Carrier Infinity 21 - Disappointed! - http://www.hvacmechanic.com/ Forums
Original message
| gbreezer80
 |  "Carrier Infinity 21 - Disappointed!"
, posted Sat 5 Jul 10:02  
I just had a 21 seer Infinity system installed which I was extremely eager to get after all of the hype and talk up from websites and sales guys, but boy am I disappointed! Sure, the control looks sexy and the outdoor unit is a beast, but I feel I did not get my money's worth. (24ana1, 58cva, cnphp, gapaa)
In addition to the complete system install, I had the Air Purifier installed too. I can't even tell if it is on - air still seems to "smell" the same.
Furthermore, all of my ducts were replaced with larger duct sizes. The duct board boxes were replaced with metal wyes. I thought at a minimum, this would help. Sure, some rooms are cooler than before, still haven't noticed a significant difference from my old 10 seer.
Here are my questions:
1) The condenser unit makes a rather irritating humming noise both in low and high stages; definitely not as quiet as my refrigerator as the marketing material states. Is this normal to have a hum?
2) Other than the light on the Air Purifier panel, how do I know that it is really working? I have portable units and when on, I can actually smell the difference in my home.
3) Is there a "rule" on the number/size of ducts that should be installed on the plenum? Wonder if there are too many holes poked in the plenum and starving air from some rooms.
4) What should the humidity control be set to? It is currently set at 50% and 77 degrees (sometimes i bump it down to 76) - depending on the hot Texas heat.
5) My system seems to run in the low stage all day long - is this normal? Doesn't seem this would be energy efficient.
By the way, I had already asked my Carrier service guy these questions where I was "assured" everything is ok. Hmmmm
I would appreciate any advice.
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Replies:
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| theduke03
| "Re(1):Carrier Infinity 21 - Disappointed!" , posted Sat 5 Jul 10:10:
Blasphemy. I've never heard such complaints. You obviously have not recieved your power bill yet. The gapa air purifier works differently than other air cleaners. It does not produce a smell and works better. If the light is on, it's working. The smell from the other units is probably ozone, which is not good for you anyway. The added ductwork was probably needed to achieve proper airflow and rated performance. As for the noise your windows should be shut so you can't hear it. Wait untill your bill comes in. Then you will be singing a different tune!
Running in 1st stage all day is the most efficient, and comfortable.
"My dad was the most feared furnace fighter in Northern Indiana."
[this message was edited by theduke03 on Sat 5 Jul 10:13] |
| | gbreezer80
| "Re(2):Carrier Infinity 21 - Disappointed!" , posted Sat 5 Jul 10:38
I hope so...regarding the electric bill.
Should I be hearing a hum? By the way, my double paned windows are closed and can still hear it whine.
Here is some system info from my Control: Airflow CFM - 1680, Coil Temp - 87, Blower RPM 1067, Static Pressure - .70, Line Voltage - 237
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| | Houston204
| "Re(3):Carrier Infinity 21 - Disappointed!" , posted Sat 5 Jul 10:55
How many other systems display this information at the stat. 0
"Tip of the Day" Remember to remove power first.
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| | theduke03
| "Re(3):Carrier Infinity 21 - Disappointed!" , posted Sat 5 Jul 10:53
Did your tech show you how to access that menu? I make it a point to keep the customer out of it. When entering the menu I stand real close so they can't see what I'm doing.
I can't comment on the noise without hearing it but those units are normally quiet. If everything is operating properly then the only way to fix noise is to replace the noisy part, which does not guarantee that new part will be any different.
Is there a chance that the unit is sitting on a new plastic pad with a hollow spot underneath? Sometimes this can cause an amplifying effect but that is a stretch. Only way to check is to pry up one side of the pad and look, I understand that the unit is massive so this would be quite difficult.
"My dad was the most feared furnace fighter in Northern Indiana."
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| | gbreezer80
| "Re(4):Carrier Infinity 21 - Disappointed!" , posted Sat 5 Jul 11:25:
No, tech didn't show me...just inquisitive by nature.
