Noisy Rheem Heat Pump

[buldurdude]

Hello
I have a 3-month old Rheem heat pump at my house. It is a 2.5 ton, 15 SEER, with a 3-ton blower (?).
It ran fine on a/c for 2 months. The noise began last month when we turned the heat on. It sounds like the unit is starting up and it squeals and rattles extremely loudly for 5-10 seconds, sounding lke it's short 5 quarts of oil. Loud enough to wake up my spouse; loud enough for me to worry about bothering the neighbor on that side.
The serviceman callled and left me a message yesterday to fill me in on the service call he and the Rheem rep made here two weeks ago. He basically said he and the Rheem rep feel the unit is fine, the noise occurs when the unit auto-defrosts, and I just need to learn to live with it!
The only other thing is this: on 4-5 colder nights (20s) 2 weeks ago the unit ran continuously very loudly, loud like a lawnmower or a plane engine revving. It's been warmer at night the past two weeks, so I have not noticed this new noise.
I have not returned the serviceman's phone call yet, nor have I had a chance to tell him about the new noise.
Thanks.

[beenthere]

Could be a charge imbalance.

Call him and let him know about the new noise.

And that if you wanted a loud unit, you would have asked for a loud unit.

Some noise is unavoidable.

[Airmechanical]

The only other thing is this: on 4-5 colder nights (20s) 2 weeks ago the unit ran continuously very loudly, loud like a plane engine revving.

do you live near an airport:D

sorry i could not resist:o



.

[buldurdude]

QUOTE:do you live near an airport? :D

sorry i could not resist:o



Nope.

and you probably want to keep your day job.

[dano]

Usually when the dealer brings over a Rheem rep it's actually a rep from the distributor where they purchased the unit who really does not want to fix the problem just try to satisfy you. Check with the dealer and make sure they are from Rheem. If not just e-mail your complaint at Rheemac.com and you will probably get quick action. Also I agree that it sounds like a charge imbalance causing slugging when unit first starts up. Make sure they do a proper charge check including sub cooling and not just pressure chart check.I have installed crank case heaters on scroll compressors to quiet start up. Is this unit a RPNL030JAZ or RPNE030JAZ? They can also supply you with a compressor blanket if they determine that there is no problem at no charge I would hope.

[dano]

I just remembered we have had similar complaints and it turned out to be the fan blade.
The blade becomes loose at the hub. If there is any play at the hub it can cause a sound that some customers have explained it sounds like a helicopter or a plane taking off until it gets up to speed. This usually happens after a few months after install. Tell them to bring a new blade when they come back out. Also sometimes when blades are changed from the factory they might send you a 2-blade when you had a 3-blade or vise versa don't worry that's normal.

[dano]

Some of the RPNE or RPNL's still have a piston after the TXV which it's only purpose is to help the flow of refrigerant coming out of the TXV valve. Well we have had a one problem where the customer complained about a very load hammering sound during start up. I called Rheem they told me to replace the piston flow rater or just remove it. I ordered a new one and replaced it the sound never returned. The factory said if it does not seat completely it will hammer back and forth. I heard it it sounds like it's going to take off.

[buldurdude]

Thanks, dano.
I'll check on the model no. and whether the Rheem rep was in fact the distributor's employee.
I spoke with the service tech today. I mentioned the second noise problem, but he just repeated his litany that everything was OK and we just had to accept the noise which scroll compressors can have. I told him I was not satisfied and he was a little incredulous: "but I just told you the Rheem guy said the system is fine."
I told him that maybe we had the wrong Rheem guy or maybe he was the wrong person for me to be talking to at the dealer. He promised to consult with the Service Manager Monday and get back to me.

Nice roosterfish!

[dano]

Thanks, dano.
I'll check on the model no. and whether the Rheem rep was in fact the distributor's employee.
I spoke with the service tech today. I mentioned the second noise problem, but he just repeated his litany that everything was OK and we just had to accept the noise which scroll compressors can have. I told him I was not satisfied and he was a little incredulous: "but I just told you the Rheem guy said the system is fine."
I told him that maybe we had the wrong Rheem guy or maybe he was the wrong person for me to be talking to at the dealer. He promised to consult with the Service Manager Monday and get back to me.

Nice roosterfish!

Thanks...It was out of site!@!

[dano]

Thanks, dano.
I'll check on the model no. and whether the Rheem rep was in fact the distributor's employee.
I spoke with the service tech today. I mentioned the second noise problem, but he just repeated his litany that everything was OK and we just had to accept the noise which scroll compressors can have. I told him I was not satisfied and he was a little incredulous: "but I just told you the Rheem guy said the system is fine."
I told him that maybe we had the wrong Rheem guy or maybe he was the wrong person for me to be talking to at the dealer. He promised to consult with the Service Manager Monday and get back to me.

Nice roosterfish!

It can only be a RPN_ 30JAZ if it's a 2.5 ton 15 seer matched with a RHL-HM3617JA air handler.
That was a Rheem fishing trip in Costa Rica so I hope I can help.

[buldurdude]

The model is RQNM-A030JK

[Pascone10]

do you live near an airport:D

sorry i could not resist:o



.

lol was funny, i thought anyway!

[karsthuntr]

That is a 13 Seer package Heat Pump.


The 15 Seer split system that we all assumed you had is much quieter than the one you actually have.

The 15 Seer split system is 5db quieter than the 13 seer package you have. Yours has almost twice the sound level.

[buldurdude]

13. thanks
my bad
is the 15 twice as quiet through all phases, or is it not known to have a noisy defrost cycle?

[karsthuntr]

The 15 seer is rated at 71db and yours is rated at 76db. All units are louder during defrost. You get a woshing noise when the rv switches and the scroll comp. growls when it starts back up.

Generally the lowest eff. units are the nosiest, they get quieter the more efficient you get.

[buldurdude]

Quote:<<<yours is rated at 76db>>>

This is good to know. My system must be ~90-95 db at defrost.

[buldurdude]

I spoke with the serviceman Monday. He consulted with his manager and they believe a compressor blanket is the way to go, so it's on order.
As you suspected, the Rheem rep was in fact the distributor's employee.

[dano]

I spoke with the serviceman Monday. He consulted with his manager and they believe a compressor blanket is the way to go, so it's on order.
As you suspected, the Rheem rep was in fact the distributor's employee.

I hope that works out. This will help if it is in deed the Defrost cycle causing the noise or start up. If it continues to be a problem. Take more notes on when it happens as far as weather conditions and time of day and hopefully I can help out if needed.

[dano]

The model is RQNM-A030JK

Sorry I thought we were talking about a split system. This model indicates a package unit. 13 seer.

We have had issues with complaints on those units that it sounds like a helicopter when it starts up. You may want to get the new style fan blade for that unit also. The factory did make a change on the fan blade do to customer complaints concerning noise.

[docholiday]

Have you ever had a heat pump before?

[dano]

The condenser motor support grille on RQNJA package units is not strong enough and will cause noise especially in the heat mode when unit builds frost. Order the new replacement grille for motor and the noise goes away.