AIR CONDITIONERS
This is an information page for owners regarding replacement of our air conditioning systems at 268 First Avenue and 211 Second Avenue.
Background
Each suite in ours building has a it's own individual air conditioning system. Each consists of three components: a compressor on the roof (the big cube one sees beside houses), an air handler in each suite's utility room, and a pair of copper pipes joining these and running in the walls (line sets). These carry the refrigerant liquid and gas.
Most owners still have the originally-installed air conditioning units and these are at the end of their expected life span (20-25 years). Although most are still working, we can expect an increasing number of failures in the near future.
The board has decided to replace all roof-top compressors and line sets. This is at the corporation's expense. This will cause far less disruption than replacing them one by one as systems fail because walls must be broken into each time a line set is replaced. This also means that the air handlers within owners' utility rooms will also need to be replaced. Air handler replacement is at the owner's expense.
The following section elaborates and provides answers to questions that owners might have. If there are unanswered questions, please email .....
Q: My air conditioner works well. Can I not have it replaced when it fails?
There are problems:
(1) The technician will have to put holes in the walls each time one is replaced to access the pipes rather than just once. On the First Avenue side this is particularly problematic since the pipes are behind the walls of some individual suites.
(2) If air handlers fail, they can leak water with the damage that entails
(3) We prefer to limit the number of times and variety of technicians that have to access and work on the roof.
Q: Are there any advantages to replacing my AC now?
(1) With the current inflation, we can expect the cost of these units to start rising.
(2) New units are as much as 25% more efficient
Q: Do I have a choice? Can I wait and replace my air conditioning system later?
The board cannot oblige an owner to replace the in-suite air handler because the corporation does not own it. However, the board can decide to replace the roof-top compressors and the line sets. Once that is done, the existing air handler will not work.
Q: Why do the line sets (refrigerant copper pipes) need to be changed? Can't we use the existing ones?
Our existing line sets carry Freon. Freon damages the ozone layer and its use is not permitted for new air conditioners. Newer approved refrigerants run at higher pressure and use a different lubricant. We discuss this further below.
Q: Have any other replacement schemes been considered?
Yes. The board considered replacing only the line sets, all in one go. The thinking was that air conditioners could then be replaced and attached when they fail. However this would mean adding line sets, not replacing them. This would be involve coring a new set of holes through the concrete on each floor and was deemed not feasible.
Q: Is a heat pump better than an air conditioner?
A heat pump acts as an air conditioner in summer and a heater in winter. The physical unit is similar to an air conditioner, with a roof-top component, line sets running in the walls and an air handler in your utility room. Here is some information we have gathered:
(1) Heat pumps will heat your condo unit at modestly cold outside temperatures. On very cold days, your usual boiler will provide your heat.
(2) Heat pumps run on electricity, your boiler is fuelled by natural gas. At this time, electricity is not cheaper than gas. However, it is thought that electricity may become cheaper in the future making heat pumps a more economical choice.
(3) The mass of our condo building retains a lot of heat making fuel costs generally less expensive.
(4) Heat pumps are more complex devices than air conditioners and may be more prone to problems and necessary repairs.
Q: Will the corporation pay for a heat pump instead of an air conditioner?
The corporation will pay the amount that the air conditioner costs. The owner will need to pay any excess cost.
Q: What brand and model of compressor will the corporation buy?
That will be determined once a provider has been chosen.
Q: How will the board decide from which firm to purchase air conditioners and which model to buy?
Bids from three companies will be sought. The board will decide based on price, brand and model of the compressor and reputation of the firm.
Q: Once the brand and model of air conditioner chosen is known, can owners choose to buy a different one?
Yes, though any price difference will be payable by the owner.
Q: How will I choose and arrange for the air handler?
Owners can look after that themselves with any company including the firm chosen to do the compressor and pipes.
Q: How much can do air handlers cost?
------
Q: Who is responsible for maintenance and repair of the new systems?
As now, the owner is responsible for the in-suite component (air handler and portion of the line sets within the suite). The corporation is responsible for the rest of the line-set and compressor on the roof.
Q: Some condo buildings are using their old line sets. Why don't we?
(1) Besides Freon, our line sets carry a lubricant, usually mineral oil. Mineral oil is compatible with Freon but not with commonly used new refrigerants. Doing so can damage the compressor. It is possible to remove the mineral oil and inject a compatible lubricant into the same pipes. However this can be a difficult process and most be done very thoroughly lest damage occur due to residual mineral oil.
(2) The new refrigerant operates at a higher pressure than Freon. Although our copper pipes are able to function at that higher pressure, there may be more chance of a leak at joints, as they age.
(3) Using our line sets means that we are expecting over 40 years of service from them.
