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Glenn Norris · Dec 27, 2008, 01:53 PM

One of our 2 Ruud heat pump keeps cycling on auxiliary heat. The installer says there is nothing wrong, if so why is the other one working properly, plus in the summer it will not get below 76 degrees with that same unit. Freon is fine.

MarkwithaK · Dec 27, 2008, 05:51 PM

How do you know that the REFRIGERANT level is fine?

Glenn Norris · Dec 28, 2008, 07:02 AM

The HVAC guys checked it.

KC13 · Dec 28, 2008, 08:13 AM

Was anything checked besides the refrigerant charge? Airflow problems will mask charge problems.

Glenn Norris · Dec 28, 2008, 11:57 AM

Yes, a complete system check by installer.

KC13 · Dec 28, 2008, 12:04 PM

Have you discussed your concerns with the installer? If so, what was their response?

Glenn Norris · Dec 28, 2008, 12:09 PM

I think they are finding every excuse they can to not fix it. I am considering calling another authorized Ruud installer for their opinion, what's another $100.? Like I have it!

KC13 · Dec 28, 2008, 12:15 PM

Can you share some history (how long have you resided there, how old is equipment, has performance always been an issue, etc.)? Volunteer whatever you feel may be relevant. The more info, the more insight.

hvac1000 · Dec 28, 2008, 12:20 PM

One of our 2 Ruud heat pump keeps cycling on auxillary heat. The installer says there is nothing wrong, if so why is the other one working properly, plus in the summer it will not get below 76 degrees with that same unit. Freon is fine.

Unless you know for sure that the problem unit worked to both heat and cool the home before it is possible the unit is a bit to small for the area being serviced. Just because you have two units does not mean that they will both do the same job because the area size,window locations etc can have a adverse effect on unit performance.

Now if you know for sure that the problem unit worked well and had no problems before then that is a different story. This problem is usually happens when a person just buys a home and the problem shows up. But the problem has been there all along for the other owner. Just a thought.

MarkwithaK · Dec 28, 2008, 12:28 PM

Originally Posted by Glenn Norris

Yes, a complete system check by installer.

The same guys that told you nothing was wrong with it told you the refrigerant charge was fine?

Glenn Norris · Dec 28, 2008, 01:27 PM

We have had this system 3 years now. From the beginning there was something not right. First they swapped out the electronic wall unit. Problem pursists, then we found out that sometimes the unit will trip a shut-off switch at the heat pump, they said that during severe temperature drops the unit will "protect itself" by tripping a switch at the heat pump. We were told to turn it off, go outside, hit the reset button on the heat pump and turn the unit back on. A couple of months ago my brother in-law who is very handy,and knows about these things checked it for us. We found that the refriderant was low, he added some and the heat pump ran fine, for awhile, then began to cycle the auxiliary heat again, even on days that did not go below 45 degrees the auxiliary heat came on, we thought there must be a leak, we checked it with a "sniffer" and found no leak, at least above ground. The techs that came out said things like "the thermistat is not getting good air flow in the hall were it is located, that a window 3 feet away was causing false readings (the window is an indoor window not exposed to the outdoors), there is not enough air flow for the thermostat to work properly, that side of the house is shaded and has to work harder ( this does not explain why when we have had several straight grey rainy days the one unit worked and the other did not.)
That one side of the house is working harder than the other, etc. I am beginning to think it was not sized right for our house or the problem will not become evident until the warranty is up! None of this explains why in the summer it will not get any cooler than 74 degrees.

hvac1000 · Dec 28, 2008, 01:53 PM

I am beginning to think it was not sized right for our house or the problem will not become evident until the warranty is up! None of this explains why in the summer it will not get any cooler than 74 degrees.

If the unit is not sized correctly for the house area then it will not cool down correctly either.

You might have answered your own question.

wmproop · Dec 28, 2008, 10:26 PM

Possible over refrigerant charge,, when heatpump only is working have you checked the temperature of the supply air,,

Glenn Norris · Dec 30, 2008, 07:59 AM

Yes, air supply is right on target.