December 24, 2022 - Heat Pump Barely Making Heat

[@jpenn727]

I’m sure your customers are very appreciative of you working on Christmas Eve.

[@gyrgrls]

Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. In 1983, I had to yank an old tape deck from a car, figure out how to get it working, put it back together and reinstall it. That same day, another fellow at the ranch, who worked at a takeNbake pizza joint invited me to his store where we went upstairs, baked a pizza and listened to music on the radio. In 1990, I spent the whole day of DEC 25 In a laundromat ripping out a row of old stack driers, modding the opening in the wall, and installing the new ones. It was a good excuse to close the laundromat, being a holiday. I only charged my regular rate - no overtime. Saved the customer money. Christmas is a season of giving, not just receiving. A couple of years later, I had to swap out a gas valve on a floor furnace, and one was not immediately available. It was Thanksgiving day. Since I couldn't fix it for a few days, I never billed the customer. I'm sure the job was deferred, so there were no losers; only winners (especially the heating or HVAC company who ultimately got the job - LOL). There is a reason for the season. Most every tech I have known that is worth his salt has worked nights, holidays, sometimes under brutal conditions, just to get the job done, or at least try. It's nice to make money at doing something you like to do, but I can tell you that there were quite a few jobs that I hated. Admittedly, I even deferred a few of those... 😬

[@Its_Esoteric]

I think that’s triple time baby!

[@colleenlouise4521]

my plumber talked me out of buying a heat pump water heater, so glad he did

[@13kva10]

HAhaha brianwaldo.... You admire Curtis's OAT here in Ontario we just had rain, sleet, snow, then flash freeze from +4 to -20c..oh and high winds all in one 12 hr stretch but hey we just had our Christmas eve dinner as the apple that did not roll far from this tree just did his first holiday on call... out all day from 9 am to now.... So for all of those HVAC techs that are on call and saving the day.... salutations and many thanks cause were not thanked nearly enough... You all know what im talking about.... Cheers and merry Christmas to all hoping '23 to be a prosperous one....

[@larrymixer144]

The past few and next few days will strain the hvac units because of the temperatures that will call for more heat than many were designed for and will need to use some equipment that hasn't been called on for many years. Some may have been setting around with using components that have been needing repairs that are just being discovered. This and being Christmas holiday are going to call into play the Christmas Angels on earth that are call HVAC repair men. They come asap when the need is there and seldom do you hear them grumble. This year the need will be critical in many cases as these record temperatures are here. So bless you and all your cohorts who are coming to the rescue to so many and may all of you and your family have a blessed Christmas and a wonderful New Year.

[@Thataintnothing]

Retired 36 years at an Big utility Company ,Worked at one Point 20 Christmas in an Row , Tornado’s Floods ,Big. Gas Outagesand Super Cold Below zero !

[@boosted2.4_sky]

I just had mine replaced on Christmas Eve, Eve( December 23rd)..it was - 3ﾟ outside..( -20 windchill) And those technicians came in and kicked butt and put in a brand new Lennox furnace...Lowry Furnace ...thank you...✌️

[@ISRL380]

Dang that looked like a walk in the park for you. Knowledge is what you need. NICE

[@davidca96]

as a guy with a similar job where I have to be oncall, I always really appreciate the guys who go out on holidays to get things done for others especially heat. Mines internet related so we are similarly expected to get it done no matter the weather/holiday.

[@Boga217]

That filter and grill looked grimey! I was almost yelling at phone to stop spinning the drill and put pressure to get it loose and tight...you just kept doing it and doing it.

[@astateato]

Thanks!

[@HVACGUY]

Thanks man. Much appreciated. Hope the Holidays are good to you.

[@astateato]

@@HVACGUY Love your videos. You explain everything well and its interesting to watch how to fix problems. Happy New Year from Arkansas!

[@caru3257]

I was running calls 12 hours yesterday and my last one was an oil furnace in an attic. A float suction frozen in the oil tank took out the fuel pump. Merry Xmas.

