Is this noise coming from my Heat Pump normal?

[vbxt]

Hi,

Is this start-up noise coming from my Rheem 13PJL30A01 heat pump normal? It makes the same noise is heat or cool mode.

Here is a link to a Youtube video.

Thanks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkeTik1sU5E

[beachtech]

How old is the unit?

[vbxt]

It's a few months old.

[Gross]

some what normal. having a Hard start kit would help the system noise and life...Youre hearing the compressor trying to overcome inertia

[beachtech]

Scroll compressors do make that noise on start up.

I'd have the installing contractor come out and give everything a once over to make sure

[mlc1955]

thats pretty standard, a hard start kit may reduce it some. some of the higher efficiency units come with an insulated blanket around the compressor which helps to dampin the noise. you check to see if rheem can supply a blanket or you might be able to build something. good luck!

[dijit]

Your heat pump barks?

[timebuilder]

YES. It IS normal.

NO, a start kit will not change this. The sound is the scrolls beginning to turn. It is not so much a matter of inertia, as it is a matter of the scrolls loading up and moving to the position they will hold under load.

No reason for concern.

[timebuilder]

thats pretty standard, a hard start kit may reduce it some. some of the higher efficiency units come with an insulated blanket around the compressor which helps to dampin the noise. you check to see if rheem can supply a blanket or you might be able to build something. good luck!

The last thing I would do is advise a home owner to get into the condensing unit and try and wrap a compressor. This raises issues of dangerous voltages and spinning fan blades.

Will you or I be there to make sure such a person is safe while doing that?

Nope.

For that reason, a pro could install a blanket on it, but I don't believe one is needed.

[tinknocker service tech]

never heard a scroll compressor bard before
it sounded normal you could ask you contractor about a sound blanket on the compressor
mat be a few bucks more but will make a big differance

[BaldLoonie]

Sounds normal to me too.

In an area that doesn't go below freezing?

[Gross]

That is breaking inertia...

[beachtech]

never heard a scroll compressor bard before

some of the newer rheem/ruud heat pumps don't use a contactor...

but this is a discussion for a different area.


and yes, a compressor blanket can make a difference.

also, if there aren't vibration isolating pads under the condenser, they can aid in noise reduction as well.

[jeremyhall.tech.sc]

to the op,

a scroll compressor is much like a motor it has a short period of "wear in" the two scrolls will begin to wear and quiet down some... is the air handler in the attic?

how far is the air handler from the compressor/

did this just start or is it seemingly getting quieter?

[vbxt]

The unit is only about 6 feet from the air handler. I have not noticed it getting quieter, the sound has been consistent.

[timebuilder]

The unit is only about 6 feet from the air handler. I have not noticed it getting quieter, the sound has been consistent.

I have seen 10 year old scrolls that still sound exactly like yours.

Forget about it. Nothing is wrong.

[kb3ca]

The following is just my opinion and should not be construed as professional advice: The metallic sound you hear is the spirals making initial contact upon starting and is considered normal by the scroll manufacturers. A hard-start kit might reduce the duration of the noise by a fraction of a second but you won't notice the improvement. A sound blanket is mostly ineffective against this metallic sound because of it's high frequency component and decibel level. I've heard that same noise in many scrolls. The start-up noise is just the "nature of the beast". Your unit is fine.

[vbxt]

Thanks for all the replies. I feel much better about my heat pump now.

[John Culpepper]

Sounds pretty healthy to me. Just don't let the dog pee on it.

[beeninyourshoes]

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