[questionerneark]

I have a 16 year old Goodman unit that is working again now after some freon replacement. It has had 3 new compressors and a new heat exchanger in the time I have owned the house (2002). Should I bite the bullet and buy a new one and if so it seems that this is not a very good longevity so maybe I should try Trane?

[thermalmedics]

Wow,


Got to say and this happens a lot and the question is... Why 3 compressors Is anyone getting to the root of the problem, because there is one in there!

Past the 15 year point and with the cost of r-22 basically doubling you might be better off going new when it dies again. Goodman has come along way since the days your unit was built. We put a lot of them in now and the quality has come up big time. 10 yr warranty on parts and lifetime compressor on 16 SEER and up, I think. Seriously not a plug but worth a look I think.

My opinion, but Trane and Lennox is a little steep for what you get. They are great products though.

Sorry to hear about all your troubles.

I went to a Copeland compressor class put on by them and the rep basically ripped us all a new one for condemming compressors that are good and/or not working to find the root cause of these problems. It was an eye opener. He said 50% of the compressors that came back were operational. Also a ton of guys charging units with the 'beer can' method... go figure

[wmproop]

thermalmedics, what are you calling the beer can method,, it probably is a fifferant name where I come from

[questionerneark]

I Googled this definition-

Over the years many HVAC contractors have invoked shortcuts due to expediency, ignorance, or apathy.
One widely used shortcut is the "beer can cold" method to charging a system. This involves dumping refrigerant into the system until the suction line becomes as cold as a good cold can of beer and presto, you're done.

And thanks reading/responding too.

I remember the tech last year said something about a bent coil or bent something that would be making the pressure go up when the temps go up again and that he thought it would "burn out" again when that did happen. I know there was something wrong last year because it was a sudden failure and you could smell an oily odor around the unit outside. I didn't mention that these replacements were done by a home warranty company so I am sure they were just looking for the cheapest way out.

Now today the service tech said it was only about 1 pound low but that could be enough to make it not cool effectively. I was able to get a 17 degree change in temp at the vent and return which he said was pretty good for an old system. Now it wasn't under a heavy load as you mentioned on your website but it did drop the temp in the house 4 degrees quickly.

While I have your attention, if I choose replacement this year, would you recommend a heat pump with gas furnace back up package unit or just the gas pkg unit. Old house, somewhat leaky but not too bad, probably minimal insulation under the foam board applied under the siding, good windows, does get in the teens and 20 with some frequency here, north east Arkansas. Modest electric cost compared to some other places I know about.

[thermalmedics]

Do you still have the home warranty by chance?


Man I would love to give you some insight there but I can only speak from a heat pump perspective. I got to be honest and that is my shortcoming - I learned the trade and work in PHX. We have so little gas I would be out of line making any comment on it.

All the other gas guys out there should chime in.

[questionerneark]

Yes I still have the warranty in effect and it is about time to renew it. I was strongly considering not renewing and just applying that amount to a new system. The serviceman who took care of the system previously would not do the work last year for the warranty company's fee. I had to use their contractor- who has had issues of poor workmanship with a friend of mine. But he did OK by me and did tell me that it wasn't going to entirely fix the problems.

[thermalmedics]

Can you see what sort of a deal you can make to get a new unit through the home warranty company. I mean you have a good argument, and it would be in their best interest as well. And lets be honest, that is all those ****bags care about...