Comments on: What’s the Name of The Outdoor Part of a Heat Pump?

By: abailes

abailes — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 15:00:59 +0000

In reply to Kishore Modi. Kishore, here's an article I

Kishore, here's an article I wrote about frost on heat pumps:

By: abailes

abailes — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 14:59:38 +0000

In reply to Kishore Modi. Kishore, you say your heat

Kishore, you say your heat pump is working but the outdoor unit fan isn't running. It sounds to me like your heat pump is working as it's supposed to. When you catch the outdoor unit with the fan not running, it's in defrost mode. If you watched it long enough, the fan would come back on and blow cold air out the top or side (depending on what type of heat pump it is). If it's just defrost, there's no need to change anything. And yes, some units can be noisy during defrost mode.

By: Kishore Modi

Kishore Modi — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 14:39:21 +0000

We have problems of heat pump
We have problems of heat pump heating is working but the fan in outdoor unit is not working so compressor is working & making big noise. We changed the sensor & computer card. So is it problem with Capacitor? Technician changed outdoor unit contractor too.

By: David Butler

David Butler — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 01:24:57 +0000

@Clare: this comment —
@Clare: this comment — “they now say the pressure built up too much and another leak” — makes no sense. Sounds like the tech botched the initial repair, or he just wants to sell you a new unit. Best case, you misunderstood his explanation. Either way, it’s a good idea to get another opinion and quote before dropping the big bucks on a new unit.

If and when you replace the outdoor unit, it doesn’t have to be same make/model. Unless your Ruud is their top-of-the-line model with a proprietary communications bus, other brands will work properly with your (presumably) Ruud indoor unit as long as the new unit is same capacity (or perhaps one size smaller, depending on several factors). The installer would need to verify the existing electrical circuit is sufficient. But as long as the new unit has similar or better efficiency and similar (or smaller) capacity, that shouldn’t be a problem.

As for your other question… Presumably you bought a heat pump instead of an air conditioner because you needed it for heat as well? If you have another heat source for the upstairs rooms, yes, you could save a few hundred bucks and go with an equivalent air conditioner. However, depending on where you’re located (climate) and how you would otherwise heat those rooms, a heat pump may have lower operating costs.

By: Clare Bratten

Clare Bratten — Sat, 06 Jul 2019 18:04:35 +0000

I got a heat pump in 2009 for
I got a heat pump in 2009 for my upstairs and the outside unit is a Ruud. It stopped cooling the air -- I called a repair shop, they replenished the freon and charged me $500. But it turns out the air is still not cooling and they now say the pressure built up too much and another leak so I need a new system. Do I have to ask for a heat pump for the outside unit (since after reading this I see it has two way air flow)? Does it have to be the same make? I was about to just ask for a new AC unit and I'm guessing that's a mistake now. The inside unit is in my attic crawl space and seems to be working (i.e. the blower is still blowing). Thanks for any clarification.

By: David Butler

David Butler — Sun, 13 Jan 2019 18:05:28 +0000

In reply to Brends. @Brends, before heat pumps
@Brends, before heat pumps were introduced, electric furnaces were very common in areas without access to natural gas. Today they're mostly used in lower price apartments. As to what temperature to set your thermostat at... in winter, set it as cool as you can tolerate! You should also see if you can improve air leakage around windows and doors (with weatherstripping and caulk). If you own your home, investing in a heat pump would reduce your heating costs by about 70% to 75%. BTW, the outdoor unit on your system is indeed a condenser. By definition, the outdoor unit of an air conditioner is a condenser. Likely you misunderstood what the tech told you, or he needs to find another occupation ;-)

By: Brends

Brends — Sun, 13 Jan 2019 11:21:22 +0000

My electric bill doubled in
My electric bill doubled in size in one month so I called my electric company to check my meter. The electric company sent a employee and he tested my HVAC unit and I was told my HVAC units condenser was not working properly and for me to call a repairman. I called and paid for a repairman to check my HVAC unit and I was told I did not have a heat pump or a condenser. He said my unit is an air conditioner with heating strips (coils) and there was nothing wrong with my unit because it was running properly. My electric bill is high due to the heating strips (coil). Is there such a HVAC unit like this or should I pay to get a second opinion? If there is such a unit like the one, what temperature should I use to prevent a high electric bill? Please help and thank you.

By: Avery Ray Colter

Avery Ray Colter — Thu, 12 Oct 2017 18:53:07 +0000

DaKyoob!
DaKyoob!

By: Gary Nash

Gary Nash — Thu, 12 Oct 2017 13:56:53 +0000

In reply to Thomas Peterson.

Another answer to the limited
Another answer to the limited life of metal tank water heaters is to buy a Marathon electric water heater by Rheem. Plastic tank w/ a well insulated envelope (not just the sides) & a lifetime warranty. Should be the last water heater that you buy. http://www.rheem.com/products/water_heating/tank/marathon-electric-water-heaters/. Hope that gives you another option.

By: Andrew Kinslow

Andrew Kinslow — Thu, 12 Oct 2017 13:39:15 +0000

I would simply call the out
I would simply call the out door part of a heat pump. The heat pump.