Carrier Hvac System Compressor Repair

by Tina
(Fort Worth)

Would never recommend a Carrier system to anyone. After 2 years had to have the compressor repaired which cost us over $1200, that was last summer, this summer it's still not cooling.

We've used 2 different companies and 4 technicians have come out to look at it with no luck.

B. Markstahler replies a HVAC Service Manager

Tina,

Not a Carrier fan myself, next time purchase an Amana product I believe you will have better luck. However compressor failure in two years is by one of the following causes:

A) compressor was a bad piece from the factory, this option has about a 2% chance of being the cause.

B) Improper installation, this has a 98% chance of being the problem. Proper sizing of equipment for the home, proper sizing of ductwork to move the appropriate amount of air for the equipment installed, Evaporator coil, refrigerant lines and condensing unit are all parts of the same refrigeration system and should all be matched to operate together, the blower drive in either the furnace or air handler that circulates the inside air should be capable of the appropriate amount of air movement for the cooling equipment,utilization of proper refrigeration practices in the installation is paramount.

Fact of the matter is 90 to 95% of all residential air distribution ducts are undersized for the equipment it is attached to.

Fact improper practices by low bid non-qualified contractors lead to approximately 80%+ of component failures in H/AC equipment. Fact in most areas there are no set qualifications to be an HVAC contractor.

Fact as long as people do not read and shop based on price and not quality this situation will continue to happen. Fact while I empathize with your plight, you need to locate the competent contractor within 100 miles of your home (there is normally one within reach) contact them and pay them to perform an analysis of your system, not your equipment but, your system.

If they are competent they will take a ton of measurements, they will then calculate total system air flow capacity of your distribution ducts and equipment, they will calculate the heat load and loss of your home to verify that the equipment installed is in the proper range for your home, they will based upon science and engineering recommend what you should do to correct your issue.

Otherwise you will likely continue replacing parts and unfortunately compressors as well until you replace the whole thing again which will likely still not solve the problem only the symptom.

Manufacturer's limited Warranty throughout the industry and most others is a Part warranty, they supply only the replacement part - labor and materials are the responsibility of the owner - most contractors will cover labor and materials on thier installation for 1-year following installation.

Hope this helps- Good Luck!