I have a Rudd system an its 5 years old, Its starting to cost me money on intermittant repairs, just had a recent issue having to reset pressure switch on heat mode every 5 minutes, had technician come out and installed gauges and it trips on 110/450. He told me that may be expansion valve, he checked for any restrictions in attic and there was no evidence of that, he will get back to me next week on what the charges may be to do repairs.

I am frustrated not getting consistent heat, purchased temp electric heater while I try to resolve this issue.

I want to be proactive and investigate what would be a good replacement unit. The system that I have is :

Model no. UPMC036JAZ6306 (RHEEM) - heat pump
HANDLER: UBHC17J06NFH

My home has 1636 SF living Area.

I would appreciate any suggestions.

I hope everyone had a wonderful happy new years holiday.


Thankis

This is the best you will get. Brand makes NO difference since it is all about the install. All units will have a problem every once in a while.

hvac1000,

You have helped me with this issue when resetiing pressure switch, does the expansion valve sounds like the solution for repairs and what would the extimated cost of such repairs? Since unit is only 5 years old should I replace it?

This is a expensive retail part cost for your unit in regards to the expansion valve.

OEM Direct Factory Replacement Expansion Valve (Rheem/Ruud): American HVAC Parts (http://americanhvacparts.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=EXPU6126019A&Category_Code=ehee)

Outdoor unit I have seen TXV fail and close causing Hi Pressure switch to trip. TXV is bypassed in cooling mode. Indoor coil meters refrigerant in cooling mode. So your outdoor expansion valve could be bad. Naturally this is somewhat of a guess on my part since I am not there to see it all.

With today's labor rate with recovery of the refrigerant, adding a new liquid line drier(MUST DO to protect the new expansion valve) and all the other stuff 500.00-600.00 but different prices prevail in different areas.

Well, giving you the results of what was the conclusion of my problem, not only is good to ask for help on this website, but we should give the answers of what was the problem that was finally repaired.

I had another tech out tonight which I could not reached previously because he was away for the holidays and when calling him on the phone he immediately told me what the problem was, he said and confirmed at arrival The unit was overcharged, too much refrigerant for this type of unit Rudd/Rheem units tend to have this issue. Removed enough that the unit finally would not trip at all and it's been working fine for 6 hours and good heat.

No expansion valve needed

Thanks hvac1000 for your assistance and guidance and everyone else.

Yes that cure also does sound logical. This is one of the problems we have on the board. When you are not there to actually see all that is going on you have to kind of guess at the problem. I am glad you got it going and you have a tech close by to help you out. How did it get over charged to start with since I seem to have missed that part of the story.

I have had so 4 different companys service my unit, I believe it was last tech out 6 months ago, he stated he added a little freon.

Thanks again for the help. Have a good one, WOW! We have heat again!