Author Topic: ANY HEAT PUMP REPAIR GUYS OUT THERE?? UNIT IS A TRANE  (Read 558 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline lonewolf5348

  • Trade Count: (38)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1393
ANY HEAT PUMP REPAIR GUYS OUT THERE?? UNIT IS A TRANE
« on: January 13, 2010, 03:08:53 PM »
I seem the last few days to loose the speed the fan when the heat was turn on it seem like now the fan will blow about at medium compared to high it once did .I called a tech:in to see what was the problem he said he change the wire from medium to high speed but there seem no difference.I then was told maybe the return may be the problem but it been like that for the last 9 years.I seen him remove the cover from the unit and the fan did improve when we tried the unit to were it was before the problem started.The return filter is clean he did state he had no idea or were to look funny I ask him a few question in regards to the fan relay but he said it work funny he did not try to test it or replace the fan relay,anyone have any ideas??

Offline mechanic

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (32)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5112
  • Gender: Male
Re: ANY HEAT PUMP REPAIR GUYS OUT THERE?? UNIT IS A TRANE
« Reply #1 on: January 13, 2010, 03:57:05 PM »
Depending on the type of unit you have, most likely the fan relay is ok, or the fan would not be running.  My first guess is either a blocked air intake, or a fan motor going out......
Molon Labe, (King Leonidas of the Spartan Army)

Offline Graybeard

  • Administrator
  • Trade Count: (69)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 27106
  • Gender: Male
Re: ANY HEAT PUMP REPAIR GUYS OUT THERE?? UNIT IS A TRANE
« Reply #2 on: January 14, 2010, 02:47:38 AM »
When's the last time you changed your air filter?

So far as I can tell our heat pump (circa 1991) has only one fan speed. If it seems slowed down the filter is usually over due for a replacement. When it gets low on freon it doesn't work effectively and we've had to have that looked at a couple of times. We've needed parts replaced outside a couple times as well.


Bill aka the Graybeard
President, Graybeard Outdoor Enterprises
256-435-1125

I am not a lawyer and do not give legal advice.

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life anyone who believes in Him will have everlasting life!

Offline lonewolf5348

  • Trade Count: (38)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1393
Re: ANY HEAT PUMP REPAIR GUYS OUT THERE?? UNIT IS A TRANE
« Reply #3 on: January 14, 2010, 03:33:58 AM »
The return filter is clean
I wonder if there is a filter some were else?

Offline SHOOTALL

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 23836
Re: ANY HEAT PUMP REPAIR GUYS OUT THERE?? UNIT IS A TRANE
« Reply #4 on: January 14, 2010, 03:55:39 AM »
You didn't list model , trane has many . If it is a standard model with an AC fan motor ( var. speed motors are DC now ) you have three speeds in most cases . Most run AC on high and Heat on med . You can play with them to compensate for poor duct design or humidity control . In most cases a relay is mounted on the "board " and either works or does not . Several things could be going on .
Dirty filter could be one - you say no
A dirty fan , if it is covered with dust etc it will not move as much air and use more elec. not doing it .
If your return is insulated on the inside a piece of it may have come lose blocking off some of the air.
A supply lead may also be lose or off causing a drop in static pressure .
A capacitor may be going or gone bad ( they last about 5-7 years now due to restriction on how they can be made.

A fan motor could be going ( most often because the cap. has gone and the motor is trying to run with out it .

If you have duct board or flex duct check then as they both tend to fail after time . I have seen both fall apart over years of use . Our code was changed to only allow milar type flex as the other type ( non foil) would fall apart .
one other thing , it has been colder and for longer this year in some places . When your HP goes into defrost the elec heat comes on and keeps the house from getting cold . If you have lost your strip heat you may feel colder air and mistake it for not getting enough heat .

I will be honest here , the tech should have checked all of this .
If ya can see it ya can hit it !

Offline mechanic

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (32)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5112
  • Gender: Male
Re: ANY HEAT PUMP REPAIR GUYS OUT THERE?? UNIT IS A TRANE
« Reply #5 on: January 14, 2010, 04:46:48 AM »
Shootall is right, you paid a tech.  You should already know the problem.  Might want to check with someone else...... ???
Molon Labe, (King Leonidas of the Spartan Army)

Offline SHOOTALL

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 23836
Re: ANY HEAT PUMP REPAIR GUYS OUT THERE?? UNIT IS A TRANE
« Reply #6 on: January 14, 2010, 05:01:42 AM »
The tech cheated you and the guy he works for . The tech should do a complete check of the system not just the indoor unit as it all works togather in a system . He should inform the owner of all he can see going on . He should note what is not working and also if he needs to fix something before he can complete his check. This allowes the owner to decide what he will have repaired and when . To not do this cheats the owner out of being able to make an informed decision . Also not to do this cheats the owner of the service company out of work because if the owner of the system is not satsfyed he will seek services of another company. The third thing is it shows the inexperince and lack of knolege on the part of the tech.
If ya can see it ya can hit it !