(4) In some cases, the air conditioner warrantee may require that we install the new upgraded line sets.
Background
Each suite in ours building has a it's own individual air conditioning system. Each consists of three components: a compressor on the roof (the big cube one sees beside houses), an air handler in each suite's utility room, and a pair of copper pipes joining these and running in the walls (line sets). These carry the refrigerant liquid and gas.
Most owners still have the originally-installed air conditioning units and these are at the end of their expected life span (20-25 years). Although most are still working, we can expect an increasing number of failures in the near future.
The board has decided to replace all roof-top compressors and line sets. This is at the corporation's expense. This will cause far less disruption than replacing them one by one as systems fail because walls must be broken into each time a line set is replaced. This also means that the air handlers within owners' utility rooms will also need to be replaced. Air handler replacement is at the owner's expense.
The following section elaborates and provides answers to questions that owners might have. If there are unanswered questions, please email .....
Q: My air conditioner works well. Can I not have it replaced when it fails?
There are problems:
(1) The technician will have to put holes in the walls each time one is replaced to access the pipes rather than just once. On the First Avenue side this is particularly problematic since the pipes are behind the walls of some individual suites.
(2) If air handlers fail, they can leak water with the damage that entails
(3) We prefer to limit the number of times and variety of technicians that have to access and work on the roof.
Q: Are there any advantages to replacing my AC now?
(1) With the current inflation, we can expect the cost of these units to start rising.
(2) New units are as much as 25% more efficient
Q: Do I have a choice? Can I wait and replace my air conditioning system later?
The board cannot oblige an owner to replace the in-suite air handler because the corporation does not own it. However, the board can decide to replace the roof-top compressors and the line sets. Once that is done, the existing air handler will not work.
Q: Why do the line sets (refrigerant copper pipes) need to be changed? Can't we use the existing ones?
Our existing line sets carry Freon. Freon damages the ozone layer and its use is not permitted for new air conditioners. Newer approved refrigerants run at higher pressure and use a different lubricant. We discuss this further below.
Q: Have any other replacement schemes been considered?
Yes. The board considered replacing only the line sets, all in one go. The thinking was that air conditioners could then be replaced and attached when they fail. However this would mean adding line sets, not replacing them. This would be involve coring a new set of holes through the concrete on each floor and was deemed not feasible.
Q: Is a heat pump better than an air conditioner?
A heat pump acts as an air conditioner in summer and a heater in winter. The physical unit is similar to an air conditioner, with a roof-top component, line sets running in the walls and an air handler in your utility room. Here is some information we have gathered:
(1) Heat pumps will heat your condo unit at modestly cold outside temperatures. On very cold days, your usual boiler will provide your heat.
(2) Heat pumps run on electricity, your boiler is fuelled by natural gas. At this time, electricity is not cheaper than gas. However, it is thought that electricity may become cheaper in the future making heat pumps a more economical choice.
(3) The mass of our condo building retains a lot of heat making fuel costs generally less expensive.
(4) Heat pumps are more complex devices than air conditioners and may be more prone to problems and necessary repairs.
Q: Will the corporation pay for a heat pump instead of an air conditioner?
The corporation will pay the amount that the air conditioner costs. The owner will need to pay any excess cost.
Q: What brand and model of compressor will the corporation buy?
That will be determined once a provider has been chosen.
Q: How will the board decide from which firm to purchase air conditioners and which model to buy?
Bids from three companies will be sought. The board will decide based on price, brand and model of the compressor and reputation of the firm.
Q: Once the brand and model of air conditioner chosen is known, can owners choose to buy a different one?
Yes, though any price difference will be payable by the owner.
Q: How will I choose and arrange for the air handler?
Owners can look after that themselves with any company including the firm chosen to do the compressor and pipes.
Q: How much can do air handlers cost?
------
Q: Who is responsible for maintenance and repair of the new systems?
As now, the owner is responsible for the in-suite component (air handler and portion of the line sets within the suite). The corporation is responsible for the rest of the line-set and compressor on the roof.
Q: Some condo buildings are using their old line sets. Why don't we?
(1) Besides Freon, our line sets carry a lubricant, usually mineral oil. Mineral oil is compatible with Freon but not with commonly used new refrigerants. Doing so can damage the compressor. It is possible to remove the mineral oil and inject a compatible lubricant into the same pipes. However this can be a difficult process and most be done very thoroughly lest damage occur due to residual mineral oil.
(2) The new refrigerant operates at a higher pressure than Freon. Although our copper pipes are able to function at that higher pressure, there may be more chance of a leak at joints, as they age.
(3) Using our line sets means that we are expecting over 40 years of service from them.
(4) In some cases, the air conditioner warrantee may require that we install the new upgraded line sets.