[Charles218]

In 2010 we replaced our furnace with a Bryant Plus 95S Evolution model, the AC was still fine so we didn't replace that. The furnace has been fine, though I am now having issues with the AC. It is about 23 years old and rather than pay a couple hundred bucks in repairs, I'm considering replacing it. Two questions, is it a good idea to replace a unit that is this old? I just don't want to start feeding it money and curious to know if this might be a good time to go with a new unit.

Also, after reading here on this forum, I understand that good service, availability of parts, etc. might be a more important thing to consider for a new installation rather than a specific brand. Because I have a newish Bryant furnace, is there any reason why I should consider getting a Bryant AC unit? The furnace has given excellent service and I am very happy with the company that services it.

 

[user_12345a]

Parts are generic for all basic 13-14 seer units - brand not very important.

As for existing unit, what issues does it have?

Electrical problems are worth fixing, refrigeration problems are not.


If the compressor is good and it's not leaking refrigerant, i say keep it.

 

[Charles218]

The unit worked fine last week after I cleaned the debris from the condenser housing and cleaned the fins. Last night, the compressor came on but the fan do not, the compressor housing became quite hot. I assume that it can be repaired, but at 23 years am I at the point where repair are going to come more frequently?

 

[user_12345a]

could be a bad capacitor, motor or connection.

normally < $200 repair if you do it yourself. if it's not the motor, could be under $50.

the labour cost is the killer.

 

[pwcopy]

The contactor on my 19-year old Goodman A/C unit is going on the fritz every so often, so I'm going to replace it ($25) before I give up on the whole thing.

 

[Charles218]

Mine is a Goodman unit, it was installed in 1997 or so which is when we purchased the house. I don't mind paying to have it repaired, though I suspect that with labor we are talking at least a couple of hundred. I don't mind doing it myself, though I've never really worked on these before. Plus, the problem began a couple of days after I cleaned the unit, I suspect that this isn't a coincidence. Is 23 years old for one of these?

 

[user_12345a]

It could be a disconnected wire.

A professional repair would likely run you way more than $200.

If you've done any electrical before and know how to make connections, be safe you should be okay trying to repair yourself with instructions from here.

a multi-meter is required unless it's something visually obvious - one that checks capacitance is preferred to avoid replacing good capacitors.

 

[dj3]

"Last night, the compressor came on but the fan do not, the compressor housing became quite hot. I assume that it can be repaired, but at 23 years am I at the point where repair are going to come more frequently?"
- It's worth fixing since the compressor is still working. Watch videos on the subject and ask yourself whether you can do it or not.
Get a matching capacitors (available online) if you feel you can do it. Always disconnect the power.
If the compressor or coil are bad, get new equipment.

 

[pwcopy]

Mine is a Goodman unit, it was installed in 1997 or so which is when we purchased the house. I don't mind paying to have it repaired, though I suspect that with labor we are talking at least a couple of hundred. I don't mind doing it myself, though I've never really worked on these before. Plus, the problem began a couple of days after I cleaned the unit, I suspect that this isn't a coincidence. Is 23 years old for one of these?

I'm not an HVAC guy, so all I have is my own experience to form an opinion. I live in Southeast Michigan, and while I do cover the unit every winter, it still gets sun-blasted and rained on for at least 6 months out of the year. Then it gets a real good work out during the four or so months of warm weather. My thinking is if all it's going to cost is a couple hundred, that's better than the $2K if might cost to replace it. An earlier post about doing electrical but not doing compressor repair rings true to me as well. The real trick if finding an honest HVAC guy who will tell you what's wrong and give you a fair price. Let us know how it works out.

 

[Charles218]

I have a great deal of respect for electricity, and I have a good sense for when I am attempting to do something beyond my abilities. I have generally stayed away from capacitors as I know that they can hold their charge after power is cut off. Schedule allowing, I will go out and take a look and see if it is something obvious, could a bad capacitor cause just the fan to not operate? Again, I can hear the compressor running and feel quite a bit of heat coming from the unit.

 

[dj3]

"Is 23 years old for one of these?"
- An old Goodman can actually last these many years, so it's a judgment call.
New Goodman (now a Japanese company but made here) are better than the old ones.
I would not hesitate getting a Goodman unit.

 

[dj3]

Meantime, don't let the compressor overheat.

 

[user_12345a]

...yes or you'll be looking for a new unit. don't run it without the fan working.

 

[Old Thomas]

In western NY 20 or so years is considered to be the lifespan. If you can afford it, replace it. I hate it when an old unit dies during the hottest week of the year when everyone is busy and prices are at the highest.

 

[Charles218]

Gentlemen, thanks for the encouragement to check this out on my own, as you can see from one of the attached photos, the red wire is burnt and not connected. That seems like an easy fix, except I am not 100% sure which terminal it came off of. On top of the capacitor I see three color coded rings, white, green, and black. I believe that it goes on one of the black coded terminals. The actual color markers are rubber, and the terminal where I believe this goes has gotten quite hot and the rubber actually melted. Is there any sure way to know which terminal I need to hook up to?

Thanks!!!

 

[user_12345a]

check schematic to know which color is start winding of motor and goes to the F terminal on the capacitor.

the other from the fan on the same circuit connects to the common terminal.

the cap should have terminals labelled F and H. C/common may not be labelled.

 

[Charles218]

Okay, I see by looking at the schematic where it goes, but, do I need to be concerned about fidgeting around with the capacitor? I've repaired the wire and put on a new connector, just need to plug it in, but capacitors make me a bit nervous.

 

[user_12345a]

Make sure the capacitor is discharged.

If you want to do things properly, put a bleed resistor across the terminals for 30 seconds, hold with insulated pliers.

https://www.amazon.com/93106-QC-13-Bleed-Resistor-Capacitors/dp/B07JMFB4L6

If you want to just be quick, short the terminals with a screw-driver you don't care about, short the terminals. if it's charged there will be a spark and loud pop.

Being cheap, i would go for the latter, most do.

 

[Charles218]

Things are "cool" again, replaced the damaged wire, that didn't do the trick. Replaced the capacitor and all is back in full operating condition. Thanks to all for your generous assistance with this.