Carrier AC Compressors

[RC Rosenfeld]

Built home in 2013. Put in top of the line AC unit from Carrier. 4+ years later the Compressor blew out and was replaced under warranty. 2 years later, same thing happens. AC compressor blows out and needs to be replaced. Compressor is under warranty but now will cost $1,000 for labor to install, which is not covered under warranty. My research indicated that AC unit, including compressor should last 15-20 years. Appears to me that Carrier has bad compressor (2 blown in 6 years). Anyone have any similar problem/solution. Not a contractor problem. Munn has done a fine job in handling the replacement but I think Carrier should pay the labor cost to replace compressor unit. Any thoughts?

[HiHoSteveO]

I doubt that Carrier would agree with you that they should pay for the labor too, now that that part of the warranty has expired.
Rather than battle with Carrier, I suggest that you look for another HVAC company besides Munn's.

You should get at least 3 estimates anyway for this sort of repair.

[retiredguy123]

I agree that Carrier will probably not pay for the labor unless it were pursued by Munn's. In my experience, Carrier does not deal with individual customer issues. They expect their authorized dealers to resolve these problems. Sometimes, a compressor fails because of an incorrect installation with the refrigerant piping, a leak, or something else. But, if Munn's won't help you, I think you are out of luck.

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

Live had lots of homes in Florida, what your saying is something I’ve never heard before, it’s definitely an installation problem find Another company

[Toymeister]

My opinion is a 2013 Carrier "Performance Series" i.e. builders grade one stage a/c, will not last 15-20 years in central FL. 13 years is realistic.

[RARO1]

Live had lots of homes in Florida, what your saying is something I’ve never heard before, it’s definitely an installation problem find Another company

I second this!

I would say some thing else in your system is causing all these compressor failure, 90% of the compressor failures are because of other issues in the system, Bad TXVs, contamination from a previous bad compressor, moisture, not enough oil added, flow back issues, overheating etc.

You need an HVAC contractor with whole system troubleshooting experience. Not just someone who throws new parts at the issue.

[Packer Fan]

I had this happen to my HVAC this year. First time on a 2013 model so 7 years. Cost to install was $300 from Chuck Farrel. Chuck is the only company I will let touch my HVAC. You paid way to much. I will say Carrier from that year seems to be suspect.

[retiredguy123]

I had this happen to my HVAC this year. First time on a 2013 model so 7 years. Cost to install was $300 from Chuck Farrel. Chuck is the only company I will let touch my HVAC. You paid way to much. I will say Carrier from that year seems to be suspect.
Was the compressor under warranty? If so, I think you would be limited to it being replaced by a Carrier authorized dealer.

[irish2468]

AC usage with Florida living means it's running at least 9-10 months a year...that is going to shorten the life expectancy of any AC..buy an extended warranty. Is your unit under or over sized?

[Bethwill]

I think it could be a Carrier problem. We just had major repairs to a 6 yr old Carrier unit, paying for just the labor. We do not use Munns. Nothing is built to last anymore.

[Bay Kid]

I have 3 Carrier units. 2 have been replaced by top of the line Carrier units. 1 is 31 years old and still barely works. Not used often now. But only a few times a year since the kids left. You can see the meter spin when that unit is in use!

[rmd2]

I am much happier with Trane than I was with Carrier.

[Cheese]

Since AC units in Florida run 24/7 all year long. It's always wise to buy the 10 year extended warranty that most HVAC companies offer from the start. Unfortunately nothing we purchase today is made to last. :(

[davephan]

Could it be the location of the AC condenser? Is it in the full sun all day? I've heard that the AC condenser should be located in an area that has shade, not in full sun. I don't know if locating the AC condenser in full sun adds a lot of stress to the system, you'd have to ask some HVAC professionals, they should know that answer. When we replaced our HVAC system after the central AC failed, we re-located the AC condenser unit to the north side of the house, which is in the shade most of the time. This also had the benefit of less audible noise inside the house. Previously, the AC condenser was near the master bedroom and was audible at night. Now, we hardly hear the AC condenser anymore inside the house.

