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Posted by Puddin' Man on April 27, 2007, 5:51 pm
>My central AC is 20 years old. It still works, but, given the age, I'm
>concerned that the need for a new system may not be that far into the
>future. When it comes time install a new condenser, I probably would want
>to install a new furnace too, since it is
>also 20 years old.....good idea, right?
Almost always a good idea, yes.
>KEY QUESTION: I was told that when a new AC system is installed, they like
>to install new refrigerant lines although the customer sometimes will opt to
>not have that done. Is it really important to install new refrigerant
>lines?
Largely depends on the condition of the old lines -and- the specs/
fittings required for the new lines. Some contractors may require
new lines for their standard warranty.
>Reason I ask: my basement ceiling is finished with drywall. Replacing
>existing lines would involve ripping up the ceiling.
Are you sure?
Say you needed to replace a Romex (elec.) cable running thru the wall.
Often the new cable can be attached to the old, allowing one to pull
the new into place when removing the old.
Something like that -may- be practical for the refrigerant lines?
Obviously this is the kind of thing you could ask about when getting
an HVAC estimate, unless you can already see why it wouldn't work.
>However, one option
>that that would NOT involve ripping up ceiling drywall, would be install NEW
>lines by running them out a straighter path in which the lines would only be
>visible inside the house within a closet, except that, once outside the
>lines are outside they would be running undereath the deck and then run
>along the side of back of the townhouse for maybe 4 or 5 feet or so to get
>to the condenser location.
Hard to follow that ...
>Since my townhouse is a condo, I don't know if
>they would allow having the refrigerant lines be run from a different
>location in which the lines would be more visible than before.
Ask 'em.
>(The
>existing lines exit the house right behind where the condenser sits.)
>Also, the association may be installing a new deck within 10 years, and if
>new refrigerant lines were running underneath the deck then this could be
>problematic when they replace the deck. Do you think my concerns about
>running new lines from a different location aren't valid?
Can't tell from here.
Good Luck,
Puddin'
"Mit der Dummheit kaempfen Goetter selbst vergebens!"
-Friedrich Schiller
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