[@dukes101]

I feel your pain, I'm a Hvac service Tech leaving his 4th job right now. It's 8 PM and I'm praying I don't get another one

[@acrservicesmathewr7565]

I had approximately 15 calls today. Thank god all of our techs were available. I was out on a navies from 7 to 11 at night waiting on a control board. Then a 0012 f4 pump spinning backwards on high eff gas boiler. Still getting calls. Can’t wait til the weather is back where it normally is.

[@tomgilfoyle6849]

We Northerners are finally able to get heat pumps that work for us; we made it through -13F with only the usual chill. The cold climate heat pumps still worked.

[@kens.3729]

-6 temp and a -32 wind chill here in the STL this past Thursday. Today was Better. We will Officially have a White Christmas with additional Snow expected. 😬👍

[@deanmartin1966]

Merry Christmas Curtis. It was -30 below with a windchill in the Midwest today. I had so many service calls. I finally turned the phone off. Yes I also worked Christmas Eve. Great video. Keep up the good work.

[@acrservicesmathewr7565]

Northeast pa -15 windchill. 3 days like this. 30000 people lost power. 15 calls over 24hr period

[@deanmartin1966]

@@acrservicesmathewr7565 Even with these frigid temps I wouldn't want to live anywhere else. Love seeing the seasons change.

[@bobgallo3775]

Good repair, Curtis, hope you have some time with your family tomorrow.

[@stevencossaboon3237]

Good job Curtis. Merry Christmas to you and your family. Thank you for all of the knowledge in 2022.

[@AutomationDnD]

"UP" ... to 25 degrees? My goodness, it's a _Heat Wave_ you KNOW you're a Life Saver goin' out to take care of those folks ! (it's chilly Willy in Long Island-- we had 7 degrees this morning & it looks Like we're having the SAME Again, tonight) CLEAR & COLD weather here. ...But ............. No Snow *YET*

[@williamtayson2733]

This was my first year being on call I’m only 20 and been a service tech for year. Christmas Eve was very busy and very cold. 9 calls but 220$ in tips. Makes the day better when homeowners tip you especially on a holiday. Keep the good vids up. You help me more then you know!

[@markcotter2355]

That heatpump will run much better with that 10kw running again. I had similar problem and just got whole new strip kit because I was 8 minutes from a Goodman Supply on Friday. I am glad the units I work on have disconnects and latter access. merry christmas to you'all.

[@renecuevas4128]

Reason one that limit switch open is Due to Airflow issue such a Dirty Filter.....10 kw heat equal 42 amps with Blower motor running at about no more than 3 Amps. Good job. Now they need a Svc Disc so u can be saved from going up n down

[@frandanco6289]

Horrible dirty filter AND the Grill Fins were Even Worse with Dirt Stuck on Them... Been Years since anyone looked UP at that mess.....

[@aland680]

Had to call my hvac guy today, Christmas eve,. and felt so guilty. Was a simple call where the tenant had not put the heat pump in emergency heat. Glad to pay the extra fee cause of the holiday.

[@williamjones4483]

I work in a hotel in a city about an hour or so south of you and we lost our lobby heat yesterday. We did manage to get a tech out to look at it, but guess what?! No parts to fix it! It'll be sometime this week before they can get the parts. Life goes on.

[@jeffreywhitlatch1409]

Those links went out from the blower not working previously, Judging by the looks of the blower. It's too bad they don't put resettable links on them because if your blower fails during heating, well now your heater links have also failed because of it. God it's cold for a heat pump.

[@jthonn]

Merry Christmas to you and family. I know they will be happy, we need heat. I'm in south La. and we have been in the teens and twenties. We are not use to those temps here. I pray for the folks that are without power or heat.

[@awshortclips]

I texted my installer earlier in the week when temps dropped to -15/-55 windchill. My newish 4-ton, 16 SEER heat pump + aux heat was barely keeping up as the temps fell. As the night got colder, the heat pump shut off, and it was just aux heat which is inductive heat coils. After looking around this 18-year-old home, it came down to some insulation issues. The back door had a massive air leak that I temporarily patched up. The front door had a trivial leak. Some windows were replaced earlier in the year, but I need to replace them all.

