[chsreviteer]

I had a new 2.5 ton unit installed on January 1st: Trane Heat pump and air handler. Since outdoor unit was relocated I had them install new lineset through the attic. HVAC company that originally installed the unit was sold to another company a week later, new company said they will honor the warranty. Everything was working smoothly until a heat wave hit last week. Unit was working 100% of the time but could not go lower than 76-77 deg.

.

Had the HVAC guy come out today who was surprised no QC was done after the unit was installed. He had to add 4 lbs of refrigerant in order for the unit to blow the right temperature out of the vents. Charged it up to 138/320 PSI. My question is: Is it possible that original installer thought they put enough refrigerant in because it was winter (in Charleston its 40-50 deg), or did they shortchange me? Or you think the unit develop a leak in 5 months?

 

[pecmsg]

Yes
Yes
&
Yes

Without being there there is no way of knowing.

Systems are not charged by pressure alone. The owners manual has specific instructions that must be followed. I would contact the installers and have them follow these instructions!

 

[firecontrol]

4#'s low is a lot, unless the new lineset is 80'+ long.

Did it heat fine during the winter months? Did it do so without having to run the AUX heat most of the time.... or like the old unit did?

I guess if there is a leak somewhere you'll be calling them back come winter, because from your description they didn't do anything to verify that possibility. Hope the warranty will cover that call.

 

[Bazooka Joe]

From Trane Install guide it's a few years old but I believe it's still current.

" The Subcooling Charging method in cooling is
not recommended below 55 F outdoor temperature.
The only recommended method of charging at
outdoor temperatures below 55 F is weighing in the charge in heating mode."

Here's the install guide from a Trane Heat Pump. Probably similar for most models. Say to weight in charge when unable to charge by sub cooling in cool mode when below 55 degree. Then they should return on a warmer day to set the final adjustment charge in cool. As mentioned charging by pressure alone is still not correct. May want to call them back out and have them check your subcooling to see if it's within spec. ( listed in the install guide of the OD unit. ) Heat Pumps need to be dialed in on charge as one thing for optimal performance.

 

[NETWizz]

Have them check it again before it cools down for the winter. If it is low again there is a leak, and if you find it in the first year they should warranty it as part of the original install for most contractors.

Otherwise you should probably sign up for periodic maintenance. The spring is the best time for an annual. If you do twice a year then spring and fall.

 

[CEAS-AC-TECH]

I had a new 2.5 ton unit installed on January 1st: Trane Heat pump and air handler. Since outdoor unit was relocated I had them install new lineset through the attic. HVAC company that originally installed the unit was sold to another company a week later, new company said they will honor the warranty. Everything was working smoothly until a heat wave hit last week. Unit was working 100% of the time but could not go lower than 76-77 deg.

View attachment 809147 .

Had the HVAC guy come out today who was surprised no QC was done after the unit was installed. He had to add 4 lbs of refrigerant in order for the unit to blow the right temperature out of the vents. Charged it up to 138/320 PSI. My question is: Is it possible that original installer thought they put enough refrigerant in because it was winter (in Charleston its 40-50 deg), or did they shortchange me? Or you think the unit develop a leak in 5 months?

There is no way on any split you should of needed to add 4lbs regardless of OAT. You have a leak and the second tech out should of tracked it Down and provided a solution. This just confirms the original contractor food not use a micron gauge or pressure test.

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[chsreviteer]

Ok update on this post. The tech came back out and found a leak at the outdoor coil. Leak is at the joint of copper tubing to aluminum coil. Is that common in Trane units or did I just get a lemon? This unit is less than 6 months old and it already sprang a leak, makes me worried about the money I just spent on a new system. Company ordered a new coil and will replace it next week (everything under 1 yr labor and part warranty).

 

[pecmsg]

Ask for an extended warranty!

 

[timebuilder]

I know of another brand that this happens to.... its called a transition joint.... and for some reason manufacturing companies have a great deal of trouble making them last longer than a couple of years.

The microchannel coil is a wonderful concept, but because it's typically made of aluminum.... and then you have to figure out a way to hook up a copper line to the aluminum... you need to have this transition joint, and they don't always make those joints as well as they should.

In the plus column, the guy did find a leak.... so hopefully he'll take care of business properly from now on under the new ownership.

 

[BALloyd]

Trane had a repair kit specifically this issue.

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[pecmsg]

Trane had a repair kit specifically this issue.

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They have had a repair kit for years and still have issues.