Is my heat pump BIG enough??

[1Newhomeowner]

We bought a new construction in South Carolina last May. The first time we turned the heat on for our heat pump, it blew a fuse. The hvac company replaced the fuse and the unit worked for awhile but then I noticed that our unit was making a lot of noise, running all the time and was icing up even when it was 40 degrees outside. The HVAC company came out a few times and then determined that it was low on coolant, they came out twice to add more before determining that it has a leak in the coils. We have been waiting for 3 weeks for new coils but am wondering if our unit is not large enough for our home.

The heat pump is a Tempstar N4H324ake100. From what I have been able to determine that is only 24,000 BTUH or 2 tons. Other homeowners with the same approx the same square footage and ceiling heights have N4H330akb300 (2.5 tons??). A smaller home approx. 1200 square foot, single floor, 8 foout ceiling has an N4h324akb200 (2 tons??) Our home is 2000 sq feet with 9 foot ceilings on the lower level and 8 fooot on the 2nd level.

I am totally frustrated. The HVAC company has been out 5 times already and nothing has changed. Is the unit being damaged by running low on coolant. Also the last time the company came out to put the "die pack" in they said that the unit had to be running but they could do it even if we were not home. Well, the furnance wasn't running because I had turned it off before I left for work and my husband didn't know I turned it off was the one who talked to them. Did that hurt the system??

[jimj]

Is my heat pump BIG enough??

1. No way to tell from here or there as it sounds as it has never run correctly.
2. I would NOT let someone put dye in my new system, no way!

[1Newhomeowner]

I guess my only recourse is to contact the builder.....

[khc95]

1. No way to tell from here or there as it sounds as it has never run correctly.
2. I would NOT let someone put dye in my new system, no way!

Curious....why not use the dye ???

[jimj]

I would for sure call the builder, in Arizona there is a 2 year workmanship warranty hopefully that is the case in your location.

[jimj]

Curious....why not use the dye ???

You mean other than it voids the compressor warranty?

[1Newhomeowner]

The dye VOIDS the warranty??!! So now I have no warranty on the crappy heat pump? Shouldn't the HVAC company have realized it, they are suppose to be the professionals!

[khc95]

You mean other than it voids the compressor warranty?

Really !! Is that cause the dye damages the compressor?????

[VTP99]

The dye VOIDS the warranty??!! So now I have no warranty on the crappy heat pump? Shouldn't the HVAC company have realized it, they are suppose to be the professionals!

You did not put the dye in your system so go back to who did. Hold them to the warranty.

[jimj]

Really !! Is that cause the dye damages the compressor?????

There are 2 things that belong in a system and Dye is not one of them. Trane allows one additive ( as I believe Copeland and all other manufactures do) and its Acid Away, other than that it is refrigerant and oil.

[VTP99]

Whats next stop leak ?

[jimj]

Whats next stop leak ?

LOL Well they do make a product that claims to do just that......never mind.

[1Newhomeowner]

We were planning on the angle that the unit is smaller than all others in the subdivision and see if the builder would replace it. Now we have another reason to demand a new unit. I hope it works!

The HVAC company determined from the dye pack that the coils needed to be replaced and are waiting on the part. We have been getting the run around from them every time we call tehy tell us they are having problems getting the part and it will be another week. This is the 3rd week....