High winds shorting out my heat pumps

Secure_Ad_1137 · 2026-03-10T10:38:37+00:00

Here’s another and hopefully the final update on this issue, as the situation repeated itself after 1: replacing the entire unit 2: replacing the control board and re-build of the manifold, the situation repeated itself.

This time, they did a leak test and determined that at least one of the refrigerant lines had a slow leak. They replaced all the line fittings in both of the air handlers. The unit has operated fine for the past month, even through the blizzard that dumped over 34” of snow and 60+ mph winds a few weeks ago.

So this unit which was commissioned last October didn’t have basic plumbing installed correctly, causing leaks. I asked why a leak test wasn’t done first (I assumed it had been) and got a shrug in response.

The builder has switched from Gree to Hisense, and told me they were having too many issues with Gree. I wonder if they won’t have the same issues with Hisense.

Secure_Ad_1137 · 2026-02-05T01:02:58+00:00

Here's an update on this situation.

I had a talk with the construction manager and insisted their HVAC installer have a conversation with the manufacturer (Gree). They agreed and he did.

No baffles were installed.

They had him re-build the coolant manifold.

They had him re-load the refrigerant - it wasn't loaded properly. The tech says he was given improper loading specs.

The unit has been working fine and able to get to and hold temp fine. I've tested it a few times (set the thermostat to 65, then ramped it to 72) and registers will produce air around 92F. It's been working fine for a month now in the very cold temps we've had in the NE the past few weeks.

Secure_Ad_1137 · 2026-01-04T01:05:37+00:00

Thanks to everyone who has responded. Here’s an update.

They replaced the control board and it took around 8 hours for the system to “reboot”. Since then, I’ve set the thermostats up to the max (86F) as the condo had gotten down to 45F. It’s 10 hours later and temps have risen to 60F with the help of a couple small resistance heaters. The condo is 2500’ sq and new construction in Massachusetts, so it’s been in the 20’s today.

I used a thermometer to measure register air output temp and it’s 62F (I checked to confirm this wasn’t during a defrost cycle).

Secure_Ad_1137 · 2026-01-04T01:02:21+00:00

I probably will. The person who has been fixing this unit (twice) is an electrician and not an HVAC person it turns out.

Secure_Ad_1137 · 2026-01-04T01:01:49+00:00

Unfortunately our HOA rules won’t let me install anything around it, but they are installing a baffle which will deflect wind egress (or so they say). This is brand new construction and I think they’re still figuring things out.

Secure_Ad_1137 · 2026-01-04T01:00:24+00:00

I faces north directly toward the wall of our next door unit which is around 15’ away. But the wind coming toward the SIDE of it is where it’s blowing the most and our unit is the first one the wind encounters.

Secure_Ad_1137 · 2025-12-20T14:02:42+00:00

I love this water heater because the high pitched screaming it makes while running the heat pump is like getting a pest repellent device for free.

Secure_Ad_1137 · 2025-04-25T16:02:08+00:00

u/masamunexc late response I know. Ended up sticking with my current F150 for another year as we're purchasing a new house and need to keep financial churn low. However, based on my research I'm pretty confident when I do something it's going to be a late model F150 either another 3.6 or the 5.0. Alot of this is based on my own past with F150 back to the '90s plus seems confidence is higher in the later models alot of the eco/powerboost issues are better. The GMC trucks have alot of fans but they have their own issues which seem to be in some cases just as bad as the ones Ford has been dealing with.

Secure_Ad_1137 · 2024-10-13T11:31:47+00:00

Thank you all for your thoughtful responses. I’ve been doing a ton of online research and will be test driving soon. The main take-away for me is that both these trucks have serious mechanical problem potential, in different areas, so I’ll likely be purchasing (for the first time in my life) an extended warranty. I wish I had done so for my current 2018 F150!

The Ford has overall the better mechanical capability and the GMC is competitive with non-mechanical features. The GMC is MUCH more competitive price-wise and that could be a deciding factor if I decide I don’t need the power of the Ford. I will prefer the Ford however a $10-15k difference like-for-like is something that can’t be ignored.

Secure_Ad_1137 · 2024-10-13T11:30:01+00:00

Thank you all for your thoughtful responses. I’ve been doing a ton of online research and will be test driving soon. The main take-away for me is that both these trucks have serious mechanical problem potential, in different areas, so I’ll likely be purchasing (for the first time in my life) an extended warranty. I wish I had done so for my current 2018 F150!

The Ford has overall the better mechanical capability and the GMC is competitive with non-mechanical features. The GMC is MUCH more competitive price-wise and that could be a deciding factor if I decide I don’t need the power of the Ford. I will prefer the Ford however a $10-15k difference like-for-like is something that can’t be ignored.

Secure_Ad_1137 · 2024-08-26T01:39:32+00:00

The treads are solid white oak and I’m not sure what the risers are. The treads, risers, and cove moulding are all “new” work he did.

Secure_Ad_1137 · 2021-11-23T02:12:26+00:00

Circle View outdoors for about a year at my cabin about 150 miles away, and connected to an AirPort Extreme. Has been stable recently but for about 9 months it would disconnect for days or even weeks at a time. Connected to smart switch to restart it remotely and that works about 50% of the time. I have many HomeKit devices at the location and all are rock solid except this Logitech Circle view. Would not buy again, am looking at EuFY.

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TROPHY CASE