[andrewoto]

Recently purchased a home in SW VA with 2 5 ton pumps. Shortly before closing on the house, the downstairs unit required additional refrigerant. The house is not constantly occupied and last month we received a HUGE heating bill. I do not know if the unit was heating effectively or not. We had a HVAC contractor come to evaluate the heat pump as the possible source of the problem. He did say that the temperature was being maintained at 60 degrees, but was relying on aux. heat. I am not sure what the thought process is here, but he is telling us that we need a new compressor, and wants to charge us $400 for disposal of the old unit, and for disposal of the refrigerant. Question is how do I / we know if it's the compressor, and in order to replace the compressor, is it standard the charge such a fee for disposal of parts? Thanks for your time and consideration on answering this one. I have never had a heat pump house before, so this is all new.

[EPMiller]

Aux heat runs whenever the temperature falls a certain amount below the thermostat setpoint. If it ran a lot, the heat pump just wasn't keeping up. Or a window was open. Or the thermostat is out of whack. Could be several things, the compressor is one. If you weren't living there, it could be hard to tell. You will have to get it looked at. Really not a bad way to start if you aren't familiar with those type of systems. I really hope nothing major is wrong or you got sold a bill of goods when you bought the house.

Get two or three estimates. Even if you have to pay a service call. Replacing compressors is major surgery. Check with your local BBB for good contractors if you aren't familiar with the area or don't know someone who can give good recommendations. As to paying for it, is there any house guarantee or what kind of settlement agreements did you make?

EPM

[cornerstonehvac]

I agree with EP Miller. But some one charging you $400.00 for the disposal of the unit and freon THAT IS JUST A PLAIN RIP-OFF. I would find someone else and tell the other Co. to kiss it.

[EPMiller]

Whoa, I missed the idea that it was $400 just for disposal! That's robbery! I assumed that was for the whole job, which may or may not be reasonable, depending on the area. Hope you find a good repairman.

EPM

[andrewoto]

Truly appreciate the input so far, as I try to navigate through this. Follow on question for anyone who is willing... Have pretty much decided to replace the entire unit. There seems to have been a series of bandaid fixes on this thing, who knows how much more it will cost over the next few years, and I plan on being in this house long term. In talking with another hvac repair man, he mentioned that a total of 10 tons of heat pump for the entire house is huge. The house was build in 2002, seems very well insulated, double paned windows, 2x6 exterior framing, well insulated, brick façade all around. Upstair is 2000 sq ft, first floor is the same, basement is ducted, but unfinished and is 2000 sq feet as well. The professional that I was talking to estimated that the heat pumps require 600 amps to run? Not sure if this is high or low, based on his tone, I guess that is pretty high. The basement is below ground on two sides.

Again, appreciate the comments/advice/suggestions. If I am going to replace this unit I would like to make sure I have it done right... making sure the unit is properly sized for the house etc.

Thanks
Andrew.

[andrewoto]

Sorry for rambling, but the intended question there was, can anyone recommend how to properly size a house for a heat pump?

Thanks

[MarkwithaK]

$400.00 may be a bit steep but is that JUST for disposal or does that include labor as well? As far as you being able to determine if your compressor needs to be replaced, unless you have a very specific set of skills and tools you won't be able to tell on your own.

[EPMiller]

A good installer will do the design work for you. If you knew the right questions to ask and were willing to do a bunch of research, you could come up with a ballpark answer by hunting on the internet, but leave it to a competent installer to make the final decisions.

[MarkwithaK]

When you bring in your contractor ask him if he intends to do a manual j on your house. That will be about the best way to go as far as sizing it correctly.

[KISS]

Where did this 600 Amps come from? A house usually has 200A service, sometimes 400A and rarely 3 phase.

[MarkwithaK]

Where did this 600 Amps come from? A house usually has 200A service, sometimes 400A and rarely 3 phase.

Good catch! 600 amps is way too high. The LRA wouldn't even be that high!

[andrewoto]

I think the thought process went like this... each outside unit takes 45 amps, the 6 heat strips of the auxiliary system will pull a total of 30kw and therefore draw about 200 amps. The total being 500 amps, and household service is either 2, 4 or 600, the HVAC is then pulling through what must be a 600A breaker. I don't truly understand this or really understand the implications. Open for comments... Any comments/advice on getting a carrier heat pump? With puron (r410) as the refrigerant? That's what the new company is trying to sell me.

[MarkwithaK]

That electrical info just doesn't make any sense to me. 45 amps per compressor seems way too high.

I would fully suggest the R-410. With the out-phasing of R-22 it will become fairly expensive after the dead line.

[cornerstonehvac]

Get a reputable company in and have them do a Manual J load for the house. It is the only way to properly size one. Any one can walk in and say" yeah I think 10 tons aught to do it, here's a price" 600 amps!! Is your repairman on crack?