE) . IT WILL HAVE TO BE CHANGED ALSO AS IT IS A MATCHED SET WITH THE OUTDOOR COMPRESSOR UNIT.