unethical repairman?

[jellin]

I am new to this forumn and by no means an expert in hvac. My conversations with the local "pro's" have left me confused and possibly baffled by B.S. Here is my situation. I have an Armstrong 2 1/2 ton, 10 seer heat pump (model # SHP10a30a-1b) that was installed new in '96. The windings in the compressor shorted out causing the breaker to trip and hince no more cool air. I live in south central Kansas by the way. A local "pro" wants to replace the outside unit with a Weatherking 2 1/2 ton, 13 seer unit (model # 13PJA30a01). I stressed the importance of the inside and outside units needing to be matched, and I was told that they would be. I didn't think it was possible to mix the seer ratings like this. Wouldn't that leave an undersized coil and lineset? I tried to contact Weatherking on the internet, but you have to be a distributer. The manufacturers warranty says 5 year limited, the "pro" says 1 year. In addition, the manufacturers warranty is VOID if the system is not matched properly or meet certain specifications. Unfortunately money is a big issue right now as I am trying to recover from a major back surgery. However, I do not want to throw money away on a "guesswork" system that will end up costing me a great deal more in the long run with multiple service calls and repair bills.
Any help or advise will be greatly appreciated!

thanx,

[gary_g]

Sounds like you are more informed than your "pro".

Anyway to replace just the compressor, and not the whole condenser?

Good luck.

[Mr Bill]

Sounds like you are more informed than your "pro".

Anyway to replace just the compressor, and not the whole condenser?

Good luck.

Replace compressor in an existing condenser thats suffered a burnout? that could be one of those good ideas that turns into a bad idea.

[Shophound]

Seems as if you're relying heavily on this one person's opinion of your system. Get at least two or three more separate bids and consider each before you make a decision.

[beenthere]

Get other contractor to give estimate.
You want a matching system.
I know you like this guys cheap price. But forget it, it will cost you more in the long run.

[jellin]

In the original post I was just guessing. thanx for verification. I live pretty far away from a major town (50+ miles). Honestly I didn't want to waste anyone's time and money to drive out and give bids with gas prices what they are. What would happen to the mis-matched system? Would the undersized coil and lineset be a big issue? Would the compressor burn up or leak from to high of pressure? Would the inside unit now be damaged somehow? Would the system be overworked? Would the heat Pump work perfectly for a hundred years? Would it work just long enough for the check to clear the bank?
thanx again people!

[gary_g]

I live pretty far away from a major town (50+ miles). Honestly I didn't want to waste anyone's time and money to drive out and give bids with gas prices what they are.

- Your current system needs to be inspected for a proper bid to be prepared. Don't worry about gas prices. You need more quotes.

What would happen to the mis-matched system? Would the undersized coil and lineset be a big issue? Would the compressor burn up or leak from to high of pressure? Would the inside unit now be damaged somehow? Would the system be overworked?

- You would get less than the original SEER and the original btu capacity. Heat pumps need a matching coil.
- Yes
- Yes, possibly (from refrigerant over-charge)
- Probably not
- Yes, overworked and inefficient.

Would the heat Pump work perfectly for a hundred years?

- NFW. A few years.

Would it work just long enough for the check to clear the bank?

- Not good if it did. As you stated, the condenser warranty will be void if installed in a mis-match.

From your original post, it sounds like you know what you need. Get 'er done.

[Twilly]

Twilli says thats no pro, thats a hacker

[gary_g]

Twilli says thats no pro, thats a hacker

Twilli used to be a hacker. Now Twilli a pro.

[beenthere]

It will cool, but not as good as it should, it may lock out the in heat mode, or cost you more to heat your house then the 10 SEER did.
You won't have a warranty on the compressor.

But you will know the guy that installed it by sight from 100 yards away, and think he is a member of your family.

[derbysr]

He probaly meant 1 Yr "waranty" for installation of that unit , 5 Yrs on the whole condenser .............

[derbysr]

13PJA
Limited Parts Warranty Information
Item Warranty Length
Compressor 5 years
Condenser Coil Leaks Caused
by factory defects 5 years
Any Other Part 5 years

[beenthere]

Those are limited part warranties. You still have to pay labor.
Refrigerant if its needed, and coincidental parts.