Rheem & GE heat pump wiring/component difference

[Denny1953]

A GE heat pump system was replaced with a Rheem Heat Pump. The GE air handler with electric resistance still remains with the original Honeywell heat pump stat. All functions of the GE system worked including Emergency heat prior to replacement of the GE heat pump with the Rheem Heat Pump (UPKA-024JAZ). The installer told the customer that Emergency heat will not function any longer after the new Rheem heat pump was installed.
What is the difference in components from the GE v.s. the Rheem that now the Emergency heat will not work. Or what is the Rheem unit missing for components to make the emergency heat work?:confused:

[m kilgore]

Why would they replace just the outdoor unit and leave a 25+ year old air handler in place. This is not a matched system and there is no way of knowing what SEER or capacity it will have now. I think they will have more problems down the road with heating.

There should be some way of wiring the emergency heat but I personally would need to be looking at it.

[ga-hvac-tech]

Probably a control (low voltage) wiring issue... But there is a good chance the two units are not compatible with each other... :eek:

You really need a qualified pro to sort this out.

And I agree, installing a new HP on an old AH is not a good idea. There are lots of tech reasons for this.

Think about it like this: Would you put the engine out of a, say, 1990 Honda in a, say, 2005 Toyota? I would not either... :)

[smittyii]

if the rheem dealer is legit, he knows exactly what should have been changed out with the condenser. ditto on the other posts...bad mis match.

[beenthere]

He doesn't know how to wire it up.

You may no longer have a warranty on your new outdoor unit.
Mismatch systems aren''t covered by most manufacturers warranty.

[machery]

If I remember correctly, the heaters on a GE system were staged through the outdoor unit. You just have to read the schematics and change a few connections to enable the heaters. But, to be correct, the whole system should have been changed out, unless they changed out the coil too, which is probably unlikely.

[smittyii]

not to mention the reversing valve actuates on heating with rheem/ruud.