Heat pump / compressor problem

[william carr]

I have a heat pump system with gas filled collectors buried under the garden.
I believe the compressor has stopped working and will need replacing.
1.How do I replace the compressor without loosing the gas in the earth collectors.
2. How can I check to see if the gas is in the collectors before I start the repair.
the system is from NEURA based in Austria

 

[Norcon]

Thats a specialist job with specialist equipment needed.
A refrigeration engineer will have to look at your system to correctly diagnose the problem.

What makes you think the compressor has stopped working and why would you want to spend £500 plus for a new compressor when this may not be the problem.

Direct expansion systems need careful consideration given to the design and installation of the ground loop !.
Without traps located in the correct positions the oil may fail to return to the compressor and then you end up with a severly damaged compressor.


Was the system installed by fridge engineers and fitters and if so why not contact them ?.

 

[doitall]

Interesting technology. They have an supplier in Ireland, I think it would be best to call them.


NEURA heat pumps achieve higher performances at lower expenditure! Because in the NEURA heat pumps the refrigerant propane circulates directly in the earth collectors and absorbs the energy (direct evaporation). It works without the auxiliary cycle with heat exchanger and brine circulation pump, required in the case of brine systems. That means increased operating reliability with fewer components and an approx. 15% higher efficiency. NEURA continues to increase the efficiency further by a generously dimensioned internal heat exchanger (residual heat utilization) and stepless electronic speed regulation (PCS technology).

 

[fender]

Thats a specialist job with specialist equipment needed.
A refrigeration engineer will have to look at your system to correctly diagnose the problem.

What makes you think the compressor has stopped working and why would you want to spend £500 plus for a new compressor when this may not be the problem.

Direct expansion systems need careful consideration given to the design and installation of the ground loop !.
Without traps located in the correct positions the oil may fail to return to the compressor and then you end up with a severly damaged compressor.


Was the system installed by fridge engineers and fitters and if so why not contact them ?.

....Spot on.

The compressor may not be running for many different reasons. It may be due to the lp/hp control, thermostat, faulty control wiring, contactor failure, etc...

Beside this, it's now mandatory to hold a safe handling of refrigerant certificate / card before you can carry out any work on such a system. I believe that the penalty's can be severe if you don't. Even the release of refrigerant to atmosphere, can be subject to a fine of up to £20,000 and / or six month's in the nick.

...Get a qualified refrigeration engineer in..........

 

[Agile]

You dont want to release refrigerant to atmosphere do you!

...Get a qualified refrigeration engineer in..........

Let the engineer do it for you!



How long has the system been installed for?

 

[fender]

You dont want to release refrigerant to atmosphere do you!

...Get a qualified refrigeration engineer in..........

Let the engineer do it for you!



How long has the system been installed for?

...You are very naughty! Are you suggesting that refrigeration engineers still release refrigerant?

 

[doitall]

Any of you fridge guys read this bit.

refrigerant propane

 

[Agile]

As propane is a hydrocarbon then its probably still a greenhouse gas.

Whilst the refrigerant rules were concocted in respect of the most common gases used I expect they still apply to all gases used for that purpose.

Churchills second bunker ( Paddock ) had an a/c system working on amonia I expect!

At least an advantage of propane as a refrigerant is that its cheap and easy to buy even if all the screws go backwards!

Tony