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Home > Archive > Alternative Power sources > May 2007 > Trane heat pump Compressor failure at 7 3/4 years?
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Trane heat pump Compressor failure at 7 3/4 years?
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| Our heap pump has stopped working. The air handler works fine, the
outside unit stopped working as the circuit breaker on the house panel
tripped and will not reset. This was a new installation in 8/1999.
Service tech says it is the compressor that has failed as indicated by
a "Compressor shorted to ground" failure write up, requiring a new
compressor.
He explained that 'some new federal mandates' require that the cure
would be much more expensive that it would have been say, 4-5 years
ago and proceeded to state why the 'new fed rerquirements' would
complicate the repair. It was a 10 Seer Trane XL1000 unit.
I am wondering if anyone has any additional info or knows of some
questions I might ask...such as WHY the unit failed (he couldnt really
say why, stated maybe elec co. brownouts).
Thanks to anyone who might be able to help,
Brian
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| Neon John 2007-05-24, 9:25 am |
| On 24 May 2007 04:06:17 -0700, brian <mjb.001@gmail.com> wrote:
>Our heap pump has stopped working. The air handler works fine, the
>outside unit stopped working as the circuit breaker on the house panel
>tripped and will not reset. This was a new installation in 8/1999.
>Service tech says it is the compressor that has failed as indicated by
>a "Compressor shorted to ground" failure write up, requiring a new
>compressor.
>
>He explained that 'some new federal mandates' require that the cure
>would be much more expensive that it would have been say, 4-5 years
>ago and proceeded to state why the 'new fed rerquirements' would
>complicate the repair. It was a 10 Seer Trane XL1000 unit.
Typical ignorant and perhaps crooked freon mechanic! Sounds like he's setting you up
for a scalping. There are no "new federal mandates". The only thing different from
years ago is that the refrigerant has to be recovered and recycled. BFD, we've been
doing that for a decade or more.
The only significant recent event is the rise in the price of R22. The wholesale
price went up a buck fifty a pound last week (almost double). This is the run-up to
the "phaseout" in a few years. R12 did the same thing.
Anyway, time to find a new "technician". Lots of luck.
>
>I am wondering if anyone has any additional info or knows of some
>questions I might ask...such as WHY the unit failed (he couldnt really
>say why, stated maybe elec co. brownouts).
The general category of "shit happens" most likely. A line voltage surge, a
lightning surge or simply that its time was up. I used to have a contract with an
insurance company to do failure analysis on failed compressors. Cut the can open and
examine the internals to see what failed. I could identify the failure (usually
insulation puncture on the motor winding) but there was no way to determine the root
cause. I suspect lightning but have no proof. I do recommend a whole house surge
suppressor. About $60 from Home Depot.
John
---
John De Armond
See my website for my current email address
http://www.neon-john.com
Cleveland, Occupied TN
Some people are only alive because it is illegal to kill.
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| Chris Hill 2007-05-24, 1:25 pm |
| On 24 May 2007 04:06:17 -0700, brian <mjb.001@gmail.com> wrote:
>Our heap pump has stopped working. The air handler works fine, the
>outside unit stopped working as the circuit breaker on the house panel
>tripped and will not reset. This was a new installation in 8/1999.
>Service tech says it is the compressor that has failed as indicated by
>a "Compressor shorted to ground" failure write up, requiring a new
>compressor.
>
>He explained that 'some new federal mandates' require that the cure
>would be much more expensive that it would have been say, 4-5 years
>ago and proceeded to state why the 'new fed rerquirements' would
>complicate the repair. It was a 10 Seer Trane XL1000 unit.
>
>I am wondering if anyone has any additional info or knows of some
>questions I might ask...such as WHY the unit failed (he couldnt really
>say why, stated maybe elec co. brownouts).
There is a new mandate for more efficient units. I'd find myself
another tech, it seems to me that somebody should be able to replace
the compressor without having to redo everything.
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| William Dryden 2007-05-25, 3:25 am |
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"brian" <mjb.001@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1180004777.504778.229460@p77g2000hsh.googlegroups.com...
> Our heap pump has stopped working. The air handler works fine, the
> outside unit stopped working as the circuit breaker on the house panel
> tripped and will not reset. This was a new installation in 8/1999.
> Service tech says it is the compressor that has failed as indicated by
> a "Compressor shorted to ground" failure write up, requiring a new
> compressor.
>
> He explained that 'some new federal mandates' require that the cure
> would be much more expensive that it would have been say, 4-5 years
> ago and proceeded to state why the 'new fed rerquirements' would
> complicate the repair. It was a 10 Seer Trane XL1000 unit.
>
> I am wondering if anyone has any additional info or knows of some
> questions I might ask...such as WHY the unit failed (he couldnt really
> say why, stated maybe elec co. brownouts).
>
>
> Thanks to anyone who might be able to help,
>
> Brian
>
Check your warranty. Mine was ten years, and they replaced the compressor
free after 8 3/4 years.