[retiredguy123]

Could it be the location of the AC condenser? Is it in the full sun all day? I've heard that the AC condenser should be located in an area that has shade, not in full sun. I don't know if locating the AC condenser in full sun adds a lot of stress to the system, you'd have to ask some HVAC professionals, they should know that answer. When we replaced our HVAC system after the central AC failed, we re-located the AC condenser unit to the north side of the house, which is in the shade most of the time. This also had the benefit of less audible noise inside the house. Previously, the AC condenser was near the master bedroom and was audible at night. Now, we hardly hear the AC condenser anymore inside the house.
That is an interesting question. But, if that were the problem, then there would be condensor failures everywhere. Millions of air conditioner condensing units are installed on rooftops on commercial and residential buildings around the world, with no shade at all. And, there is no way to plan a large housing development with shaded AC condenser locations as a design consideration.

[theruizs]

We built our home in 2012 and it has a Carrier installed by Munns. We have only used Munns for annual service. It is still going strong and we’ve had zero problems. Maybe the 2013 model is the issue?

[J1ceasar]

Last week we had mines and DeSantis how to look at our units we have a 4-ton unit in a 2000 foot house. They both said should last 12 to 15 years if Lucky. You can certainly look for an extended warranty but financially I think you can buy two units for the price of one when you do that

[Scorpyo]

I had this happen to my HVAC this year. First time on a 2013 model so 7 years. Cost to install was $300 from Chuck Farrel. Chuck is the only company I will let touch my HVAC. You paid way to much. I will say Carrier from that year seems to be suspect.
Thanks for you insight. I am not impressed with Munn's. They replaced a capacitor in my unit. I was not concerned with the cost to come nor the cost of the repair, however, after a little research I was not happy that they marked up the capacitor by almost 1000%. So, I will be saving the information you provided for future consideration. Incidentally, I bought another capacitor (exact same one) on-line for $14.00. They are actually simple to replace. I did call Carrier to get a part number. They refused to give it to me. Told me to call Munn's. Now I know why.

[BobnBev]

We have been very satisfied with Sunshine Air Conditioning.:bigbow:

[sloanst]

There are no top of the line AC units in the US. Everything is built to fail at a certain level of usage. It's called built in obsolescence and most US appliance manufacturers have used the concept since the 80's. Units will fail so you will be forced to have it repaired by a factory rep or to buy a new one. It is what it is. It is one of the central parts of this economy.

[RC Rosenfeld]

I am the original poster in this thread. Thanks for all the responses. I spoke to the Munn guys and told them of my concerns and many of the comments you have made concerning my situation. The Munn rep is going to discuss with Carrier rep and get back to me with anything they are willing to do. As many of you have stated, he doubts that the manufacturer will be willing to do anything. Of course I haven't been able to take your suggestions forward yet since losing AC in June in Florida doesn't allow for shopping around. However, I plan on having the Munn work inspected independently and investigating another service provider. Again, thanks for all the info.

[USA2170]

I put a mister system on my unit two years ago, big difference when temps are over 90..

[John41]

we are generally OK with Munns but they did a bad install of a Carrier in our garage and to their credit did come back four times to correct the problems from the first install. However water drips from the ac unit blower in the garage and we have to keep a pan under it to catch the leaks and Munns says that’s normal. Some of their techs have been excellent though.

[RARO1]

I put a mister system on my unit two years ago, big difference when temps are over 90..

Has it caused any issue with mineral deposits On the condenser coil? I have seen some systems having those issues, even with filters and softeners.

[Bay Kid]

Has it caused any issue with mineral deposits On the condenser coil? I have seen some systems having those issues, even with filters and softeners.

A Nova Filter system will fix this problem, along with providing great water.

[banjobob]

Sounds like my LG refrigerator 18 months compressor ,6 months later another compressor . Holding our breath know warranty is over.

[Nordy]

Once a compressor fails the replacement has a higher chance of failing than the original which was installed at the factory under ideal conditions. A replacement in the field is different. It also makes a HUGE difference what type of failure your first compressor experienced. Was it a severe burnout or stuck and wont start or just not pumping? It is important and many times very very difficult
sometimes extremely difficult to clean up a contaminated system. Did Munns install a dryer in the liquid line and if the failure was a burnout, did they install a filter/dryer in the suction line as well. In commercial systems with large compressors many times a follow up in a few days is done to see if filter/dryer is full of contaminants and needs to be replaced. Sorry you had this happen and I hope you are enjoying cool indoors