Does this look right / New Trane install

[dwm]

I just had a new Trane heat pump and air handler installed and was very happy with the contractor I chose. I don't know if this is anything to be concerned about, and if it is, based on my positive experience with the contractor so far, I am certain they will correct it no questions asked.

All comments will be greatly apreciated.

My concern is with connection between the air handler and the clean effects filter. It appears that the body/frame of the air handler is bowed in creating a gap where the air handler meests the filter. There is a gasket and the gap seems sealed, but I hear a very slight whistling sound coming from the unit although I cannot isolate it to this location. The contractor also drilled a hole in the face plate in what I think was an attempt to pull it straight (would there be another reason for drilling a hole in this location?). The drill hole is now covered by the black puddy you see in the pictures.

Below are some pictures, any comments will be greatly apreciated.

One other item concerns the lineset. I live in an older home and there was a PVC chase pipe for the existing lineset. It turned out not to be a chase pipe at all, it was just a 6 inch long piece of pipe stubbed out through the foundation. After removing the old unit and cutting the old lines, this was discovered. They had to jack hammer through the floor, weld the new lineset onto the old one and pull it through. As a result, they were not able to insulate the lineset running under my foundation. How big a deal is this? I live in Florida so there is no chance of it freezing.
http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/3600/l1040792ll0.jpg
http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/8550/l1040793qc5.jpg
http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/4508/l1040794ui7.jpg
http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/7966/l1040795vy4.jpg

[coolguysfl]

ALL installations in Florida are required to be permitted & inspected by the local building dept.

Has the job been inspected?

In looking at the views you provided, I'd have to ask where the P/Trap is.

On the underground insulation -- don't worry about it, after the lines are down there for a period of time they become so saturated with ground water that they loose any insulation quality that the armaflex would have provided, as long as we're not talking 100+' you'll be fine.

[dwm]

Thanks for the reply. The job has not been inspected yet. What is a p trap and where should it be? One other question, you said the armor flex will loose it's effectiveness after being underground for a while. We also moved the outside unit and have a 35ft run where the lineset was buried (with armorflex) but not inside conduit. Total underground run is probably 60ft. 30ft under the house with no armorflex and 35ft underground with armorflex. Any issues with this?

[mark beiser]

The part that is bowed in looks like its just the factory filter access cover that is bent. the actual rail that seals against the clean effects looks like it is straight.
The hole with the puddy on it looks like they drilled it there for checking RA temperature and/or static pressures. I usually drill a hole there too.
I would recommend be sealed up with tape or caulk to prevent air leaks.

Someone mentioned a trap. There really isn't room for one in there above the return platform, so if there is one, it is below the platform, wich is how I would have done it in a closet like that. Nice that they have a float switch in that tee, the tee also works very well as an access for blowing out the drain line.

As for the lineset, having more than a few feet buried is usually not a good thing for the health of the equipment. If there is access into the attic, it would be much better to run it up and through the attic, then come out and down the wall to the outdoor unit.

[4l530]

Just curious, is this a slab house, I take it? You know, built on a solid concrete slab?
That gap ought to be sealed. It is pulling in unfiltered air.
I suspect they may have drilled the hole there that you mentioned to check the air temperature or pressure coming into the unit.
A P trap is put in there to trap the P and it goes where it belongs. Ask your contractor about it.

[BaldLoonie]

If this chase can fill up with water, there could be some problems with the lines down there, especially with the gas line uninsulated. Maybe one of the more technical types can address but heat pump manuals usually say don't expose the lines to cold water in a chase. Hot gas leaving the compressor could give off all the heat in the slab leaving cool liquid hitting the indoor coil in heat mode.

[coolguysfl]

Underground line sets & high water table -- welcome to Florida, thats just how it is