Secondly, the follow states that brazing is done. This is important to distinguish from soldering — heck an entire article can be written on proper brazing techniques. If at all possible use a single run of tubing to minimize joints. When pulling the old lines, the original install had elbows soldered not brazed at all corners. Strangely, the connections at the compressor and evaporator were properly brazed. The new line set was done as a single run, with the installer using a hand bender to form it the entire way, thus only requiring 4 joints.
My installer states that the resin from the soldered elbows may have contributed to an early burn out. Obviously, this was a check not made and the homeowner had to foot the rather outrageous bill. The extra minutes of the installers time to assist you with documenting them is insurance for them as much as it is for you. As a hint, using an infrared or any other non-contact thermometer is NOT the right way to do these tests.
That said, my home inspector when I was buying the place did a quick test with one and that got me a free new reversing valve and filter ultimately it lasted 4 more years after that service. I love looking at the pictures of the pro-follows!
I see that some of your pictures show the need for periodic cleaning and maintenance. Some questions. When the HVAC guy wants to add a new starting capacitor where none existed before, is it a worthwhile purchase?
Why is it that no one sells a set of pressure-temperature-voltage-flow gages that can be permanently installed in these systems to allow us to monitor their performance? And is it really worthwhile to reuse the high pressure lines — microscopic corrosion is not an issue? While I agree with the other posters that this is too much for a DIY homeowner, I enjoyed the article.
It was a good example of when I should not try to do the repair myself and call a professional. Between the lack of proper tools and knowledge, replacing a heat pump like this is clearly something I would not want to take on. Nice follow, Ethan. Keep up the good work! Do you use purple primer on the PVC connections? I have had good luck with the stuff, but from the pics it only looks like you used cement. Or maybe you are just better at hiding your work than I am.
There always seems to be a purple seam where the cement oozes out… advice? Is purple primer not necessary here? By far, one of the most informative and highest detailed write-ups about heat pump installation! Kudos to you guys for the great article. As stated before, this is definitely not a diy project. A few questions and concerns I have after looking at the pictures. When brazing the joints, did the installers purge the line with nitrogen?
Also, did they wrap the valves with wet rags while brazing? Those valves especially the schraeder core valves can be damaged and begin to leak if not protected. Name required. Mail will not be published required. Hi, we're Ethan, Jocie, Kim and Fred.
Over the last eight years we've documented hundreds of home improvement and DIY craft projects along with many tool and material reviews. There are three main types of heat pumps connected by ducts: air-to-air, water source, and geothermal. They collect heat from the air, water, or ground outside your home and concentrate it for use inside. The most common type of heat pump is the air-source heat pump , which transfers heat between your house and the outside air. High-efficiency heat pumps also dehumidify better than standard central air conditioners, resulting in less energy usage and more cooling comfort in summer months.
Air-source heat pumps have been used for many years in nearly all parts of the United States, but until recently they have not been used in areas that experienced extended periods of subfreezing temperatures.
However, in recent years, air-source heat pump technology has advanced so that it now offers a legitimate space heating alternative in colder regions. For homes without ducts, air-source heat pumps are also available in a ductless version called a mini-split heat pump. In addition, a special type of air-source heat pump called a "reverse cycle chiller" generates hot and cold water rather than air, allowing it to be used with radiant floor heating systems in heating mode. Geothermal ground-source or water-source heat pumps achieve higher efficiencies by transferring heat between your house and the ground or a nearby water source.
Although they cost more to install, geothermal heat pumps have low operating costs because they take advantage of relatively constant ground or water temperatures. Geothermal or ground source heat pumps have some major advantages. Whether a geothermal heat pump is appropriate for you will depend on the size of your lot, the subsoil, and the landscape.
Ground-source or water-source heat pumps can be used in more extreme climates than air-source heat pumps, and customer satisfaction with the systems is very high. A relatively new type of heat pump for residential systems is the absorption heat pump, also called a gas-fired heat pump.
Learn how they work to produce and deliver heat, and what types of heat pump systems are available, to help guide your HVAC installation choice. We also cover which homes are best suited for a heat pump system and heat pump costs. Furnaces burn fuel to heat the air around them, which is then circulated through the home. Unlike furnaces and boilers, heat pump systems do not create heat. Instead, they transfer heat from one area to another. Because they do not create heat, these systems use less energy than furnaces and boilers do.
In addition to heating, heat pump systems are also used to cool homes. They move heat out of the home to lower indoor temperatures. Heat pumps are used as a combination heating and cooling system, or in addition to conventional heating and cooling equipment.
An air-source heat pump absorbs warmth from outdoor air and transfers it inside your home. By moving heat indoors, the heat pump system causes your interior areas to feel warmer. To cool your home, air-source heat pumps draw the heat out of your home. By removing the heat, your home feels cooler. Instead of moving heat energy from the air, geothermal heat pump systems use underground heat as an energy source.
Sometimes called ground-source heat pump systems, geothermal systems use a ground loop to tap into ambient below-ground heat. Geothermal heat pump systems can also be water-source. This means they pull heat energy from a nearby water source with consistent temperatures, such as a lake or pond.
The heat transfers into the home. To cool the home, geothermal systems draw heat from inside and transfer it into the ground or water source. Either the ground or the water, depending on the type of system you have, becomes a heat receptacle for the excess heat in your home.
Geothermal heat pump systems can reduce household energy use by up to 60 percent! They offer excellent humidity control and long service life.
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