"does having to replace a unit that often indicate some type of underlying [electrical] problem?"

Yes. Possibly electrical, more likely mechanical/design.

Can you post the repair work orders/invoices?

I’ve noticed heat pumps used more and more often in our area (NE), which is surprising to me because I’ve always thought of them as not being fully adequate for our weather. I thought they did better in the south.

There's multiple possibilities, most resulting from poor workmanship by installer. Can't rule out unscrupulous contractors selling new equipment when repair is possible.

What type of heat pump? is it a mini split? or what? Is it the same HVAC *licensed* contractor you have called every time?

What was the warranty terms of the unit you had installed?

What is the problem of the unit that is requiring replacement.

(note in some instances parts or pieces of the system may need to be replaced, this isn't considered replacement, but repair of a "part of the system" that has a problem in which replacement is the better fix. Typically covered by warranty of the system manufacturer. However warranty in this case; rarely means free. The warranty typically only covers the cost of the part only and no other costs.)

A basic question: are the replacements the same brand/type you currently have, installed by the same HVAC contractor each time?

We have a heat pump in our house. In the last 10 years we have had to replace it 3 times.

Are you saying you are now on the 4th heat pump in 10 years? That works out to doing a replacement once every 3 years. No that is not normal.

Has the installer said each time the heat pump can't be repaired and must be replaced.? Are these replacement covered by the manufacturer's warranty?

Posting to follow

HALLETT & Co.

"Posting to follow"

Huh???

I’m hoping op comes backs and comments so I posted nothing just so I’d be notified if they ever return.

The brand is rheem. Yes, they have had 3 and 4 year warranties. Between replacing each unit, small parts have gone out (such as the compassitor). No charge for those parts. However, for example, the current heat pump that went out Friday was under warranty until April. The compressor is bad. I would like to note that the company we use is a reputable company. I honestly do not think he would try to make a buck off of us. Also, we do live in south Mississippi where it is very hot and humid.

The installer said that a compressor cost nearly as much as a new unit and the comes with a warranty. This time we are getting a 10 year warranty

The internet may not be able to help you without knowing what work was preformed

Can you display invoices or work orders?

Rheem has 10 year parts warranties if you register them when purchased, 5 years if you don't (and have done for at least 15 years)

Something is very wrong there.

We had a heat pump that had some major part go bad every year for four or five years, until our installer finally convinced the manufacturer that it was a lemon. The replacement worked great, though. Replacing the whole pump three or four times seems outrageous.

Sounds like it could be an acidity issue from the beginning still plaguing the system. Have the tech test the refrigerant oil for acids with a little test kit they should have. If it shows acidity tell the tech to add a neutralizer to eliminate the acid.

The brand is rheem. Yes, they have had 3 and 4 year warranties. Between replacing each unit, small parts have gone out (such as the compassitor). No charge for those parts. However, for example, the current heat pump that went out Friday was under warranty until April. The compressor is bad. I would like to note that the company we use is a reputable company. I honestly do not think he would try to make a buck off of us. Also, we do live in south Mississippi where it is very hot and humid.

So what you say here Kari doesn't sound right. As others have already mentioned if the unit sold is just installed and not registered (model # and serial #) of the unit with the manufacturer the base manufacturer warranty is 5 year parts. This would include the compressor. If registered the part warranty extends to at least 10 years parts.

The only way a unit has 3 and 4 year warranty would be some deal around using used units or ??? something nefarious???

The cost of the compressor is certainly not cheap (outside of warranty parameters) under warranty there are typically freight / handling charges to handle the warranty terms. What makes the compressor on a heat pump more costly is the work getting it replaced (addition of driers if a burn out + clean up of that issue to "hopefully" prevent another burn out) + new virgin refrigerant. Depending on size of the unit and efficiency it could be 10lbs of refrigerant or upwards of 20 lbs in some cases. So cost of compressor + driers + refrigerant (all of it) + labor. A new unit the cost is primarily the new unit and much less labor to install it and very little if any additional refrigerant as the unit ships with refrigerant in it. Plus the new unit *if registered* comes with a new 10 year warranty minimum. Some units (higher efficiency) may have special warranty terms like life time compressor warranty and in some cases unit replacement should the compressor ever fail. Just realize these warranty terms don't necessarily mean free, there are always other charges that are not covered most of the time.

If the unit only has 5 year warranty, because it wasn't registered. The warranty compressor will only grant you warranty coverage to that 5 year point. In other words if you're 4 years into this unit the warranty of the new compressor would be 1 year. If you are months away, then only months left.

These MFG warranties only cover the actual part. They do not cover any other costs like labor, refrigerant, freight / handling , trouble shooting / diagnostic charges, maintenance etc.

Find the model # and the serial # of the unit both inside and out. These numbers are on the data tag of the equipment in question. It will have other information on that tag like refrigerant charge of the unit in ounces usually and amp ratings of the fan motor and compressor, size of the unit etc. (these numbers also provide when the unit was made from the manufacturer) so if the unit is older than what you think it should be? Somebody isn't being 100% with you.

Post the model # & Serial #'s here for all the equipment you have. I should be able to determine from that what you have. Each piece of equipment you have will have it's own model # / serial #

Because this is heat pump you likely have heat pump condenser & indoor air handler with electric strip heat for back up. (You could have gas furnace) if you have gas furnace as back up heat you will also have another model # serial # for the evaporator coil.

I service the Katy, Texas area.

@HALLETT & Co. - To Follow - You only need to select the Follow button at the top:

Well I’ll be, @shirlpp! I’ve been on this forum for years and years and I didn’t know that.