[BobboBobbo]

Brand new unit. Couple weeks old. Original installer lives far, says if it's blowing cold air, then so be it, likely normal.

Yet it's just so annoyingly loud.. constant hiss when running. Rushing refrigerant.

Had a second guy come out give a second opinion. States it's the TXV valve, he confirmed the freon balance is all good. Might be worth swapping under warranty yet not too familiar with Rheems, 'could be totally normal'.

Any thoughts/advice? Attached video below. It's louder in person. And only when running (does this the entire time it's running, at the end of the vid I clicked the unit off). Does not do it when fan-only is running.

I understand it's gas/liquid converting yet is this level to be expected? My last unit had the sound of just 'air' - but it's also been a while.

streamable .com/0jgpeq

 

[pecmsg]

Brand new unit. Couple weeks old. Original installer lives far, says if it's blowing cold air, then so be it, likely normal.

Yet it's just so annoyingly loud.. constant hiss when running. Rushing refrigerant.

Had a second guy come out give a second opinion. States it's the TXV valve, he confirmed the freon balance is all good. Might be worth swapping under warranty yet not too familiar with Rheems, 'could be totally normal'.

Any thoughts/advice? Attached video below. It's louder in person. And only when running (does this the entire time it's running, at the end of the vid I clicked the unit off). Does not do it when fan-only is running.

I understand it's gas/liquid converting yet is this level to be expected? My last unit had the sound of just 'air' - but it's also been a while.

streamable .com/0jgpeq

Confirmand Freon Balance?

How about the Super Heat and Subcooling numbers. Thats the only way to know if the charge is correct.

 

[Bazooka Joe]

Who’s going to swap out the metering device, possibly a good functioning metering device at that, the 2nd Tech. as if so and the Installing Contractor finds out, they can easily drop your labor warranty. They probably would prefer that scenario as you say they live far away and don’t have to travel no more coming from so far for future warranty work for the life of the labor warranty.

The 2nd company just as easy can purchase a OEM metering device and bury the price of the metering device into the labor cost and whatever else they plan on charging you, as for such a small part ( especially if it’s not defective ) they don’t want to bother with warranty paperwork. Time is money as they say.

As mentioned what does the invoice say in regards to subcooling and superheat numbers compared to the install guide of the outdoor unit.

Do you have a AHRI ( Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute ) matched system?

Is the liquid line the same temperature further up to where it enters the Air Handler just before the 90 degree bend?

Hopefully you registered the indoor section and outdoor unit as manufacturer warranty decreases if system never gets registered.

 

[BobboBobbo]

So I suppose before diving in, does it seem normal? I know without testing this/that who knows, yet from first glance? If freon balance is off it can cause this valve to hiss like this? (sound of rushing of freon)

Confirmand Freon Balance?

How about the Super Heat and Subcooling numbers. Thats the only way to know if the charge is correct.

Don't know... he had it running, waited 5 minutes, said it was in range and adjusted slightly. Still loud TXV.

Who’s going to swap out the metering device, possibly a good functioning metering device at that, the 2nd Tech. as if so and the Installing Contractor finds out, they can easily drop your labor warranty. They probably would prefer that scenario as you say they live far away and don’t have to travel no more coming from so far for future warranty work for the life of the labor warranty.

As mentioned what does the invoice say in regards to subcooling and superheat numbers compared to the install guide of the outdoor unit.

Do you have a AHRI ( Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute ) matched system?

Not sure regarding supercooling/superheat. So if those are off, the TXV can be excessively loud by this?

I don't know enough... this was a contractor's guy that installed. It's registered under warranty and his name, I told him I'm going to have a second opinion and look.

 

[pecmsg]

Original installer lives far, says if it's blowing cold air, then so be it, likely normal.

He could make time to take your money he can make time to come back and do it right. (Doubtful it was done right to begin with)

Tell him you're getting a factory authorized dealer out to review the entire install and will be sending him the bill.

 

[BobboBobbo]

He could make time to take your money he can make time to come back and do it right. (Doubtful it was done right to begin with)

Tell him you're getting a factory authorized dealer out to review the entire install and will be sending him the bill.

Got it. Thanks. But can anyone tell me if it's 'wrong' for the TXV to be wooshing during operation like the video? Or what might of happened?

Literally could be me picking apart what every HVAC always sounds like. That's all I'm trying to get at right now..

 

[Bazooka Joe]

Don't know... he had it running, waited 5 minutes, said it was in range and adjusted slightly. Still loud TXV.

What does that mean? Was the system off and he started it then waited 5 minutes Then did his thing with the metering device?

If so your suppose to turn system on and wait 15/20 minutes to let machine stabilize before checking subcooling and superheat, even after adjusting the metering device ( provided it’s a adjustable metering device ) your suppose to wait another 15+ minutes to stabilize to get your reading(s) The outdoor temperature and even the indoor temperature needs to be within manufacture guidelines to check refrigerant charge in cool mode. What was the outdoor and indoor temperature when he did a quickly check and adjustment and said final field refrigerant charge was good?

What’s the model number of the Air Handler and outdoor unit?

Did you touch the liquid copper line ( 3/8” OD tubing ) further up say 6’ up and run your hand down to the Air Handler to see if there is a temperature difference which there should not be. Should be somewhat/slightly warm to the touch.

