Heat Pump Question?

Question

The other night I was awakened by a clanking/flapping noise from my heat pump (all electric).It was 3 AM, so I just shut it off to stop the noise plus avoid any further damage.I called an HVAC place in the morning and they came out.Guy diagnosed it as being the compressor being shot (basically on it's last legs).He said I can make it through the winter by using emergency heat.Yes, I know it'll cost more to run and he said it would too, but said it's really not THAT much more.He said a new compressor would be aprox $1500.But since my heat pump unit as a whole is 20-25+ years old, it might be a bad idea to put a new compressor in a unit so old that something else just might go in the near future.So, two questions.By running emergency heat through the winter, will the 'coils' or 'heating strips' burn out over time?How long?Is it safe to do this for the rest of winter?And 2, how much does a new heat pump cost?He quoted me aprox $5200 installed.My place is only 750-800 SqFt.Is $5200 legit?

Thanks for the response. I keep my heat at around 62 degrees. I'm always hot, so I hardly use the heat anyway. My therostat has an option to keep it on Emergency Heat. So, there is a setting for Heat, Emergency Heat and Heat Recovery. He said to keep it on Emergency Heat. This totally stopped the noise, so he knew it was the compressor. And when we turned on the A/C, the rumble noise started again. So, the rumble noise stopped when on Emergency Heat. We could also hear it directly in the unit itself. I know come spring/summer, he said I'll basically be without AC or will have to put up with the noise until it just gives out and dies. That's why I'm just hoping to survive this winter and then get a full new unit. I have about ZERO funds right now to put a new unit in at present. So, I'm just hoping to make it through winter. He says I will. I'd imagine if he had any doubt, he'd try and sell me on a new unit today.

Thanks ControlFreak. Any idea how much more a month I'd pay for using emergency heat? Right now, my electric bill (and my whole place is electric) is around 65-70 bucks a month. Am I looking at something like 70-80 or more significant a jump like 90-100+? Thanks again.

Answer 1

He is telling you the truth. While anything is possible your unit will very likely make it through the winter on emergency heat. No way you should but a new compressor in a unit that is that old. That is actually a very good price if you live in California. I know other areas are cheaper. BEWARE of looking up equipment prices in a catalog like Granger. There is usually a ton of other parts they do not include and the charging of the system needs to be done by some one who is certified to handle refrigerant. HVAC Techs do a lot of training so they charge for their time accordingly. I promise you most HVAC Contractors are not getting rich. In fact most go broke.

Answer 2

Using emergency heat for that long will defineatly spin your meter. No telling how long the coils will last. It would depend on vibration, past moisture in the unit, and how old they are. I'm wondering how your gonna run it without the compressor trying to kick in. That clanking noise can also be generated from the external fan hitting the exhaust screen or someother edge of the case.

Your small area to to heat/cool would require about a 2 ton.

For price comparison you can go to Graingers web page and have a look: http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg/productIndex.shtml?L2=Packaged&operator=prodIndexRefinementSearch&originalValue=heat+pump&L1=Heat+Pumps%2C

Answer 3

I have a new heat pump system. Dealer installed an upflow system and I needed a downflow system. He changed it to downflow by turning the coil over. When the temperature is below 30 degrees outside the thing runs constantly even though the set point on thermometer is correct. What is the problem that is causing it to never shut down after reaching the set point?

Answer 4

There is liquid under my heat pumps outdoor unit, is this something to worry about? It has not rained or snowed recently and of course this is not the run off from when the air conditioning is on. Let me know if I need a repairman.

Answer 5

well, i live in fla,and lastyear i replaced my A/C unit with a heatpump, i live in a 14x48 mobile home. my cost was $2700.00 installed with new duct work.
shop around to find the best cost, if you do it in the colder months,most will give you a discount, try it

Answer 6

Are the supply and return lines supposed to be wrapped together?