Home and Auto Do Heat Pumps Eat Squirrels?

FAX · 02-16-2009, 06:16 AM

I have a question for the Planet HVAC Elite.

There was a knock at our front door about 20 minutes ago and, upon answering, lo and behold there was one of our neighbors standing on the porch. In a series of frightened, breathless stammerings, he reported that our heat pump unit was making loud noises. Since he had to shout in order to make himself heard over the deafening din coming from the side of the house, I assumed that he was correct. Donning my coat, I ventured outdoors, approached the unit in question, and can now confirm that our heat pump unit is trying to launch itself into outer space.

My question is, what could cause such a thing? Do heat pumps have fan bearings? Belts? Do they warn the homeowner before exploding? Any advice on this matter would be appreciated as we are unsure whether or not to evacuate.

Thanks in advance.

FAX

Disclaimers: Sorry if repost.

Kerberos · 02-16-2009, 06:47 AM

Time to do a Google search for a licensed exorcist Mr. Fax.

FAX · 02-16-2009, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kerberos

Time to do a Google search for a licensed exorcist Mr. Fax.

I have contacted a Priest and we are awaiting authorization from the Vatican in order to perform the rites should that become necessary, Mr. Kerberos. Meanwhile, I'm hopeful that a Planet expert will contribute his opinion to this thread since Mike The HVAC Guy will be here sometime today and the haggling will begin in earnest.

If he tells me that the number 2 lipswitch has gone rogue and damaged the electrosensometer's capacitor coil, happens all the time, and that'll be $700 dollars, I'd like to be able to tell him to check the fan belt.

FAX

Chiefs=Champions · 02-16-2009, 07:15 AM

Anti freeze?

**Bugeater** · 02-16-2009, 07:17 AM

Probably a bad compressor bearing. Kiss it, and lots of your money, goodbye.

Coltman · 02-16-2009, 07:17 AM

and they do sound terrible. It may be costly to replace depending on what kind of heat pumb you own. Good luck!

FAX · 02-16-2009, 07:30 AM

So ... compressor bearing or fan bearing? Thanks, guys.

I know that the type of heat pump makes a difference, but if you were going to estimate a range of costs, what would it be?

Also, when your compressor and/or fan bearings have gone to the great mechanic in the sky, can you still run the heat pump? It warms the house ... just loudlyer than usual.

FAX

Kerberos · 02-16-2009, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FAX

So ... compressor bearing or fan bearing? Thanks, guys.

I know that the type of heat pump makes a difference, but if you were going to estimate a range of costs, what would it be?

Also, when your compressor and/or fan bearings have gone to the great mechanic in the sky, can you still run the heat pump? It warms the house ... just loudlyer than usual.

FAX

Whatever you do don't let him tell you it's a "muffler bearing" !!!1!!11!

Radar Chief · 02-16-2009, 07:50 AM

RUN AWAY!!

Fairplay · 02-16-2009, 07:52 AM

I'm not a fan of heat pumps. To me they run twice as much and you can barely feel any heat blowing out of them.

**BigRichard** · 02-16-2009, 08:02 AM

I would suggest turning on your emergency heat so it runs off of your furnace for now. You may damage something even worse costing even more money.

HonestChieffan · 02-16-2009, 08:10 AM

Mine was over 800 to replace some odd parts and stuff. Hope the squirrel is ok.

Chief Roundup · 02-16-2009, 09:00 AM

Man it could be a few things. Your condensor fan may may be out of balance. Think of a ceiling fan that wobbles but at 1057 rpms. A screw that holds the fan in position may of came out and is letting the fan hit the shrowd. A rubber mount might of came out of your compressor or the bearings in your compressor. But you need to shut it down so that this doesn't tear it up worse.

If you have to replace the fan motor it will probably be around 500. If it is the compressor going out you are looking at 1000.

FAX · 02-16-2009, 09:18 AM

Thanks guys. Appreciate the advice, information, and assistance.

Yes, Mr. BigRichard, I shut it off and activated the emergency heating system. We didn't hear it at first because the bedrooms are on the other side of the house (so we can't hear it). I hope I shut it off in time to prevent even more problems. We'll see.

Right now, I'm trying to remember if it could be under warranty. The unit is not very old in heat pump years.

FAX

Inspector · 02-16-2009, 09:36 AM

Call my middle son;

Neece Heating and Cooling
816-461-8200

It's his business and he knows his stuff.

I have 5 sons. One for just about any situation.

