Cons: Freon Loop Seal Failed, Ground Loop Water Pump Failed, Compressor Failed.
I have had a WaterFurnace ES036 Heat Pump installed since August of 2004. I have had a few problems with the system in the past.
One problem existed as a result of maintenance. Apparently when a Tech was checking the freon loop pressure a pin hole was created by the probe in the rubber gasket. As a result, over three months, the system lost freon thus causing the system to operate inefficiently. The unit was just over 1 year old.
Another issue the Water Pump was found bad and replaced. Most notable though, the unit's Compressor went bad. This is a recent development which left me with two options. Either replace the Compressor or replace the Heat Pump with a new Heat Pump. Both options would cost me money. Apparently there has been quite a few problems with the Bristol Compressors installed in WaterFurnace units.
Option 1 replacing the Compressor would leave me with a unit which has a new compressor (not Bristol), and with no warranty on the new compressor. Cost to me to have this compressor replaced under warranty in about $660.00 US.
Option 2 would replace the Heat Pump with a new Heat Pump and a 10 year warranty. Cost to me to have the Heat Pump replaced with an Envision 3 Ton unit is $2,200.00 US. Supposedly there is a discount on the cost of the Heat Pump from WaterFurnace.
Overall the concept of Geothermal HVAC is good and there are a lot of benefits. I don't feel this particular Heat Pump has lived up to the cost of the unit. Geothermal HVAC systems are to be relatively maintenance free. I have had quite a few problems and have installed an extensive monitoring system so I can keep an eye on it. The monitoring system and trend charts can be found at www.duanesworld.net/duanesworld.net.geothermal.WEL.live.htm
One problem existed as a result of maintenance. Apparently when a Tech was checking the freon loop pressure a pin hole was created by the probe in the rubber gasket. As a result, over three months, the system lost freon thus causing the system to operate inefficiently. The unit was just over 1 year old.
Another issue the Water Pump was found bad and replaced. Most notable though, the unit's Compressor went bad. This is a recent development which left me with two options. Either replace the Compressor or replace the Heat Pump with a new Heat Pump. Both options would cost me money. Apparently there has been quite a few problems with the Bristol Compressors installed in WaterFurnace units.
Option 1 replacing the Compressor would leave me with a unit which has a new compressor (not Bristol), and with no warranty on the new compressor. Cost to me to have this compressor replaced under warranty in about $660.00 US.
Option 2 would replace the Heat Pump with a new Heat Pump and a 10 year warranty. Cost to me to have the Heat Pump replaced with an Envision 3 Ton unit is $2,200.00 US. Supposedly there is a discount on the cost of the Heat Pump from WaterFurnace.
Overall the concept of Geothermal HVAC is good and there are a lot of benefits. I don't feel this particular Heat Pump has lived up to the cost of the unit. Geothermal HVAC systems are to be relatively maintenance free. I have had quite a few problems and have installed an extensive monitoring system so I can keep an eye on it. The monitoring system and trend charts can be found at www.duanesworld.net/duanesworld.net.geothermal.WEL.live.htm
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