4 yr old heat pump needs new txv (???) - http://www.hvacmechanic.com/ Forums

Original message

justagirl

63.224.158.211

"4 yr old heat pump needs new txv (???)" , posted Fri 5 Mar 00:46

Hi! I have a 4 year old Amana heat pump that has quit heating my house. The serviceman said that the txv valve (???) is defective. He said it is extremely rare for it to go out in such a new unit, but I'm the unlucky one that it happened to. The part is still covered under the manufacturer's warrantly, but the labor quote I received is for over $800. Does this sound like a normal price for labor? I'm just a girl who has no idea about any of this. The company doing the repair is the same one who installed the new unit and does my yearly maintenance. I have never had a problem with them before, but I'm concerned that I might be getting overcharged for something that shouldn't really go out this soon in the first place. I guess I would just like some reassurance that I'm not being taken advantage of. Thank you!

Replies:

Mastertech

68.95.148.255

"Re(1):4 yr old heat pump needs new txv (???)" , posted Sat 5 Mar 17:06

Replacing a TXV can be very difficult but even then im thinking in the range of $400 under warranty and out of warranty $500 to $600. Get another price and opinion.

cesarin78801

67.136.139.182

"Re(1):4 yr old heat pump needs new txv (???)" , posted Fri 11 Jun 22:45

i think that is a lot of money for an under warranty part
i can do it for $450.00

matt8085

24.62.163.143

"Re(1):4 yr old heat pump needs new txv (???)" , posted Sat 6 Mar 12:04

I would absolutley get another estimate. The valve is covered under the warranty and they're telling you that the labor is $800? That is absurd!!! The average labor rate is about 60-70 dollars per hour. Even if it was 80 per hour, thats 10 hours of labor to change an expansion valve??? you gotta be kidding me!!
I've changed at least a dozen or more txv's in my career and it's never taken me more than 4 to 5 hours, TOPS. That's including reclaiming the refrigerant, changing the valve and filter drier, leak checking, evacuation and recharging. Make sure they're not trying to sell you new refrigerant or something. What ever they take out, they can put right back in.
Good luck. Matt

xenos
Webmaster

67.71.20.113

"Re(1):4 yr old heat pump needs new txv (???)" , posted Fri 5 Mar 06:45

I would recommend a second estimate.

Xenos.

The best way to escape a problem is to solve it.