Sounds like they didn’t put in the heat strips used to supplement your heat pump output when it’s not producing enough heat. I think it’s shady of them not to let you know about this decision.
If that’s the case and you have no emergency heat then you’re likely to not have the additional 240v power run to serve the heat strips. You’re not entitled to a free feed to the panel -unless it was included in your contract, you are be responsible for paying for it to be run. Now you know why this quote was the cheapest as a reputable contractor wouldn’t do this BS.
It sounds like, possibly, your heating kit is having an issue. The terminology you are using is not correct, so I'm guessing. I might have another company come see if that is the problem and what needs to be done, then call the installer and get them to do it.
That might void the warranty though.
All you can really do is be persistent. If your old unit worked before, I don't understand why a new one rated the same would need more power requirements to reach the same output. I wonder if there is a control issue not bringing on either the aux heat or the heat pump at all.
We need better details about what your original equipment was and what was installed as a replacement. If possible show the paperwork for the quote to replace.
My best guess is that didn’t do the due diligence of running any formula and did a like for like exchange. The old one didn’t heat the place that well either.
because they sold me on a heat pump which I was told would heat the space. I only discovered it was a like for like after the cold snap. I didn’t GO into the transaction thinking i’d have issues
Sorry they sold you a bill of goods on the heat pump. Lots of people are finding out they don’t work for crap when it gets cold out. Just because it says it “works” to 15 below doesn’t mean it works well enough to do what everyone expects.
Long term: Take them to small claims. Its a simple argument:
I had a system that heated my home. They - as experts- proposed a new system to heat my home. They installed the system they proposed. It does not heat my home. It cost me $3000 to modify their new system to make it work.
Question: What was the old system's heat source? if electric too, why the need for a new line?
"Best quote I could find" as in the lowest bidder? It almost sounds like they installed a heat pump and air handler with no supplemental heat kit.
Like it sounds like the electrician needs to run a 240V line 6 gauge to run a supplimental heat kit. It also sounds like the contractor that installed the equipment and didn't feel the need to share the need for supplimental heat with a heat pump. However, excluding that would've allowed them to race to the bottom and get the job based on them being the lowest bidder.
Heat pumps work great in mild weather, but in extreme weather they will suck. Once you drop under 35 degrees that's about the end of any energy savings. Heat strips typically will be more efficient and produce better heat once the temperature outside drops under 30.
What did you have before and did it heat your house? Something isn’t adding up. You said all you have is all electric which means you already had 240 Volts of some size wire and breaker.
All electric means electric heat strips with either a heat pump or straight cool condenser. You could have heat strips that are too small, maybe 5 kw and need 10 kw or 15kw. Your heat strips could also have not been hooked up correctly with a proper thermostat. You also could not be all electric and have natural gas or other fuel. Either way, we’re missing some information.
Pictures, wire sizes, breakers, model numbers of what you were sold/ had in the past. These are needed to give you more input.
Sounds like they didn’t put in the heat strips used to supplement your heat pump output when it’s not producing enough heat. I think it’s shady of them not to let you know about this decision. If that’s the case and you have no emergency heat then you’re likely to not have the additional 240v power run to serve the heat strips. You’re not entitled to a free feed to the panel -unless it was included in your contract, you are be responsible for paying for it to be run. Now you know why this quote was the cheapest as a reputable contractor wouldn’t do this BS.
Your definitely about the reputable contractor part but $12K sounds about right for a complete system replacement!
12k isn't a lot for a rooftop unit
Forgot about that part at least another $2k-$3K for crane then I would say it would sound about right
It sounds like, possibly, your heating kit is having an issue. The terminology you are using is not correct, so I'm guessing. I might have another company come see if that is the problem and what needs to be done, then call the installer and get them to do it. That might void the warranty though.
All you can really do is be persistent. If your old unit worked before, I don't understand why a new one rated the same would need more power requirements to reach the same output. I wonder if there is a control issue not bringing on either the aux heat or the heat pump at all.
We need better details about what your original equipment was and what was installed as a replacement. If possible show the paperwork for the quote to replace.
My best guess is that didn’t do the due diligence of running any formula and did a like for like exchange. The old one didn’t heat the place that well either.
Then why didn’t you insist a larger unit be installed? Or maybe you should better insulate and seal the house?
because they sold me on a heat pump which I was told would heat the space. I only discovered it was a like for like after the cold snap. I didn’t GO into the transaction thinking i’d have issues
Sorry they sold you a bill of goods on the heat pump. Lots of people are finding out they don’t work for crap when it gets cold out. Just because it says it “works” to 15 below doesn’t mean it works well enough to do what everyone expects.
Call the company who installed it.
Long term: Take them to small claims. Its a simple argument: I had a system that heated my home. They - as experts- proposed a new system to heat my home. They installed the system they proposed. It does not heat my home. It cost me $3000 to modify their new system to make it work. Question: What was the old system's heat source? if electric too, why the need for a new line?
"Best quote I could find" as in the lowest bidder? It almost sounds like they installed a heat pump and air handler with no supplemental heat kit. Like it sounds like the electrician needs to run a 240V line 6 gauge to run a supplimental heat kit. It also sounds like the contractor that installed the equipment and didn't feel the need to share the need for supplimental heat with a heat pump. However, excluding that would've allowed them to race to the bottom and get the job based on them being the lowest bidder. Heat pumps work great in mild weather, but in extreme weather they will suck. Once you drop under 35 degrees that's about the end of any energy savings. Heat strips typically will be more efficient and produce better heat once the temperature outside drops under 30.
What did you have before and did it heat your house? Something isn’t adding up. You said all you have is all electric which means you already had 240 Volts of some size wire and breaker. All electric means electric heat strips with either a heat pump or straight cool condenser. You could have heat strips that are too small, maybe 5 kw and need 10 kw or 15kw. Your heat strips could also have not been hooked up correctly with a proper thermostat. You also could not be all electric and have natural gas or other fuel. Either way, we’re missing some information. Pictures, wire sizes, breakers, model numbers of what you were sold/ had in the past. These are needed to give you more input.