 

[pecmsg]

Got it. Thanks. But can anyone tell me if it's 'wrong' for the TXV to be wooshing during operation like the video? Or what might of happened?

Literally could be me picking apart what every HVAC always sounds like. That's all I'm trying to get at right now..

I cant hear any noise from a properly working system !

 

[BobboBobbo]

Did you touch the liquid copper line ( 3/8” OD tubing ) further up say 6’ up and run your hand down to the Air Handler to see if there is a temperature difference which there should not be.

I will try this, thank you. The gentleman likely didn't check the superheat and subcooling properly then, don't know. Yet the question still remains.. if a constant audible sound from a TXV is normal. Regardless if level is perfect or off, just yet. Versus diagnosis and diagnosing the technician next

It's a 4ton rheem, I will grab model number.

 

[pecmsg]

I will try this, thank you. The gentleman likely didn't check the superheat and subcooling properly then, don't know. Yet the question still remains.. if a constant audible sound from a TXV is normal. Regardless if level is perfect or off, just yet. Versus diagnosis and diagnosing the technician next

It's a 4ton rheem, I will grab model number.

NO it is NOT!

 

[BobboBobbo]

That's what I needed. Thank you!

Ok. So what would cause such a rushing freon sound, would be improper levels (most likely) - is that correct? As if the superheat subcooling etc is off, it's due to a improper balance or charge of freon. Is that correct?

The odds of the valve itself being defunct from factory causing this, would be slim? Is there anything else that would cause this or unlikely.

 

[pecmsg]

That's what I needed. Thank you!

Ok. So what would cause such a rushing freon sound, would be improper levels (most likely) - is that correct? As if the superheat subcooling etc is off, it's due to a improper balance or charge of freon. Is that correct?

The odds of the valve itself being defunct from factory causing this, would be slim? Is there anything else that would cause this or unlikely.

We can't see your system through a computer screen. You need the installing contractor back on site!

 

[BobboBobbo]

We can't see your system through a computer screen. You need the installing contractor back on site!

Right I know. Ha. Thank you. I've already told him to get his ass back here. I'm preparing myself so if he says 'this is normal', air is cold. I can say no, the levels need better balancing. Etc.

I'm more just curious what would cause it. Unless there are too many possibilities causing a TXV valve to be overly loud during operation.

 

[pecmsg]

Right I know. Ha. Thank you. I've already told him to get his ass back here. I'm preparing myself so if he says 'this is normal', air is cold. I can say no, the levels need better balancing. Etc.

I'm more just curious what would cause it. Unless there are too many possibilities causing a TXV valve to be overly loud during operation.

If that's his reply, then it's time to get another contractor to inspect the entire install! Most contractors do NOT do a proper job to begin with. Get it in, get paid and get out.

 

[BobboBobbo]

If that's his reply, then it's time to get another contractor to inspect the entire install! Most contractors do NOT do a proper job to begin with. Get it in, get paid and get out.

That's what I did. First one (original) is coming out mid next week, I got another contractor to take a peek. He said levels are fine and he's not overly familiar with Rheem. Hence I ended up here because I feel lost. Don't know what's normal, don't know what the actual problem could be. (now that I know there is one and it shouldn't be noisy during operation)

Florida contractors suck.


No one here wants to share what they 'think' would cause a loud TXV valve? Is it only a value of freon balance causing such? Or too many variables.

 

[pecmsg]

Not familiar with RHEEM

All the systems are basically the same!

 

[BobboBobbo]

The original installer came out. Let the machine run for 25 minutes, checked things outside and said they're "perfect".

He states the whistle/freon noise is completely normal. It's refrigerant running through the TXV valve. Once I get a door on the closet I won't notice it..

He said the charge is perfect and the valve if it were failing or faulty it would behave differently. There is nothing else other than it's a 4 ton in a small closet.


Not sure what else to do, other than accept it's normal. Or venture out for a 'third' new person to come take a look. Yet again not sure what they can do, as it sounds like these valves make a noise and they're not silent?

 

[pecmsg]

So, what are the Subcooling / Superheat #'s?

 

[Mr Bill]

Is the valve "inside the cabinet"? If it's outside the cabinet, it should be wrapped with armaflex, if you have a door to the air-handler or furnace you could insulate the inside of the door might help some. Are you sure you're hearing the refrigerant as it passes through the valve, or, could it be what you are hearing coming from the copper lines?

 

[BobboBobbo]

So, what are the Subcooling / Superheat #'s?

I know he let it run for 20+ minutes before doing whatever he did. I'm not a tech just the homeowner, didn't ask him to tell me numbers.

Is the valve "inside the cabinet"? If it's outside the cabinet, it should be wrapped with armaflex, if you have a door to the air-handler or furnace you could insulate the inside of the door might help some. Are you sure you're hearing the refrigerant as it passes through the valve, or, could it be what you are hearing coming from the copper lines?

Thanks for inquiring. It is inside the cabinet, yes. I thought about insulating it within to a degree, as well as the inside of the door yes. It could be coming from the copper lines, refrigerant rushing through. Yet it sounds like it's right at this valve.