New Heat Pump - compressor locked

I can't believe the cost of the system these days

Anyone installed a new 4 ton heat pump SEER 18 or above lately?

1st up...the quotes are $15k XV16, $17K Trane System XV18.

2nd quote...Lennox 4 Ton Variable speed heat pump 16 SEER $21,000
19 SEER $24,600

Yep, there goes the bike goodies budget

 

New heat pump and the compressor is locked up? Are you not under warranty?

(Reading the thread title)

Now reading the thread body: the cost is going up. Which refrigerant are they using for the quotes?

I installed (I'm the contractor) a brand new heat pump system only 16 SEER (rheem/ruud) two weeks ago for 14k. R410A, not A2L. Air handler, aux heat strips, and condenser. Those prices are not too bad depending on your area. I don't think you are getting shafted. I did a 4 ton as well.

 

I have a Trane XL16i 4 ton 410a system that was installed Dec 2011 so it's been out of warranty since 2021.
They are quoting the 454b units as 410a is no longer being used in new units. And i hear 410a will be real expensive soon due to mfg's not producing raw 410a anymore.

 

well, the quotes for the trane systems are reasonable, but, i would verify they actually have the 454B on hand. that stuff is real hard for us to get our hands on right now. the Lennox pricing is a bit high, i would throw those out. also- i am not too familiar with any heat pump product that ISNT variable speed. like, they all are. even those trane ones are variable speed.

 

See, the Lennox salesman said my outdoor unit was not a variable speed compressor but the fan and air handler were. Maybe that was typical for 2011...I definitely want something energy efficient 18 or above. In Texas, summers are brutal on heat pumps and with a 2 story house my electricity bill will dictate whether I'm at Taco Bell or Texas Roadhouse

 

If you haven't already done it look into improving your homes insulation.

 

We don't have radiant barrier in the attic but I believe there is 12-14" of insulation up there. Our windows are probably the issue since they are single pane cheapo units.

 

See if you can get an IR photo of the house at night. On a warm night you can see the leaks. For instance on mine I did it in winter so was looking for hot spots. Overall not bad except they did not insulate under the window in the living room. You likely could do the same in the attic. I have a cheapo FLIR unit that goes on my iPhone. Here is one of Spitfire the Sheltie

 

FWIW, if you have a week to learn-by-doing, a compressor replacement isn't an impossible DIY task. You can pick up used compressors for dirt cheap, and then it's really just a matter of buying/borrowing/renting some specialized tools and learning to silver-solder. Last year I picked up a replacement compressor for $200, refrigerant for $50, tools for ~300, and did the job myself for less than the local AC guys wanted to just even look at the system.

I wouldn't want to run new lines or do any of the big install "hard work" stuff, but none of the stuff involved is out of reach for a motivated shadetree.

 

So, in May 2023 the system was 12 years old and the unit 30a circuit breaker tripped/compressor seized. Wife was in ICU. Called friend and he came over said he could replace compressor for $2800 bucks. Took him 4-5 hours. He said 410a was $50 a lb. 14 lb x $50=$700 and 4 ton compressor with 1 year warranty was $1400. That compressor lasted almost 2 years before locking up.
I think the Trane TXV valve caused the 2nd compressor crash. (a known Trane issue)

 

Lennox systems cost more than Trane? Whats up with that? Last system I had installed was in 2022 when a 29 year old Trane unit died of old age and Lennox was still a brand to avoid. Needless to say I went with another Trane.

 

We are in the process of buying a house with an 18year old system. I will bandaid, piece meal etc to keep it going as long as I can. Without getting political, I'm hoping we can come full circle and get the costs of new systems down over the next few years. Wishful thinking, but that's my plan.

 

Hmmm. At first glance, that looked like someone leaned back with their elbows up over their head and well...

 

Or a Sheltie

 

Log off the pornonets

 

I think the local business we called to give us a quote just inflated the price of the Lennox (like sharks when a boat is sinking they try to take as big a chunk out of you as they can)
There is also American Standard (a division of Trane) but no one has quoted me that system yet.
In the DFW metro your probably not going much below 15k for a heat pump/air handler combo single stage. That would be a lower SEER 14-16 and 17 n up is gonna be 18-20k.
Looks like we're gonna call up some home equity money cause I'm hearing people out of desparation financing at 20+% APR
I will throw a window unit upstairs before I'll finance at 28% APR.

 

Get a second opinion. A seized compressor can happen if it was installed poorly, but it’s not that common.

Many of the compressors we see which are diagnosed “locked” by other companies seem to magically spin when confronted by a competent technician.

Aside from that, the quotes seem reasonable. AC pricing has become crazy. I feel like we should give a written apology with every quote these days.

 

Did the hard start kit and it's a no go. As I understand it, any used compressor you install from the factory original Trane unit would be a refurbished unit. You get a year warranty cause they are a bandaid.
After lots of estimates, one guy asked about whether or not the line was flushed when the compressor was replaced. It was not so good chance of contaminants. The Trane TXV has had issues sticking a few times over the past 5 years. I would flip breakers off and wait 24 hours. Boom it would start but noticed a LOT of short cycling.

 

Save money and buy Goodman or Daiken. Nearly everyone uses sane suppliers for parts and only main difference is exterior. We use to do tear down analysis on competitors parts when I was with Carrier and under the named part number stickers were the sane part numbers for compressors, fans, contractors, and limit switches way more than you think. And don’t ever waste your money on a “communicating” system.

 

Never heard of Daikin...Goodman is a trusted name just not as popular.