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| Neon John wrote:
> I do recommend a whole house surge
> suppressor. About $60 from Home Depot.
tell a little more on this item, does it matter which type and is it something I would
install myself after the power company meter but before my mains enter the breaker box
in garage?
in case it's important to note, I am in the process or replacing my 150amp main switch
and breaker box/panel in garage to a new 200amp main switch outside with a few
breakers relocated from garage breaker to outside box and replacing inside breaker box
(square-D) with a new GE breaker box/panel
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| Neon John 2007-05-25, 1:25 pm |
| The Home Depot unit is potted in a standard waterproof junction box with 4 wires
coming out. One for each hot leg, one for the neutral and one for ground. A good
ground, preferably several ground rods separated by a few feet.
Yes, you can install it yourself. The two hot leads go under the screws of the
largest breaker in the box (so that surges won't trip the breaker and render the
gadget useless). The white wire goes to the neutral strip. The green wire goes out
of the box to a good ground. My breaker panel has enough room for the thing to sit
in the bottom.
John
On Fri, 25 May 2007 16:32:57 +0300, "Nate" <nate@woot.gs> wrote:
>Neon John wrote:
>
>tell a little more on this item, does it matter which type and is it something I would
>install myself after the power company meter but before my mains enter the breaker box
>in garage?
>
>in case it's important to note, I am in the process or replacing my 150amp main switch
>and breaker box/panel in garage to a new 200amp main switch outside with a few
>breakers relocated from garage breaker to outside box and replacing inside breaker box
>(square-D) with a new GE breaker box/panel
---
John De Armond
See my website for my current email address
http://www.neon-john.com
Cleveland, Occupied TN
WARNING: Do not use this hair dryer in the shower!
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| Mike Payne 2007-05-25, 1:25 pm |
| the reason it will cost more is because they are no longer allowed to
install 10 seer units. Here in Florida the least you can now install is a
13 seer.
I'm not sure I would pay to have just the compressor replaced on a 8 year
unit. So I tend to agree with the service guy. I would install a complete
new compressor unit.
Unless it is still under waranty. You shoudl definitely check on that
first.
mike
"brian" <mjb.001@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1180004777.504778.229460@p77g2000hsh.googlegroups.com...
> Our heap pump has stopped working. The air handler works fine, the
> outside unit stopped working as the circuit breaker on the house panel
> tripped and will not reset. This was a new installation in 8/1999.
> Service tech says it is the compressor that has failed as indicated by
> a "Compressor shorted to ground" failure write up, requiring a new
> compressor.
>
> He explained that 'some new federal mandates' require that the cure
> would be much more expensive that it would have been say, 4-5 years
> ago and proceeded to state why the 'new fed rerquirements' would
> complicate the repair. It was a 10 Seer Trane XL1000 unit.
>
> I am wondering if anyone has any additional info or knows of some
> questions I might ask...such as WHY the unit failed (he couldnt really
> say why, stated maybe elec co. brownouts).
>
>
> Thanks to anyone who might be able to help,
>
> Brian
>
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| Went ahead an installed a new heat pump as second opinion and a few
calls convinced me the compressor was shot. Considered replacing
compressor ($1,500-$1'800) but was advised against it as there may
have been additional damage within the 'system' when it went down.
Fed mandate was that the 10 seer unit had to be replaced with a
minimum of a 13 seer unit. They simply don't manufacture 10 seer units
anymore. So now have a 13 seer unit but its limited by a 10 seer coil
in the air handler which is in the attic.
Bottom line:
1) If you really suspect the compressor is out, shop for a new unit
first, then get a service call done by the place you will most likely
buy the new unit from, that way at least your 75-100$ service charge
will be deducted from the total bill.
2) Get at least a 10 year warranty, not a 5 year.
The surge supressor idea sounds very interesting.
Thanks for everyone's feedback.
Went with 13 seer tempstar, 10 year scroll compressor warranty, 2 year
service labor, $2,850.
brian
On May 24, 7:06 am, brian <mjb....@gmail.com> wrote:
> Our heap pump has stopped working. The air handler works fine, the
> outside unit stopped working as the circuit breaker on the house panel
> tripped and will not reset. This was a new installation in 8/1999.
> Service tech says it is the compressor that has failed as indicated by
> a "Compressor shorted to ground" failure write up, requiring a new
> compressor.
>
> He explained that 'some new federal mandates' require that the cure
> would be much more expensive that it would have been say, 4-5 years
> ago and proceeded to state why the 'new fed rerquirements' would
> complicate the repair. It was a 10 Seer Trane XL1000 unit.
>
> I am wondering if anyone has any additional info or knows of some
> questions I might ask...such as WHY the unit failed (he couldnt really
> say why, stated maybe elec co. brownouts).
>
> Thanks to anyone who might be able to help,
>
> Brian
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