[@frandanco6289]

4 Ton is huge, guess you have a big house... Sorry you have a heat pump... Never liked them... Gas fired furnace is so much better and way easier to maintain too... I have replaced 24 windows at $1,000 each, and that really made a huge difference... Am amazing amount of air, hot, or cold, leaks from windows like crazy... You will be so glad when you get all the windows replaced with some good double pane windows, or whatever is the newest technology out today... Good luck with all this ! Happy New Year !

[@awshortclips]

@@frandanco6289 It's not too big and maybe a little over 5200 sq feet. And yes, these builder-grade windows have lived long past their usefulness. Just replacing the ones I have made a slight difference especially during the summer. I may look into more insulation soon as well. You have a great New Years too!

[@karenblack7117]

Merry Christmas! May God bless you and your family. You are a really good guy.

[@bauhnguefyische667]

My favorite customer line is, I have family coming over. No kidding, me to.

[@Kangenpower7]

Thanks for filming this on Christmas Eve! I am glad that you had the right parts on your van! Great work to whoever decided to stock your van! I kept about 15 capacitors on my van, because I was installing 3-5 each week! during the summer. We typically have 245 volts in Portland Oregon. Measured at about 420 volts across the capacitor terminals, so a 370 volt capacitor will fail quickly! I do feel sorry for the homeowner, when you had the panel off and the fan blowing 1,000 CFM from your 24F attic into their home. I try to cover as much as I can, to still get access to the electrical panel. I wonder if the return air ductwork is insulated? That could be a substantial heat loss from the home into the attic! I found my sister's heat pump in Phoenix AZ not insulated, and covered the return ducts with Reflextix insulation, two layers and had enough left over to coat the entire attic and the air handler too. They only have 1/2" of insulation inside the air handler. In my 1,800 square foot Portland Oregon home, I have a 48,000 Btu Goodman 14 SEER unit I installed in 2014. It was sized for the heating capacity at 24F, 28,000 Btu per hour. There are very few days below 30F here, and I never hooked up the electric back up heat. I figured I could turn on the 4 KW oven if I needed more heat in the winter and the heat pump failed. Yes I do get very cold air during the defrost every 1 hour. Many times when it is over 40, I will cycle off power to the heat pump, so it resets the defrost circuit timing, no cold air. In your area, heat strips are a requirement! When I worked for Long Beach California, they installed heat pumps with no back up electric heaters. But their very coldest day was 35 in the winter, and below 40 was very rare!

[@williamparsons6073]

Wouldn't you know it! Horizontal in the attic! Nice content reminds me of the good old days!

[@ACommenterOnYouTube]

In Orlando Fla ... temps dropped to ~28F for 3 days in a row, inside the house the thermostat read 63F, turned the heat pump on and could not get more than 75F out of the air vents and thermostat would NOT climb past 70F .... even after running for 3 hrs straight. So we just shut it off and put on more clothes and a sweater inside the house ...

[@MrKen59]

Merry Christmas and hope you have a blessed holiday and a prosperous new year.

[@johno7149]

People would freeze and be miserable without guys like this!

[@Kangenpower7]

That is why you buy a 120 volt electric heater! Or bake something. If they have a electric oven, it will have a 4 KW heating element in it. A gas range should never be used to heat a home, but electric one is OK. The 43 amp electric heating element is about 3 amps for the fan and 40 for the heater or about 10 KW.

[@SignorNessuno65]

25 degrees! Sweet! 12 here in Chicago. I notice down south the heating equipment is always located in the most inconvenient place!

[@bobboscarato1313]

Yeah; builders don't install mechanical rooms to save money; It takes longer to complete the repairs so chances are labor costs would be higher!

[@brianleeper5737]

Down south they usually don't have basements so the HVAC equipment goes in the crawlspace or the attic.

