I have a 30 year old central AC system that is starting to fail. I'm thankful it lasted as long as it did. In doing some research and talking to neighbors, they were told as recently as last year that the only option is to completely rip out the old piping, evaporator, and condenser, and replace everything. The tough part for me is that that involves a lot of demo and patching, because the lines run above finished ceilings. It would be both extremely expensive and disruptive to do all that work. My line comes in at ground level, goes up an exterior wall (within the wall), goes across my living room and bathroom ceilings, then goes up to the third floor where the air handler is. So that's a lot of ceiling to fix afterwards.

I spoke to a local HVAC contractor today, and he mentioned that there is a new refrigerant and/or system available now that doesn't require that much work. It can use the existing evaporator and lines (assuming they are still good), and only the condenser needs to be replaced. He told me quickly in conversation what the new refrigerant was, but there was so much going on in the conversation that I failed to write it down. He said it's pretty new - within the past year or so that it's really come onto the market.

Does anyone know what he might be referring to? I'd like to do some research on it before he comes to look over my system. I'm on the fence for repair or replace - mainly because I'm afraid of sticker shock for replacing, but I don't know if repairing a 30 year old condenser is even worthwhile. It appears that it may only be the fan motor or capacitor at first glance, but with my luck, they'll replace that, and then something else will go.

Thanks!