Lennox Heat Pump Woes

[D2Cat]

I live in Kansas. I replaced a Lennox unit that had 19 years of no problems that looked WAY better then that!!

 

[fried1765]

We're currently getting quotes on replacing the dead Rheem central air unit with either a Daikin or Mitsubishi mini-split. The first quote was fourteen thousand. We'll see how much the second and third quotes will be.

The Mitsubishi mini-splits seem to have a very good reputation.

 

[fried1765]

Be aware that every brand has issues with the coils:

Class Action Investigation Over Air Conditioner Freon Leaks

Is your air conditioner or HVAC unit leaking freon? Does it have other problems? We would like to hear from homeowners like you. Click to tell us more.

www.classaction.org

But I am having problems with everything with the Lennox. Only the compressor and the condenser coil (and maybe a control board) are still original since 2016.

The corrosion is everywhere this is a three year old Lennox coil:
View attachment 87602 View attachment 87603 View attachment 87604 View attachment 87605

So spin the roulette, try your luck and pick a brand that is not Lennox if you need a new unit.

This is a 15 year old Bryant coil that was not leaking.
View attachment 87606

Where do you live?
The Florida keys?

 

[Daren Todd]

We're currently getting quotes on replacing the dead Rheem central air unit with either a Daikin or Mitsubishi mini-split. The first quote was fourteen thousand. We'll see how much the second and third quotes will be.

$14k seems steep for a mini split. But hey... what do I know.

I ordered a mini split off Amazon for about $800 to install in our sun porch. Nephew came over and helped me wire it up and mount it. Think I had around $1500 total on the install with mounting brackets which got the outside unit off the ground and proper spacing off the house.

Came prefilled with freon and had instructions on how to purge on install.

I could see the multiple zones being more expensive due to wiring and plumbing. But the single unit was fairly easy and straight forward.

We did have a 220 line already run so that did cut down on the cost.

 

[RCW]

I do all mine own work, so that's a non-issue for me at least. 35 years in industrial HVAC & boiler operations.
The condenser coil leaking issue is due to the lighter materials being used to get the Higher SEER ratings on these units. Its shame the Govt did this starting in the 80's with the Protocall's that they mandated.

Tom - - sometime I might hit you up for some advice on mini splits. Considering renovating two bathrooms.

Since pellet stove heats the house, bathrooms don't get heat from the central HWB oil boiler. Bathrooms can get a little chilly now if doors aren't left open.

Thought I'd just cut/bypass the registers out in those rooms and re-loop with copper sub-floor.

We put a toe-kick HW unit in kitchen, but it's 10 feet from pellet stove....

Thought the AC was bonus but know about zero about them.

We're just a couple hours south on Route 12, so you know our heating/cooling needs......

 

[Tughill Tom]

Tom - - sometime I might hit you up for some advice on mini splits. Considering renovating two bathrooms.

Since pellet stove heats the house, bathrooms don't get heat from the central HWB oil boiler. Bathrooms can get a little chilly now if doors aren't left open.

Thought I'd just cut/bypass the registers out in those rooms and re-loop with copper sub-floor.

We put a toe-kick HW unit in kitchen, but it's 10 feet from pellet stove....

Thought the AC was bonus but know about zero about them.

We're just a couple hours south on Route 12, so you know our heating/cooling needs......

Sure any time, right now I'm liking Fujitsu mini-splits heating good down to -15f and come with the pan heaters installed. I was looking at a 18K BTU system with 2 indoor units and was $3,300 for the units, so the whole install was looking at about $4,500 all in. Never went ahead with the reno due all the other materials cost.

 

[xrocketengineer]

Where do you live?
The Florida keys?

I am on the same island as the Kennedy Space Center.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

The pix of the A-coils are GREAT examples of what happens to 'regular' steel in high humidity areas over time. Also a good reminder to be sure the drain IS draining.......

 

[fried1765]

I am on the same island as the Kennedy Space Center.

Merritt island is a lovely place.
I considered moving there once upon a time.

 

[dan_m]

I live in Kansas. I replaced a Lennox unit that had 19 years of no problems that looked WAY better then that!!

Makes me wonder if the rust is due to high humidity? Is the unit it a temperature controlled space or not? Also, wonder if it would be better overall regardless of brand to be kept in a temp and humity controlled space?

Just some random thoughts. My unit is in unfinished garage/basement without temp control or humidity control.

Dan

 

[Tughill Tom]

Be aware that every brand has issues with the coils:

Class Action Investigation Over Air Conditioner Freon Leaks

Is your air conditioner or HVAC unit leaking freon? Does it have other problems? We would like to hear from homeowners like you. Click to tell us more.

www.classaction.org

But I am having problems with everything with the Lennox. Only the compressor and the condenser coil (and maybe a control board) are still original since 2016.

The corrosion is everywhere this is a three year old Lennox coil:
View attachment 87602 View attachment 87603 View attachment 87604 View attachment 87605

So spin the roulette, try your luck and pick a brand that is not Lennox if you need a new unit.

This is a 15 year old Bryant coil that was not leaking.
View attachment 87606

Have the new system coils Phenolic coated by who ever does the install for your environment , high RH and salt air not a good mix.

 

[ctfjr]

. . . On top of that, the estimate for the 11lbs. refrigerant when the coil is replaced is almost $1000 when the last time they charged nothing.

Considering that the most common refrigerant costs the trade ~ $20/lb (or less) today I'd say you are getting hosed pretty good.

 

[D2Cat]

Makes me wonder if the rust is due to high humidity? Is the unit it a temperature controlled space or not? Also, wonder if it would be better overall regardless of brand to be kept in a temp and humity controlled space?

Just some random thoughts. My unit is in unfinished garage/basement without temp control or humidity control.

Dan

We have high humidity also. I think the damage you see is from a salty atmosphere.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

The total A-coil 'should' be made from 100% SS
but if that was done, you'd only ever need one ..

 

[ctfjr]

The total A-coil 'should' be made from 100% SS
but if that was done, you'd only ever need one ..

You could make that case for the pan and the casing perhaps. Not so much for the actual coil and fins, unless you were trying to make it really inefficient.

 

[xrocketengineer]

My issue is not just the coils, particularly in light of that all brands seem to have problems with them. The problem with this Lennox unit is that every year (except for one) something different broke. And now the cooling coil has failed again. So it is a total piece of crap.
And in addition, when the thermostat failed they replaced it with a new fangled wireless model that complains several times a week that it has lost communications. Garbage all the way around.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

Friend's Carrier furnace 'inducer fan' packed it in... $1500, back ordered since JANUARY..
For $300 more I got a complete, new, 80KBtu furnace installed into my garage....

BTW ALL HVAC units will be scarce PDQ thanks to Fiona and Ian

 

[xrocketengineer]

Well, out of the blue the dealer showed up with the evaporator coil and it is installed. Even under warranty they charged me $993 for refrigerant only. Now, lets see what will break next.

Three year old coil:

New one:

 

[GreensvilleJay]

so, the defective A-coil .. leaked out the freon ???
If so, since the A-coil was under warranty, you should not have been charged for the freon.

 

[fried1765]

so, the defective A-coil .. leaked out the freon ???
If so, since the A-coil was under warranty, you should not have been charged for the freon.

"Should not" means nothing!
They ALL do it!