[@gowdsake7103]

Well well well what a surprize. I have a friend who unfortunately took on one of these when her house was built! Guess what she has NEVER been warm in winter, ITS A HUGE CON

[@robertwilliams6288]

First time watching your video I like how you take the time to explain what you are doing while going the equipment thanks for teaching me something. 👍

[@joseorta9928]

My Family lives in Northern Illinois they vare going thru a bad snow strorm""Blizzard"" I hope they have heat...Feliz Navidad Amigo...

[@anthonyrauseo5913]

7 pm in Philly. Running calls since 9 am. Big money day for me

[@HVACGUY]

Me too

[@Shogunersash]

They were smart making that Milwaukee light run off a AA battery. I would chucked it if I had to wait for it to recharge. It's admirable that you get this work done in those temperatures for your patrons.

[@tonyrhoton6613]

I c use 1 similar i carry Xtra battery that charges in truck last 2 hrs.

[@YwSnowMan]

Volunteered on Christmas Eve.. 4 calls in -35 wind chill… got all of them running again except 1…

[@hansdalgren13]

God Jul from Sweden.🎄

[@buddytaylor6983]

I hope you told them to replace that filter, nasty. It’s good that you went on Christmas Eve to help those people, I’m sure they appreciated it.

[@wheatruzo5671]

At least you didn't have to come down the chimney like Santa Claus so you look a little tired there this morning but still the ultimate professional happy holidays to you sir

[@jamesfitzsimmons381]

You’re a very good sole going out today working on heat pumps. My own hp been on non stop for 36hrs 5-15degrees here in Maryland cycling on aux heat now and then. Merry Christmas Curtis stay warm

[@scotthun6437]

How do you have a hp in Maryland, they barely work here in ohio😭

[@jamesfitzsimmons381]

@@scotthun6437 mine works pretty good until it’s down to single digits then it doesn’t stop running. No other choice but plain electric furnace

[@lukehodgson5222]

Merry Christmas 🎅 🎄 People losing furnace heat all over here. So glad I still have my trusty boiler keeping me warm.

[@bryansnewandused]

-9 here in mid western Pa last night.

[@sparklander]

It seems like you work on a lot of homes that are not up to code with HVAC. It makes servicing the units much more challenging. Thank you for the video.

[@kening95]

Question should be asked what caused the fusible links to blow otherwise it will do it again troubleshooting is also to answer but why

[@CrazyPetez]

Merry Christmas HVAC Man.

[@WeSRT4]

Everyone should own a couple of space heaters to get by for a couple of days in circumstances just like this.

[@billyboonejr669]

Merry Christmas! You're a great fellow for helping these folks on Christmas Eve. Take care.

[@ClemsonTiger75]

Yes, we live in the deep south and it typically does not get all that cold here. But during the last couple of weeks the temps went down into the teens, and the heat pump switched on the AUX heating which helped a little. It is just the way a heat pump works. They take heat from the air, and the air was too cold. So we had to turn on a couple of small space heaters to help. We're good now though as the temps are back up again. That is one reason we live in the south.

[@gregmiracle9560]

Merriest of Christmas 🎄 to you and yours! Stay safe 👍

[@pepawspostings9231]

Your customers are very fortunate to have you. You are very patient doing your work. Bless you and Merry Christmas to you and your family

[@jackl9922]

Amazed you got so cold. In NW Oregon, we had several days of cold, but ice is melting now. We don’t usually get too cold if the prevailing winds are from the Pacific Ocean. Fortunately, heading back to low 50’s instead of 20 as a high. Merry Christmas!

[@TuskegeeDan]

Good job. Most people don’t realize that heat pomp’s don’t really work when the outside temperature is below 32°. You did a great job troubleshooting.

[@kens.3729]

I noticed in your Area of the Country, you automatically go to the Outdoor Unit and on this Call, you mentioned a Heat Pump. I know some here in STL have them. 👍

[@danielzertuche9893]

Merry Christmas 🎄 you've been an inspiration and a mentor to me keep on bringing those video.

[@HVACGUY]

Thanks

[@WeatherNut27]

Nice job, you're a life saver! Merry Christmas. Thanks for the uploads!