Offline lonewolf5348

  • Trade Count: (38)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1393
Re: ANY HEAT PUMP REPAIR GUYS OUT THERE?? UNIT IS A TRANE
« Reply #7 on: January 14, 2010, 08:26:37 AM »
I called another tech: was recommend by someone a good trouble shooter from ACOSTA they did install the unit from day one when the house was built.
I will post his finding : I talk with him to day over the phone he ask if the COILS were ever cleaned
you got me I got the home as a resale about 5 years ago never had any problems with heat or AC
I think he did mention he has to check out the unit first but it seems it not a big problem
WILL SEE

Offline SHOOTALL

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 23836
Re: ANY HEAT PUMP REPAIR GUYS OUT THERE?? UNIT IS A TRANE
« Reply #8 on: January 14, 2010, 08:32:45 AM »
He could be right about the coil ( i missed that one ) as a wet coil in ac season is by far the best filter you can have .
If ya can see it ya can hit it !

Offline squirrellluck

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • A Real Regular
  • ****
  • Posts: 642
Re: ANY HEAT PUMP REPAIR GUYS OUT THERE?? UNIT IS A TRANE
« Reply #9 on: January 14, 2010, 03:08:08 PM »
Are you looking at a filter grill or the filter in the air handler. Most Trane air handlers have a filter in the bottom of the unit below the coil if the unit is vetical One end or the other if horizonal. As Shootall said I would check for broken ductwork if the motor sounds normal and is not dragging. Doesnt sound very service techy but the home owner will normally notice the the difference in sound of the fan. Also as shoot said I have seen the insulation in the blower cabinet suck up against the blower housing and block air flow then fall back down when the fan shuts off. If the a/h sits in a closet on a platform I have seen plastic bags suck up against the coil and block the air flow.

Offline rdmallory

  • Trade Count: (11)
  • A Real Regular
  • ****
  • Posts: 724
  • Gender: Male
Re: ANY HEAT PUMP REPAIR GUYS OUT THERE?? UNIT IS A TRANE
« Reply #10 on: January 15, 2010, 05:14:46 AM »
Something I found with my system. DO  NOT use the new 600micron filters. They do not pass enough air for the high efficiency HA units. Go back to the old blue fiberglass filters, that is want they were rated for.

Mine worked fine unless it was real hot or real cold. I thought it was the fan ans was told the fans are marginal on the new HA units to keep the power down.


Doug

Offline SHOOTALL

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 23836
Re: ANY HEAT PUMP REPAIR GUYS OUT THERE?? UNIT IS A TRANE
« Reply #11 on: January 15, 2010, 06:18:00 AM »
We have found Trane units don't suffer from a loss of static pressure with the pleted filters like some units do . One thing that does cut preformance is the air freshner squares some people use .
If ya can see it ya can hit it !

Offline lonewolf5348

  • Trade Count: (38)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1393
Re: ANY HEAT PUMP REPAIR GUYS OUT THERE?? UNIT IS A TRANE
« Reply #12 on: January 15, 2010, 01:26:57 PM »
I did find a sharp repair man excellent really new his stuff he did a complete check of the system inside and outside :He stated for a 10 year old unit it was in excellent shape he did find the capacitor was on it way out,these are not cheap $110.00 and 90.00 to inspect the unit and clean the coils.
I did appreicate he service and $20.00 for his lunch on ME

Offline mechanic

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (32)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5112
  • Gender: Male
Re: ANY HEAT PUMP REPAIR GUYS OUT THERE?? UNIT IS A TRANE
« Reply #13 on: January 15, 2010, 01:58:57 PM »
I did find a sharp repair man excellent really new his stuff he did a complete check of the system inside and outside :He stated for a 10 year old unit it was in excellent shape he did find the capacitor was on it way out,these are not cheap $110.00 and 90.00 to inspect the unit and clean the coils.
I did appreicate he service and $20.00 for his lunch on ME

Keep his name and tell him to call you if he changes companies.  Sometimes if you find a guy that knows his stuff it's best to hang with him......
Molon Labe, (King Leonidas of the Spartan Army)

Offline SHOOTALL

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 23836
Re: ANY HEAT PUMP REPAIR GUYS OUT THERE?? UNIT IS A TRANE
« Reply #14 on: January 17, 2010, 10:28:33 AM »
Sounds like fair prices , by replacing th cap. he saved you a motor most likely .
If ya can see it ya can hit it !