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Rheem Heat Pumps
Rheem Heat Pump Troubleshooting - Richard, I have a Rheem heat pump, and it seems like we have the same problems with it every year. We call the HVAC guy out to get it going again, but it seems the following year, it is the same thing over again.
He fills the system up with R-22, and it’s not cheap. Does my heat pump need this every year? Does the heat pump burn Freon like a car burns gas? How can I properly troubleshoot this problem?
That is year three, and the cost of fixing it keeps rising every year. In the Spring, when we turn it to cooling, we don’t get any cold air. I came across your site and saw that you take questions about HVAC. I appreciate you taking the time to answer my question concerning this matter. What do you suggest? Thanks!
Rheem Heat Pump Troubleshooting
Rheem Heat Pump Troubleshooting Refrigerant Leaks - It looks to me like you have a refrigerant leak and I would bet that it is likely the accumulator causing this problem for you. To fix the refrigerant leak you will need to get your HVAC contractor to do a leak check. That can be pretty involved and may cost you a lot more than just filling up the system, but it will save you money in the long run.
Troubleshooting the heat pump refrigerant leak is not that difficult for me. I do them all the time and have done troubleshooting on a Rheem heat pump several times to find and fix the problem. Rheem is not the only brand that has problems like this so rest assured it could happen with any other brand also.
Rheem Heat Pump Troubleshooting - The problem with doing what your HVAC guy is doing is that a refrigerant leak also comes with an oil leak. Some of the oil in the system is also leaking out, and eventually, this will cause obvious mechanical problems. Problems can occur with a lack of lubrication for the moving parts. That would be your compressor. The compressor would be the most expensive component in the system if you had to replace it. Therefore, fixing the refrigerant leak will increase the life of the equipment.
Additionally, another factor that is likely costing you money is the heat pump is probably running out of refrigerant sometime in the winter, and you are heating with your backup heat source. The backup heat source, in most heat pumps, is electric heat strips — that cost more money to provide heat than running the heat pump condenser to produce heat.
R-410A and Fractionation | Rheem Heat Pump Troubleshooting
Rheem Heat Pump Troubleshooting for R-410A heat pumps. Another problem that can develop with a refrigerant leak in newer systems that use R-410A is fractionation. R-410A is a blended refrigerant comprised of two different refrigerants. It is considered a near-azeotropic but is still an azeotropic refrigerant. Okay, I know most people are scratching the backs of their heads right about now, so I will explain this.
An azeotropic refrigerant is a single refrigerant, while a zeotropic refrigerant is a blend of two (or more) different refrigerants. Under the right conditions, the blended refrigerant can separate and become fractionated from one of the blends to the other. That is why specific procedures must be followed when charging a system with azeotropic blended refrigerant.
When you have a refrigerant leak, the zeotropic refrigerant (which is R410A) tends to fractionize. Additionally, when fractionation occurs, you lose heat absorption properties, and pressures in the system become erratic, especially on the high side or in the condenser. Furthermore, when the tech continually recharges the system, he is putting a new refrigerant into a system that has fractionation. Furthermore, it is improbable he is getting the charge correct given the fractionation of the blends in the refrigeration system.
Therefore, it is crucial to fix the leak. As a part of the process of repairing the leak, all the refrigerant needs to be recovered and sent away for recycling. Once the leak is fixed, then a new virgin refrigerant should be used to recharge the system. Doing it this way avoids fractionation issues.
Finding the Problem | Rheem Heat Pump Troubleshooting
The first thing that happens is recovering any refrigerant in the system. The next thing is to pressurize the system with nitrogen. There are different methods; however, this is my favorite because I’ve had a very high success rate at fixing leaks using this method. Then the entire system is thoroughly checked with soap bubbles and listening for a leak. I’ve found a lot of refrigerant leaks in heat pumps with the accumulator.
However, the leak maybe somewhere else. Once the leak or leaks are found, then a repair can be made. Most of the time, it can be done right away. However, if there is a bad leak in a coil, sometimes the whole coil needs to be replaced. It depends on where the leak is located.
Air Source Heat Pump Tips | Dual Fuel Heating
A dual fuel heat pump is a heat pump with a gas furnace for backup heating rather than electric heat strips.
Air source heat pumps have a backup heating source. In most installations, the backup heating source is electric heat strips. Electric heat strips are very cheap to install in most cases. However, while electricity is generally regarded as 100% efficient, producing it is more costly than other heating methods. For a more efficient heat pump, consider a dual fuel heat pump, or a heat pump with a gas furnace for the backup heat source. It will be more costly to install, but your monthly bills will be reduced.
Once the leak is found and repaired, then the system is evacuated and retested for any other leaks. I use the HVAC triple refrigeration evacuation before recharging the system with refrigerant. That is an extensive process, and it ensures a couple of things with Rheem Heat Pump Troubleshooting
- that there are no other leaks.
- that all the moisture is and other bad things are removed from the refrigeration system.
Preventive Maintenance | Rheem Heat Pump Troubleshooting
After all, that is done and you are fixed I recommend you have the Rheem heat pump preventive maintenance done semi-annually. A quick check over everything and cleaning the coils can never hurt your Rheem heat pump. It also adds to the longevity of the equipment. Checking the refrigerant charge, electrical connections, and other important things need to be looked at to make sure no potential problems are developing with your heat pump. I hope this helps you.
Rheem Heat Pump Troubleshooting - The only reason I would not recommend you do this is if the Rheem heat pump system is more than nine years old. The money for an expensive repair would be better spent on a newer, more efficient system. Most residential HVAC equipment has a life expectancy of 15 years. After that time, it is ready to be changed for a more efficient system. It is amazing to hear from some of my customers and how much their electric bill went down after getting rid of their old system for a newer, more efficient system. Good Luck and I hope everything works out well for you!
Rheem Heat Pump Troubleshooting
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I have a Rheem heat pump model RPRL-049JEC and it has never defrosted the coils as it should. I have at least 3 techs to look at the unit and they were not able to correct it or tell me what to do, but to turn on the emergency when the coils freeze up. Every thing else operates properly but I cannot get the defrost cycle to work and therefore the unit does not heat my house after the coils freeze up. The unit is properly charged and the coils have been cleaned. Could you tell me what may be the problem and how to fix it. I am mechanicly inclined and hope I can fix it myself. Thanks for your help in advance, Arthur
I totally agree! When you have a Rheem unit you should prepare for the Rhem/ream job because you’re going to get it!!!
Water leaking from the bottom of my Rheem heat pump, a lot of it.It is a few months old. They put too much refrigerant into it so came back and took some out. They said it was icing up. It is leaking water again.
Cube has piping problem, never be right. Replace with Trane or American Standard system, Lennox OK too. Sold 14 of those Rheem hp, major trouble with every one
I have a Rheem heat pump and it’s a real pos. Have spent a small fortune on it. It don’t heat when you need heat and no cool when you need cool. I can’t afford anymore service calls. It’s not a very old unit. I’ve complained to Rheem several times but they could care less. My suggestion to anyone reading this. Do not buy anything with the name Rheem on it.
I have a Rheem heat pump,a/c works fine.I don’t get any heat just air from fan.
Probably time to call a professional if the the thermostat is set for heat and no heat is coming out. Try turning it to emergency or auxiliary heat and calling a pro to check this out.