[@fraudsarentfriends4717]

The power company turned mine off on Christmas Eve. Glad I had some Kerosene heaters, It was 10 degrees outside.

[@integrity5264]

great job Curtis, your attitude is unbelievable. Merry Christmas.

[@robertwood9628]

And some people complain about the cost of fixing their heaters ( or a/c's). And to those that I was able to repair in a shorter time but still cost more than they expected I would tell them they are paying for my experience and knowledge where others may take twice as long to diagnose and repair.

[@bill944]

Makes me think that they had an airflow issue to have both links popped. I wasn't the on-call technician today but jumped in to help the tech that was overloaded. Ran five calls after getting woke up this morning with a text asking for help.

[@biker55555]

Yeap, and what do you think it could have been and fixed itself? he may be back again.

[@frandanco6289]

For sure, the air filter was absolutely Dead the and metal fins on the cover were even More Dirty than the Filter... I hope he fixed that mess before he left... I would use a really strong vac with a brush attachment to get the cover and of course install an new filter, minding the "Airflow" arrow....

[@henrybucki7813]

boy iam glad iam retired. i did a/c up onto 1980 then switched to commercial refrigeration dont miss it very much.

[@Demy26]

Thanks for working on Christmas Eve 👍🏼

[@kens.3729]

Merry Christmas, Curtis, to you and your Family. Wishing you a Safe, Healthy and Happy New Year. GOD Bless your Family. 👍🙏

[@bstevens9831]

Merry Christmas and thanks for all the videos!

[@AlexNH56]

Time to make that money!!! All kidding but glad to see you out there helping community! Exactly why I want to get into this trade once I finish school.

[@jodybeskinirutherfordcoanimal]

Your videos are interesting. Too bad I picked the wrong career ! My heat went out and it was 5 degrees by Murfreesboro TN. Had to hire a new company to fix the AC and was hoping I would see something to understand what he did that cost so much, but chalk it up to that while I will be in debt, it was worth it to get good workmanship. Also I have a 501c3 nonprofit, so was worried about having rescue animals in cold temps, the house was so cold!. It was a Carrier Heat pump, auxiliary, heating element apparently went out. He put on invoice restring coil and 2 stack heat sequencer. There is lots of AC companies in this area, all were swamped. He started with 6 calls and there ended up being 20 more while he was working on my AC.

[@DigitalIP]

It was 44F downstairs today with it being 17F and lower outside Because according to my HVAC company, the blower motor they were supposed to be replacing the past year and a half was supposedly told by Carrier that its a discontinued model so they cant replace it. replacing the entire inside unit with a new one would cost $1900, which isnt doable atm. So yeah, YAY for space heaters i guess..

[@hinspect]

I am sure you can get a blower motor, it might not be factory but millions of generic replacements can be found. I'd call somebody else! 🥶

[@DigitalIP]

@@hinspect Thanks, i guess i'll do that after the holidays.

[@Merlyn4011]

Merry Christmas to you and your family

[@Eddy63]

Merry Christmas Curt and family 🎅🎄🍺

[@steveg5576]

Merry Christmas Curtis -- have really enjoyed your channel this year. Steve G - Greensboro, NC

[@Niveous23]

I had a 'fun' one this week. Heat pump package unit. Apparently it's been 'serviced' regularly. Froze up like a block of ice. Come to find out besides being dirty on both coils, the heat strips disconnect wasn't plugged in all the way, and the strips weren't connected to a rescue board. So had to wire up the strips to the different board set up. I laughed so hard when the defrost engaged and the home owner came out scared because of the 'smoke'.

[@kens.3729]

Since you got this Ladies Heat Fixed, she Owes you a Christmas Bonus like Cash, Cookies or a Gift Card. Christmas is the Time for Giving Presents to Others. 🎁

[@picklerix6162]

A lot of plumbers are working on Christmas Eve due to frozen pipes down south.

[@jackedwards7420]

MERRY CHRISTMAS to one and all, especially Curtis!!

