u/FarSideoftheMobius

I am going to throw this info out there in case it helps any homeowner in the future. Here's a link to my previous post if you want to read the details.

TLDR of my original post is everything got fried by an electrical short/arc between the control panel cover and the outside casing. Warranty had run out because the system was never registered by the original installer.

On to the update.

I've done some DIY electrical work and took a closer look at the unit. Saw the fresh scorch marks on the cover and casing, no rust on the exposed metal, and did some measurements. The tech's story didn't match up with the physical evidence. I then called the company who sent the service manager out.

After showing him that the evidence did not match the original tech's explanation, he went back to the truck "to do some research." He came back to tell me because he can't rule out the tech was at fault, the company will repair the system at no charge. I already paid for the replacement fan motor (which I believe the tech fried and tried to cover up), but I called them out for a problem anyway, so I'll eat that cost as fixing what should have been fixed originally.

Hopefully this helps someone.

TLDR of this post - System was fried, I gathered evidence. Tech probably caused it and lied about it. Company stood on its good reputation and is fixing for free.

Location: Florida; Rheem Unit

We had a Rheem 20 seer full inverter heat pump system installed 7 years ago. A week ago, the thermostat showed a low pressure warning, so I called the company that maintains our units. After they came out, they said there was arcing across the outside system panel cover (I can see the scorch marks), and that arcing caused the issue and most likely fried the control board(s) because there is no signal coming off the board. The 10-year warranty is actually only a 5-year warranty because the installer or builder did not register the system, and I did not know I had to. So that sucks.

Questions:

1. How is it possible the system cover arced? We had had no rain for weeks at that point (so lightning is out as a possibility). Could the hvac company tech have caused the arc by forgetting to flip the breaker and touched the cover to the high voltage input as he was removing it? I don't understand how the system communicated the low pressure warning and then suddenly can't communicate at all.

2. Florida has a law regarding registration for extended hvac warranties. This (passed in 2024) but it is not retroactive. Some companies will honor it, some won't. Rheem is in the "no" camp after being asked by the original installer at the regional and corporate level. Should I even attempt to go down this path as the homeowner?

3. Assuming no warranty, the options are spend several thousand or more to replace a bunch of control boards or replace the 7-year old system (ouch). Up to this point, it has been a great system. Both the maintenance company and the original installer have given me quotes for parts and new systems, but said they can't steer me in a direction because they don't know how far down the repair rabbit hole they'll have to go for the repairs. I figured I'd ask you experts because you have no skin in the game financially. Thoughts?

Sorry for the length. I am just very frustrated at the whole situation and am starting down a large or potentially huge hit to the bank account.