Over a week ago the original to the house, 21 year old Trane XL13i heat pump started making a loud hum/buz rather than it's normal whirling noises and the fan on top of the unit isn't turning nor is the compressor. Maybe it's only the fan/motor but it was replaced about 5 years ago when I noticed the fan wobbling when running from a worn bearing. Anyway I'm expecting the worst when the original company who installed this Trans system come tomorrow to "we'll either fix it or work up what a replacement will cost". In addition I have one other company coming next week that sell Trans as well as Mitsubishi to advise and estimate.

I'm all electric so, unless I go to the effort and expense of putting a propane tank in, I see a replacement heat pump with resistance back up as my best option. In my brief research I learn newer HPs have a slightly better refrigerant and the top ones may utilize a variable speed compressor along with variable speed air handler which further increases efficiency (HSPF2) and reduces noise. And increases cost. Some of these systems communicate between inside thermostat, air handler, and outside unit to better know when it needs to ramp up a lot or if just slightly will be enough.

I am reasonably confident the duct work is correctly sized and correctly put in. I don't care much about AC because I might only use AC 8-10 days a year. What's important is:

1)How well the system can put out heat and at how low an outside temperature before the resistance strips need to come on. It'd be nice if it could comfortably work at least down in the low 20's, better yet in the teens w/o the resistance heat.


2)Quiet operation. The air handler is suspended in the crawl space right under the living room with the outside unit just outside. My present system was loud when running both the compressor and air handler. However when the air handler is set to "fan on" just to move air it runs slowly and is very quiet. This is what has me interested in the variable speed compressor and air fan units.

3) Minor, but I may as well have it include a thermostat (simpler the better) that I can monitor and control from my phone.

Any of you have a newer inverter, communicating heat pump system? from Trans, Mitsubishi, Carrier, etc?

'Trans' system huh...Sooo, does it identify as a heat pump or an air conditioner?

The loud hum/buzz you're hearing 'could' simply be a bad capacitor, which is not starting the compressor motor, and a relatively inexpensive fix. The part is typically in the $20-25 range. YMMV

Of course in 21 YO system, it could actually be a bad compressor, but you'll find out soon enough.

Anyway, the 'communication' you're talking about is called Outdoor Reset, which is utilizes the turn-down capability in modulating systems (w/ an Inverter in the case of a heat pump) to essentially run at 'part throttle' over a longer period of time when the demand is lower, in order to save energy and reduce short cycling, especially during the shoulder months. In theory (and when applied correctly!), it will result in a quieter, more comfortable system. It's my understanding that Outdoor Reset doesn't really play well/work as intended if you like to use temperature setback, resulting in excessively long recovery times to achieve setpoint.

I has a Carrier Infinity heat pump. It had all the things you mention. It was super quiet, kept the house humidity and temp very even, then needed to be replaced after 10 years. I had it serviced twice a year even. If it had lasted 12 years, I would have broke even.

I now have a Rheem AC only with a single speed air handler and two speed compressor, but even this is a “communicating” system and the people that installed it decided it’s too complicated for them to service. None of the other local dealers will service it either.

Everyone says go a good installer, but I don’t seem to be able to find one of those.

A capacitor has been replaced twice over the years so yess possibly (hopefully) just another one

quote:

Originally posted by trapper189:
I has a Carrier Infinity heat pump. It had all the things you mention. It was super quiet, kept the house humidity and temp very even, then needed to be replaced after 10 years. I had it serviced twice a year even. If it had lasted 12 years, I would have broke even.

...

Just what I was afraid of! I should consider dining up the yard and putting in a propane tank!

To be fair, I'm only a single data point. I have nothing against heat pumps in general. I have one for my pool, but it's simple. I would
d have one for my house, but the increased cost, even for the simple kind, wasn't worth the cost. I used heat maybe three times last year.

It's the complex multispeed air handler, inverter compressors, and all that didn't meet expectations. Maybe they last longer in WV than FL?

