Solenoid Value

[sneuberg]

My current HVAC system, which is going to be replaced, has a solenoid value in the liquid line. My contractor is telling that these are not required and they don't install them. There must have been some reason why there is one in my existing system. What are these for and what are the advanges of having one?

Note: My existing system is an R22 system and the proprosed system is R410A if that makes any difference.

[beshvac]

Depends on the system and installation instructions. For heatpumps with long linesets they are required with carrier/bryant/payne. either it's not necessary for the new "HVAC" or you found a contractor that throws installation requirements to the wind. :whistle:

[ga-hvac-tech]

Usually when a solenoid valve is mounted in the lineset of a residential system, it is in the smaller (liquid) line. The purpose is to hold part of the refrigerant charge from migrating back into the compressor.

Older systems with recip (piston) compressors have a serious problem trying to run with liquid refrigerant in them... while the new Scroll compressors (because of their design) usually do not get the liquid into the actual pumping area.

If the lineset is LONG, or goes up multiple floors... it may be a good idea to keep the solenoid valve.

Ask your contractor for a technical explanation. This could be one way to see how tech-savvy your contractor is... <grin>

[Mr Bill]

What GA said sometimes he has a clue :) I see you made it back home safe.

[BaldLoonie]

A few brands in the past, namely Bryant & Carrier, used solenoids to boost the SEER a bit. Found them on the TRA or 597 series 12 SEER A/Cs in the 90s.

[beenthere]

Nordyne did it for a while when they first started making 13 SEER units.

[ga-hvac-tech]

What GA said sometimes he has a clue :) I see you made it back home safe.

Hi Bill,

Yeah, I am back in GA... un-eventful flying. Was a fun trip, and enjoyed seeing you and the folks down there.

Believe it or not... Atlanta is warmer and more humid than Houston... well just a little. I doubt the more humid will last into the summer... however I am all for some HOT weather that lasts a LONG time this year. Need to make some coin this AC season.

[sneuberg]

The installation instructions for the proposed Rheem 14AJM030A01 do not say anything about a solenoid value so perhaps it's not required. I thought it made sense from an economic point of view. My line set is about 50 feet in my existing system and will still be about 35 feet in the new system. The waste of the liquid refrigerant peeing its way though the evaporator coil with no benefit bothered me a bit.

On the other hand I hate the thud it makes everytime my existing system starts. If such a device is only saving me a little money each year and is not required to protect the compressor, I could live without it. It's just one more thing that could fail.

Thanks for your responses