can i use a different brand heat pump then the air handler?

[joe55555]

About 2 years ago I had a armstrong heat pump and air handler installed and have nothing but issues with the heat pump. It has been replaced over 5 times and still i have issues with it being extremely loud and not running correctly. I might even have to take legal action because of the problems.

My questions is if i have a new company install a different brand heat pump would the air handler have to be replaced also or could it work with the one they put in 2 years ago. The current air handler is a model: EFV16CCP-1A and the heat pump is a model 4shp18lt. From what i can tell the air handler has no issues and all the problems is sourcing from the heat pump.
Thanks for any insite.

[fixitguy]

proper matchup for maximum efficiency is the first issue. The freon cant tell the brand
of the machine.. Something strange going on there, what was the types of failures.

[joe55555]

First i was told there was an issue with the scrow compressor because it would just lock up when going to stage 2 and they had to remanufacture a part. then after they said they had that down the unit would make a really loud noise whenever it would turn on and go into defrost and it was so loud it would wake me up at night. They tried different settings for delay o nthe defrost board but it was still just to loud. Thats the bulk of my issues, the last unit they installed was a 3 ton heat pump even though it is way to large for my house and my original invoice was for a 2 ton unit. Also the unit was so large they installed it over my proberty line so it will need to be replaced with a smaller size unit.

[VTP99]

First i was told there was an issue with the scrow compressor because it would just lock up when going to stage 2 and they had to remanufacture a part. then after they said they had that down the unit would make a really loud noise whenever it would turn on and go into defrost and it was so loud it would wake me up at night. They tried different settings for delay o nthe defrost board but it was still just to loud. Thats the bulk of my issues, the last unit they installed was a 3 ton heat pump even though it is way to large for my house and my original invoice was for a 2 ton unit. Also the unit was so large they installed it over my proberty line so it will need to be replaced with a smaller size unit.

Start by getting a real contractor over there.
Also what are the last numbers on that model number.

[ga-hvac-tech]

My

As noted above, get a real contractor out there that knows what they are doing. Anyone can nail a nail into a board... but it takes a craftsperson to build cabinets. With HVAC systems, there is a lot to know and understand before one can do the work properly. Without that knowledge (from training and experience), most systems that 'work' are more luck than skill.

[beenthere]

Sounds like your problems are more contractor related then equipment caused.


If you want a new outdoor unit, that has a warranty, then you'll need a new indoor unit. And yes, some of the noise could be caused by the indoor unit, even though the noise is outside.

[joe55555]

I agree that it seems like these contractors dont know what there doing. I had 2 different ones, the first was the original one i hired and the second was the one the manufacturer hired because they admitted there was a hardware issue so they hired them to replace it the last time and they were the ones that installed it over the proberty line and they wont return my calls now. I live in pa outside of philadelphia near pottstown or reading. How do i go about finding a new contractor that is good and is authorized by the manufacturer?

Thanks

[ga-hvac-tech]

I agree that it seems like these contractors dont know what there doing. I had 2 different ones, the first was the original one i hired and the second was the one the manufacturer hired because they admitted there was a hardware issue so they hired them to replace it the last time and they were the ones that installed it over the proberty line and they wont return my calls now. I live in pa outside of philadelphia near pottstown or reading. How do i go about finding a new contractor that is good and is authorized by the manufacturer?

Thanks

By posting your location here, you just answered your question...

If one of the regulars is interested in your needs, they will come along ans say so.

[beenthere]

Call the local Armstrong distributor.

[joe55555]

Sorry about that, the full model number for the current heat pump is: 4SHP18LT136P-1 which is a 3-ton 18 seer i believe and is way to big for where its mounted and the size of my house.

Start by getting a real contractor over there.
Also what are the last numbers on that model number.

[BaldLoonie]

In this case, you can. You must get a matching coil however. You won't get an AHRI rating that includes the air handler though so no tax credit.

The entire heat pump has been replaced 5 times?

[joe55555]

From what i understand my local distributor is the ones that sent out the last contractor that allied air paid for.

Call the local Armstrong distributor.

[joe55555]

yes, i originally had a 17 seer 2 ton unit that had a problem with the sroll compressor, they replaced it 3 times then relized it was a part issue. After that they put a smaller 15 seer unit in for me to use while the redid the part. i actually liked this unit better because it was smaller but still made loud noises going in and out of defrost. then when they said they had the part correct they replaced the 15 seer with a 18 seer 3 ton unit, which was the last time they were here and this unit is by far the loudest

In this case, you can. You must get a matching coil however. You won't get an AHRI rating that includes the air handler though so no tax credit.

The entire heat pump has been replaced 5 times?