[mikeyouse]

Yeah I've considered this route... Mr Cool makes some precharged linesets for their heat pumps that are a still lower resistance path, but I'm at a bit of a loss how to take care of the refrigerant in the existing AC if I do end up DIYing it and swapping that unit out for a HP.

[briHass]

If the unit is still operational, it can usually be 'pumped down', which essentially means closing the 'out' valve and force-running the compressor to pull all the refrigerant back into the main compressor unit. You then might be able to take it to the waste facility, where they have people licensed to recover the refrigerant (for a fee).

I have my EPA cert, and I'd still probably go that route. The recovery pumps are expensive ($500+) and you need a recovery tank ($100), and then you still need to find somewhere that will take it from you. For a single job, it might be better to pay a HVAC company/moonlighting tech to do that part and do all the manual labor yourself.

[mikeyouse]

Oh nice, that pump down process is something I hadn't heard of. I do have a good plumber and electrician, and our County has really good waste disposal options so that may work for me. Appreciate the heads up there.