02-16-2009, 06:16 AM
FAX testing ... 1, 2, 3 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Tennessee Casino cash: $6753759	Do Heat Pumps Eat Squirrels? I have a question for the Planet HVAC Elite. There was a knock at our front door about 20 minutes ago and, upon answering, lo and behold there was one of our neighbors standing on the porch. In a series of frightened, breathless stammerings, he reported that our heat pump unit was making loud noises. Since he had to shout in order to make himself heard over the deafening din coming from the side of the house, I assumed that he was correct. Donning my coat, I ventured outdoors, approached the unit in question, and can now confirm that our heat pump unit is trying to launch itself into outer space. My question is, what could cause such a thing? Do heat pumps have fan bearings? Belts? Do they warn the homeowner before exploding? Any advice on this matter would be appreciated as we are unsure whether or not to evacuate. Thanks in advance. FAX Disclaimers: Sorry if repost.
Posts: 44,492

02-16-2009, 06:47 AM	#2
Kerberos Chiefs Baby Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Henderson, NV Casino cash: $10000632	Time to do a Google search for a licensed exorcist Mr. Fax.
Posts: 5,638

02-16-2009, 07:15 AM	#4
Chiefs=Champions Training Camp Hero Join Date: Oct 2006 Casino cash: $7974801	Anti freeze?
Posts: 6,001

02-16-2009, 07:17 AM	#5
Bugeater The Maintenance Guy Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Renovated Bugeater Estate Casino cash: $3992680	Probably a bad compressor bearing. Kiss it, and lots of your money, goodbye.
Posts: 70,546

02-16-2009, 07:17 AM	#6
Coltman Starter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Jefferson City, MO Casino cash: $9557617	Sounds like a fan bearing to me. I had one go out and they do sound terrible. It may be costly to replace depending on what kind of heat pumb you own. Good luck!
Posts: 51

02-16-2009, 07:30 AM	#7
FAX testing ... 1, 2, 3 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Tennessee Casino cash: $6753759	So ... compressor bearing or fan bearing? Thanks, guys. I know that the type of heat pump makes a difference, but if you were going to estimate a range of costs, what would it be? Also, when your compressor and/or fan bearings have gone to the great mechanic in the sky, can you still run the heat pump? It warms the house ... just loudlyer than usual. FAX
Posts: 44,492

02-16-2009, 07:50 AM	#9
Radar Chief Wearing ballistic dog goggles. Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: In the box. Casino cash: $2851503	RUN AWAY!! Attached Thumbnails
Posts: 25,543

02-16-2009, 07:52 AM	#10
Fairplay A certain set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: texas Casino cash: $10026683 VARSITY	I'm not a fan of heat pumps. To me they run twice as much and you can barely feel any heat blowing out of them.
Posts: 25,265

02-16-2009, 08:02 AM	#11
BigRichard Buddy Christ is a Chiefs fan Join Date: Nov 2008 Casino cash: $-1910454	I would suggest turning on your emergency heat so it runs off of your furnace for now. You may damage something even worse costing even more money. __________________ "You know, they lay down with their ugly wives in front of their ugly children and just look at their loser lives and then they look at me and say, "I CAN'T PROCESS IT!" Well, no, and you never will. Stop trying. Just sit back and enjoy the show .... You know?" Carlos Irwin Estevez
Posts: 11,336

02-16-2009, 08:10 AM	#12
HonestChieffan Seeking the Truth daily Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: In the Country in MO Casino cash: $-1595691	Mine was over 800 to replace some odd parts and stuff. Hope the squirrel is ok. __________________ "We read books for knowledge; We read the Bible for wisdom!"
Posts: 54,800

02-16-2009, 09:00 AM	#13
Chief Roundup Admitted Planet Junky Join Date: Oct 2000 Casino cash: $-1588373	Man it could be a few things. Your condensor fan may may be out of balance. Think of a ceiling fan that wobbles but at 1057 rpms. A screw that holds the fan in position may of came out and is letting the fan hit the shrowd. A rubber mount might of came out of your compressor or the bearings in your compressor. But you need to shut it down so that this doesn't tear it up worse. If you have to replace the fan motor it will probably be around 500. If it is the compressor going out you are looking at 1000. __________________ Fanaticism is nowhere. There is no tenderness or humanity in fanaticism.
Posts: 19,565

02-16-2009, 09:18 AM	#14
FAX testing ... 1, 2, 3 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Tennessee Casino cash: $6753759	Thanks guys. Appreciate the advice, information, and assistance. Yes, Mr. BigRichard, I shut it off and activated the emergency heating system. We didn't hear it at first because the bedrooms are on the other side of the house (so we can't hear it). I hope I shut it off in time to prevent even more problems. We'll see. Right now, I'm trying to remember if it could be under warranty. The unit is not very old in heat pump years. FAX
Posts: 44,492

02-16-2009, 09:36 AM	#15
Inspector MVP Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: K.C. Casino cash: $9914975	Call my middle son; Neece Heating and Cooling 816-461-8200 It's his business and he knows his stuff. I have 5 sons. One for just about any situation. __________________ As always, this is IMO.
Posts: 7,917