R-410A & AHRI Guidelines

R-410A & AHRI Guidelines

The acronym "AHRI" stands for the Air Conditioning Heating and Refrigeration Institute
  1. This is adopted in Florida, North Carolina and various other municipals across the United States.
  2. This is the trade association representing manufacturers of air conditioning, heating and commercial refrigeration equipment.
  3. AHRI standards establishing rating criteria and procedures for measuring and certifying product performance.

What does this mean?

In AHRI states and municipalities technicians cannot replace partial split systems if both indoor and outdoor do not match in SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating), Refrigerant, and Operational Compatibilities Ratings.

Example:
The customer currently has a 2012 10 SEER, R22 Straight Cool Split Unit. The Evaporator Coil is leaking but there is no failure with the Condensing Unit. 
Even though replacing only the indoor coil will work, per these regulations, the entire system needs to be replaced to match.

Coverage In AHRI States

Evaporator Coil/Indoor Unit ONLY failure
  1. Customer is responsible for cost of all material and labor that applies to the replacement of the outdoor unit.
Condenser/Outdoor Unit ONLY failure
  1. Cinch will cover the Evaporator Coil if it's deemed that it is not operationally compatible with the condenser based on the age of the Evaporator Coil and if it can handle R-410A Pressures.
    1. Straight Cool - 1992 or newer: Will be compatible and if no failure with Evaporator Coil, customer’s responsibility.
    2. Heat Pump - 2006 or newer: Will be compatible and if no failure with Evaporator Coil, customer’s responsibility.

Coverage In Non-AHRI States

Repairing Unit vs. Complete System Replacement: Evaporator Coil ONLY failure
  1. If there is a failure with only the Evaporator Coil and if the Condenser is a 10 SEER or higher, it will be compatible with a coil that has to be changed out with a higher SEER.
    1. Meaning we will replace only the Evaporator Coil (which will be R-410A) with a R-22 Metering Device/TXV.
    2. If unit is operational but tech recommends changing out the Condenser also or to match the system, the Condenser will not be addressed as it is an upgrade.

  2. If there is a failure with only the Evaporator Coil and the Condenser is an 8 SEER or lower, even if operating, it will not be compatible.
    1. Meaning indoor and outdoor will need to be replaced and Cinch will cover.
Repairing Unit vs. Complete System Replacement: Condenser ONLY failure
  1. Cinch will cover the Evaporator Coil if is deemed that it is not operationally compatible with the Condenser based on the age of the Evaporator Coil.
    1. Straight Cool - 1992 or newer: Will be compatible and if no failure with Evaporator Coil, customer's responsibility if they want to upgrade.
    2. ​Heat Pump - 2006 or newer: Will be compatible and if no failure with Evaporator Coil, customer’s responsibility if they want to upgrade.


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