The pad is a concrete pad on top of soil...it is level on all sides as well. Being the unit is only a few days new, I would hope not to have replaced any parts.
[this message was edited by gbreezer80 on Sat 5 Jul 11:25] |
| | theduke03
| "Re(5):Carrier Infinity 21 - Disappointed!" , posted Sat 5 Jul 11:52
Do this: Go to outdoor unit and put pressure on various parts of the casing, fan grille, and lid. It could just be a loose side panel or a loose screw causing a squeal. If you push on an area and the sound stops then you have found the source. If screws are tight then you may have to wedge a small piece of something somewhere to stop it.
"My dad was the most feared furnace fighter in Northern Indiana."
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| | gbreezer80
| "Re(6):Carrier Infinity 21 - Disappointed!" , posted Sat 5 Jul 22:11
Tried different pressure points, but still same loud hum/whine. I did place my ear around the unit and the loudest sound is coming from the front & rear left side of the unit. My installer ran 1-1/8" line set as recommended by the carrier manual and put a 90 degree elbow just off of the connection to the unit. Total length of the line set is about 38ft. Not sure if I mentioned this before, but it whines in both the low and high stages.
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| | theduke03
| "Re(7):Carrier Infinity 21 - Disappointed!" , posted Sat 5 Jul 22:28
Well you can't win 'em all. You will just have to live with a noise while otherwise enjoying your new Infinity.
"My dad was the most feared furnace fighter in Northern Indiana."
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| | gbreezer80
| "Re(8):Carrier Infinity 21 - Disappointed!" , posted Sat 5 Jul 22:38
Another question....I have the N coil installed. Is this a decent one? How does it compare to the A coil?
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| | theduke03
| "Re(9):Carrier Infinity 21 - Disappointed!" , posted Sun 6 Jul 09:18
A coil is a coil. That N coil is decent enough for a 21 seer system. They are difficult to clean but with your Gapa filter(maintained regularly) your coil will remain spotless and never need cleaning. Having said that it will work the same as an A coil. I'm not sure but I think the purpose of the N is to save height on the coil. You should see some of the new A coils, Huge.
"My dad was the most feared furnace fighter in Northern Indiana."
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| | gbreezer80
| "Re(8):Carrier Infinity 21 - Disappointed!" , posted Sat 5 Jul 22:36
Thx for the posts....I will continue to work with my technician and Carrier to see what can be done. As an update, I am growing to like the Infinity afterall, but the whine is a nuisance for now as the unit is just outside my home office window.
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| | yuri
| "Re(9):Carrier Infinity 21 - Disappointed!" , posted Sun 6 Jul 11:05
Get your installer to buy some refrigeration vibrasorber pads and put them under the unit if it did not come with special rubber isolation mounts. The high end Lennox XC15 and 21 come with them.
Yuri
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| | gbreezer80
| "Re(10):Carrier Infinity 21 - Disappointed!" , posted Sun 6 Jul 18:23
I'll mention this to him, but doubtful it will work as the sound is not from under the unit. I placed some other absorber type of material and the problem still persists. I'll post what the final outcome is once it is determined, but I am open for more suggestions.
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| | gbreezer80
| "Re(2):Re(10):Carrier Infinity 21 - Disappoint" , posted Sun 6 Jul 22:19
So you are saying this is normal? If so, why does carrier in the marketing brochures compare this to sound ratings of a refrigerator? I can say my refrig does not make this sound!!! Maybe in the 1960's, but not now. 70 db's is quite low, right next to that of a portable fan. The sound is that of a cheap hand held hair dryer screaming for attention. In fact, my honda lawn mower at idle is much easier to listen to.
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| | gbreezer80
| "Re(3):Re(10):Carrier Infinity 21 - Disappoint" , posted Tue 15 Jul 20:27
OK - Problem Solved!!!! The tech came back out and installed a new fan motor. This corrected the problem! Strange that motor was bad from the get-go. Also, the motor was too hot too touch, so there must have been some sort of bearing issue.
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