To pump up, or not to pump up?

RoBoTeq

I have raised the question of using pump ups or other methods to raise heat pumps above pads for proper defrost melt off drainage elsewhere. Since some who post here do not post on some other forums, I am interested in hearing what you use, how it works out for you, and what do you think might be better.

beenthere

I use a 3/4" vibration pad to raise them up.

LOL... J/K, I use 6" pump ups.

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RoBoTeq

Have you seen the Heat Pump Pad that is an 8" high star shaped single piece pad?

beenthere

No I haven't.

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RoBoTeq

I've been getting my contractors to use this thing so I don't have damaged coil issues from ice forming around the bottom rows of coils and crushing them.
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Attached Images

heatpumppad.jpg (6.6 KB, 44 views)

beenthere

Now thats cool.

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RoBoTeq

It also eliminates having to mess with situating pump ups and having to have two people set the heat pumps.

The base is sloped higher toward the center so that any buildup of ice or snow sheds off of the base when it melts.

It only comes in 36" by 36" from what I can tell, but we are being told that other sizes are being considered. It looks really nice under JCI premium cabinet heat pumps.

beenthere

Not sure it will support the compressor in YZE and YZH models though. The base of those models as you may recall is plastic.

But looks like its about ideal for any model that has a metal base.

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How many times must one fix something before it is fixed?

RoBoTeq

It is actually ideal for composit based units because it gives more support in more areas then do pump ups, even if you use 5 or six pump ups.

The composit based units are mostly what I encourage contractors to use these heat pump pads for.

There is less chance of sound vibrations from not getting the pump ups under the compressor section properly as well. I have not had one complaint from any of my contractors who use these things other then they wish they came in different sizes.

beenthere

Cool. I'll keep them in mind.

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How many times must one fix something before it is fixed?

RoBoTeq

We have plenty of them in stock. You can order one with every system you order

seatonheating

Don't need to raise them up here.

RoBoTeq

Why not? Your temperatures never go to freezing? Your coils never frost up? With that misty stuff you guys call rain going on all of the time, I would think you could have some major issues.

Just because you don't get snow does not mean you won't have problems with ice. One of the worst things our industry has done is to call pump ups "snow legs".

seatonheating

33 years old, 16 in the industry, and I have never seen a heat pump have ice buildup issues here.

When it is cold here, it is usually fairly dry.

Bottom-line, it WILL NOT happen here.

RoBoTeq

Cockeyness such as this will bite you in the butt someday. Would it not be better to not only spend a few dollars for insurance against a thing that physics dictates can happen? Would it not be a great marketing concept to differentiate your company from the others who are not taking the extra precautions to avoid possible disasterous issues?

Here are the facts; If the amount of moisture in the air and the temperature of the heat pump coil drop below relative dew point, then heat pumps should be raised off of pads to allow for proper drainage of melted frost/ice during defrost.

Judging by this forcast for Washington State, I'd say that only fools would take a chance on not raising heat pumps up off of pads so that they can drain off during defrost cycles; I have more then twice the years in the HVAC industry that you have, and a third of those years has been spent specifically looking at failed equipment installed by others. Just because you have not yet seen, or more likely not recognized, issues caused by iceing, does not mean they don't exist.

Instead of denying a fact of physics, why not use the knowledge to better yourself and do better for your customers?

seatonheating

Robin, you are posting current conditions of Snoqualmie Pass, a ski resort. Get real man and do some research before you start thinking you know more about my area than I.

That being said, it is fairly cold up there. If I was installing a system there I assure you I would use different methods. Even though most of the year it is still pretty drippy.

Trust me, to even conceive of doing it in the Puget Sound area is nonsense.

RoBoTeq

That is exactly the kind of talk I get from most installer's who I have to refuse warranty on a crushed tubing coil for. No seaton, I cannot trust someone who is implying that the laws of physics do not apply to his area because he has not personal seen or realized an issue can occur.

seatonheating

I know, I know, you'll take it to your grave...blah blah blah.

I've chipped ice away from many an AC or HP that the defrost has failed and have never seen a coil damaged as the result. I'm talking 12-18" of ice, serious stuff!!

It's not an issue. Pump ups are for the purpose giving a heat pump proper intake air during operation. This talk of crushed coils is ridiculous.

beenthere

Pump ups have nothing to do with proper intake air during operation. They are for the aid of drainage during defrost.

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How many times must one fix something before it is fixed?

seatonheating

Obviously, which I guarantee you isn't an issue here. Even with an old timer-defrost system you still never get more than a skim-coat of frost buildup in our marine climate. Doesn't take 4-6" of area underneath the unit to drain this, the factory drainage works fine.

Now, as Robin linked to, if I am installing a heat pump up at the Summit of Snoqualmie Pass, or any point above 2000', I am definitely going to use different methods.

But as stated before, it isn't necessary here in the Sound.