I got a Daikin a little over a year ago. Inverter system that sounds like it meets your requirements. Comes with a smart thermostat made by the manufacturer. It's quiet enough that you can barely hear it start up when you're standing next to it.

ridewv, full disclosure, I work in the commercial side of the industry. If you can afford the inverter systems they can / will save energy and possibly improve comfort. The heat outputs are maintained well below 0°F now.
The H2i® models provide heating even when it’s -13° F (-25° C) outdoor ambient temperature, producing up to 100% heating capacity at 5° F (-15° C).
Mitsubishi is now under Trane and I like their systems. I highly suggest that you have a surge protection device installed on both the indoor and outdoor units for added protection. Make sure the warranty registration is completed. As for noise, all the new ones I've been around are very quite. Last year around this time, I replaced my sons Trane xl13i heat pump with the Bosch 20 seer system. Very quite system and he is happy with it.

Work with an independent Diamond Contractor or Ductless Pro to receive a 12 year parts/12 year compressor warranty, the best in the industry.
You also may be eligible for a tax credit.

Good luck on your selection.

My vote goes to Rheem.

quote:

Originally posted by hvactech:
ridewv, full disclosure, I work in the commercial side of the industry. If you can afford the inverter systems they can / will save energy and possibly improve comfort. The heat outputs are maintained well below 0°F now.
The H2i® models provide heating even when it’s -13° F (-25° C) outdoor ambient temperature, producing up to 100% heating capacity at 5° F (-15° C).
Mitsubishi is now under Trane and I like their systems.....

...Good luck on your selection.

Thanks hvactech! I didn't realize Mitsubishi and Trane were together now? Good. I'll see what my Trane service guy says tomorrow. I just checked and there don't seem to be any Bosch HVAC contractors in this area.

Happy, happy, it was a 15 minute fix! After turning it on and listening to it he removed the cover and lightly jiggled a wire which was not connected. The spade connector had corroded and broken at a terminal. He crimped on a new connector and it's working like a charm.

He did mention it's going to need replaced one of these days (LOL he said this when he was here 3 years ago too). He also suggested when it gets down below 30 I'm better off just switching to emergency (which shuts off the heat pump) to let it run on the resistance back up. He said at those cold temperatures the pump works hard using a lot energy to put out not much heat. As far as a replacement he mentioned a Mitsubishi Hyper Heat which will operate more efficiently and at temperatures down to 0, opposed to mine which only *effectively* works down to maybe 28.

quote:

The H2i® models

Good to hear the fix was simple. The H2i® models = Hyper Heat. 21 years old is a good run.

In 2020 Ingersoll Rand® and Mitsubishi® Electric Corporation announced that the two companies would merge to form Mitsubishi Electric Trane. The new corporate entity will sell and distribute ductless and VRF heating and air conditioning systems through the American Standard®, Trane®, and Mitsubishi brands.

quote:

Originally posted by hvactech:

In 2020 Ingersoll Rand® and Mitsubishi® Electric Corporation announced that the two companies would merge to form Mitsubishi Electric Trane. The new corporate entity will sell and distribute ductless and VRF heating and air conditioning systems through the American Standard®, Trane®, and Mitsubishi brands.

I wonder how many people who hear the new name will think it's new transportation company "Mitsubishi Electric Train"?

We have a Lennox HP that works very well , but seems to struggle below 35 degrees. I just turn on the E heat and its all good. 10 degrees outside and I have 76 inside with my 30 yr old Lopi wood stove burning ........

Mine functions about the same, kyoung. It's not been a problem because like you when it's in the 30's and under, I'm heating with the stove. And if I'm not home the HP's set on 58. Only negative is I'm up two times a night adding wood, I should just let the HP or resistance take care of heat at night.

The Hvac guy that did the install on the new house I have been overseeing for family used York. I will be in operation in less than a month. I am hoping it is as good as it looks, lol.

Those new fangled compressors seem to problematic. I am not sure if the new system has one. I am hoping not.

I hope they're not problematic. If I had gas or propane back up I'd probably look at an intermediate price heat pump that just operates well down to 30 or so at which point it switches to gas.