Category: Mr Cool Heat pump

No comments

Central Heat Pump Installation: Efficient and Cost-Saving Upgrade

  By

This Central Heat Pump ranks as the most time consuming repair I have done since moving here 3 years ago, Though finding many other issues while installing the units it clearly created other work that was needed, example the wood siding boards had to be replaced, wiring was not secured, plastic vapor barrier missing, etc. etc.

3 weeks later We’ve been impressed with the temps coming out the vents both in heat mode and AC. No propane gas furnace for us this winter! The propane company already sent me a notice of price increase from $2.29 (Last Year) to $2.69 Gal. My tank holds 320 Gallons. Now we only have the stove running on gas.

This new system Mr Cool Universal has great reviews and uses much less power than the old Rheem Gas Pack.

New siding is up and painted it today, next I will brick up half the opening that was used for the old unit return and supply lines, fabricate an access door, then I need to enclose the indoor unit wit a wall and door.

Click here to see the start of this project. On a side note my ‘smart’ thermostat had to be reconfigured to run the heat pump, this took a phone call to SENSI support as it would not switch off AC mode to heat.

3 Comments

Issues Uncovered during Central Heat Pump Replacement: Wood Damage, Improper Sealing, and More

  By

The central heat pump preparation for replacement (No surprise) has uncovered more issues needing to be addressed, first the old unit was covered where it meets the crawlspace however it was not sealed properly thus water got behind it ad damaged the wood.

Besides the wood damage they knocked down the brick to the ground allowing rain water to seep into the crawlspace, the area where the metal ducts were also had no vapor barrier! They were mostly laying on dirt!.

To my surprise the old Rheem packaged unit was sitting on what I describe as fake cement! It is styrofoams coated with a hard resin, but sitting on good looking brick! (see pic’s) I know they sell pads to place AC’s on however I really thought this was on cement!

I had to pour cement to create a curb to stop ground water from entering the crawl. All the ductwork is going to relocated and raised, the old ductwork was in sections with metal straps holding them together, NO seam tape was used, I found plenty of air leaks on both the supply side and return side.

In short it’s a quagmire mess, electrical wires hanging not secured, drain pipe laying on ductwork, insulation falling down, missing plastic vapor barrier, etc.

This will take much more work and time to repair properly including brick and siding repairs to be done after system is installed.