[@cengeb]

those Milwaukee small drivers are GREAT...

[@ACommenterOnYouTube]

19:25 😳 42 amps .... and thats why we dont use the heat strips

[@frandanco6289]

Oh, that is for sure !!!! I will take a natural gas furnace anytime over this No-Heat-Pump baloney... Been there, done that...

[@brianwaldo2642]

I envy your winter temps. I live in BC Canada and it just warmed up to -10C (14F) from -30C (-22F), but now getting more snow. Anyway, wishing you and you family a Merry Christmas and a healthy, prosperous New Year.

[@oemytech]

Giving up your Christmas Eve for others,.🧑‍🎄👍

[@davewil3]

But what CAUSED the fusible links to open??

[@Wayman_Simmang]

Thanks! Merry Christmas! You saved the day!

[@ericmilburn9841]

That filter was needing replaced. Units running longer cycles due to temperature drop. That’s what caused your fusible links to pop. I am not a fan of pleated filters in older systems they most of the time aren’t set up for pleated filters. I have had lots of problems with pleated filters on really cold days. They restrict to much air regardless if there clean or dirty.

[@roelfuentes6157]

Only had one call christmas eve morning, heat strips kicking out main breaker after 5 min or so, bad breaker, got it swapped and the heat was flowing. Ez day for me. Love the video. I know it's not just me when I "need" a nut driver I'll use my drill all ways till Sunday until Ive spent 15 min struggling with that one screw haha

[@ladykoh4678]

Merry Christmas 🎄

[@mattn3273]

Merry Christmas Curtis Keep up the great work and videos

[@kevinmory8720]

I am glad to see I am not the only one that doesn't have a passenger seat.. lol Have a merry Christmas 🎅

[@robalexander7348]

Your a good man Curtis, the lady must have thought you were Santa Clause calling to do her heat repair,, BTW i live 100 km south of Sydney and today Christmas day it's 30C = 86F @ Midday a very warm day. i'm just about to tuck into my prawns and leg ham 👍 Enjoy your Christmas day with the family 🍷 🍷

[@robalexander7348]

@@HVACGUY HI Curtis,i did enjoy 6 King Tiger prawns for you with tails dipped in " Masterfoods " seafood Cocktail sauce and they were so fresh n tasty,i love my prawns. Its boxing day here and already @ 11.00 its 32C = 90F another very hot day, i hope your OK in the cold over there, we are seeing incredible vision of the Arctic blizzard blowing in on our news ,, BTW how is the new GREE performing with heating ?

[@michaelhediger9088]

Merry Christmas, Curtis

[@michaelhediger9088]

Thanks

[@Wakeupandsniffthecoffee]

I'm curious why an older system breaks down more, at least in regard to the heat strip fuses. Unless there was a short that drew too much current or or a bad connection causing it to overheat at the connection point and cause the fuse to fail from heat, why would properly installed and maintained ones fail more?

[@frandanco6289]

Love Maui ! I think that the replacement parts are more and more being made in ----China---- so does anyone think they are going to make the same quality parts we used to get from say, American manufacturers?? :)

[@TPINSC]

Hope You have a Merry Christmas also.

[@hvacdr]

Where I live probably less than half of the heat pumps even have heat strips because it doesn't get that cold here usually. But ever so often (like once every 6 or 7 years) we get a super cold winter and they're screwed because they don't even have the wiring for them. But that's why houses do also have fire places but ya some years these things can only push out like 94 degrees out of the vents cuz no strips....so yeah fire places are NOT just decorations!!!

[@marcovandinther1809]

Merry Christmas and the best Wishes for 2023 to you Curtis and your family. Ppl like you are the ones this world needs

[@donaldwalter6083]

Me to .. crimp t-line after previously handy man

[@snapperkc9317]

Merry Christmas young man, and nice job!

[@matta3888]

Glad your not working in ice or snow.

[@michaelzang9739]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Curtis to you and your family. I really enjoy the videos

[@pattzerees3261]

Best wishes for a great Christmas and even better New Year, from one of your fans in England,