Replace compressor or buy new heat pump?

6 years ago

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Recently, the air flowing into the home was cold/lukewarm at best. The only time the air gets warm/hot was if AUX kicked in.

Contractor #1 indicated indoor and outdoor units were fine. He diagnosed the issue as slightly low refrigerant and charged it up based on my heat pump's charging chart. Paid about $300 and indoor air was slightly warmer. I got in writing that contractor will credit us the if the issue persists or if it's something else.

The next day, I noticed cold air was blowing through the vents again and the outdoor unit was not running. I did some basic troubleshooting courtesy of Google and YouTube. Discovered circuit breaker was tripped and I might have a bad compressor.

I have 2 proposals so far. Both contractors confirmed bad compressor and that it's still under warranty.

Contractor #1 (same as above)
* 1st option is to replace the compressor, filter, clean lines, and new refrigerant for $1500 ($1800 estimate - $300 credit). Includes 1 year manufacturer parts warranty.
* 2nd option is to replace the outdoor unit with a Carrier 25HCE436 for $2800 ($3100 estimate - $300 credit). Includes 10 year manufacturer warranty.
* Also indicated if they discover TXV is bad, it will be another $600 to replace/fix it.

Contractor #2
* 1st option is to replace the compressor, filter, clean lines, and new refrigerant for $1570. Includes 1 year manufacturer parts warranty and 1 year contractor's labor warranty.
* 2nd option is to replace the outdoor unit with a Carrier Sentry CH14NB03600G for $3690. Includes 10 year manufacturer warranty and 2 year contractor's labor warranty.

Both heat pumps appear to have the same exact specs except the Carrier Sentry is for new construction. Not sure if this matters or if there are any other differences.

I live in the suburbs about 40 min north of Philadelphia. My current system is about 8-9 years old with a 10 year manufacturer's warranty and uses 410A refrigerant. Outdoor heat pump unit is a Bryant 215BNA036-A and the indoor unit is a Bryant FB4CNF042 with an external TXV. Both units were installed at same time.

Should I just 1) replace the compressor, 2) buy a new outdoor unit, or 3) buy new outdoor unit and indoor air handler?

Featured Answer

sktn77a

6 years ago

They should check the TXV first, if they think that could be bad, before replacing anything outside.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (9)

D T
Original Author
6 years ago
Contractor #1 told me he can't check TXV until system is back up and running. Can this be checked without the heat running?

Given the compressor is bad, wouldn't that still need to be replaced at the very least?
Related Professionals
Pensacola General Contractors · Vicksburg General Contractors · Austin General Contractors · Longview General Contractors · Waterbury General Contractors · Pocatello General Contractors · Magog General Contractors · Starkville Home Remodeling · Superior Home Remodeling · Mesquite Home Remodeling · Yakima Home Remodeling · Danville Bathroom Remodelers · Laconia Bathroom Remodelers · Buffalo Bathroom Remodelers · Glenwood Springs Bathroom Remodelers
tigerdunes
6 years ago
So you are getting a replacement compressor covered by the 10 yr warranty? You are on borderline as far as a repair versus new. It’s important that if you replace outside HP condenser that it is a match to indoor air handler. I would stay away from the builder grade Sentry condenser. Ask contractor #1 for price on complete new system. $600 for new TXV seems high.

TD
sktn77a
6 years ago
"Contractor #1 told me he can't check TXV until system is back up and running."

Well, he should have checked it when he did the repair the first time. He can charge the system, get it running, check the TXV, and then evacuate the system and recover his refrigerant. If the TXV is bad he can replace it, If it's good, then replace the compressor or condenser - your choice. But you need a proper diagnosis before throwing thousands of dollars at the problem.
PRO
Austin Air Companie
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Well, he should have checked it when he did the repair the first time.

Like something couldn't have happened to it since the compressor likely shorted to ground? You only know what you know, the rest is guessing. But guessing and Monday morning Quarterbacking is so much FUN! (Don't quit your day job)

The TXV the tech is likely talking about is in the condenser itself most likely as this is a heat pump.

The other TXV is on the indoor coil used during cooling mode only.

If the TXV on the condenser is shot, then that requires you to pull out all the refrigerant again.

Put that refrigerant in a tank and reuse it they say.... If you're stupid and like changing compressors all the time go for it... that's likely the reason you have a bad compressor in the first place. (foolish practices)

The refrigerant gets contaminated turns acidic and viola you have a repairman's dream of repeatable repairs the customer pays for. Usually this takes about a year to complete just outside any labor warranty.

With that said, it is 'very' uncommon for a compressor to fail 'in warranty' period. If things aren't done properly this will keep occurring. (In fact it's fairly uncommon for a compressor to fail *OUTSIDE* of warranty period... if you're a AC Repair Specialist like me --- because I am paid to fix it. Now find and tweak your definition of 'fix') Sure anything can happen. I've had repairs to older systems where the compressor lasted an additional day, month etc. So anything can happen. But when you follow 'proper' procedures -- failure is much less likely. OH BUT I WANT THE CHEAP FIX?... I can't help you with that, I would have to lower my standards.

New condenser only not done properly - same result.

New system (properly matched) not done properly - same result.

So what does 'Done Properly' mean? That is the $1500 question.

Clearly what you got the first time, likely was not proper. Choose Bryant they said, it's the sister company of Carrier with cheaper prices and the equipment is the same. LOL.

Now they tell you that if you go with replacement you need to change out the air handler again too? What's the purpose of the part warranty?

I service the Katy, Texas area.
sktn77a
6 years ago
Well, my point was that I doubt it is the TXV. As you know, the system must be properly charged for the TXV to operate correctly. I suspect he just has a leak. The first "tech" didn't strike me as one I would put too much reliance on "charged it up based on my heat pump's charging chart". To check a TXV correctly, the system needs to be charge using the superheat.

In any event, again, my point was to get the problem properly diagnosed before throwing thousands of dollars at it.
PRO
Austin Air Companie
6 years ago
LOL.

sktn77a - keep posting... you want to know why I say that?

YOU KEEP ME IN BUSINESS.
sktn77a
6 years ago
That's an insightful post. If you don't have anything better to post, I suggest you don't bother.
PRO
Austin Air Companie
6 years ago
sktn77a, I am in business to do it for you. Not teach you how to do it.

Trade schools will teach you how to a degree or two for $money$.

So posting misinformation is an insightful post?

Sounds like the title of a movie:

'Misadventures of Compressor Knocks & Phosgene Gas'

I know how the movie ends, it's not pretty.