Hi,

I have a recently installed a ClimateMaster Tranquility 27 system for in my home. Seems to be working well right now.

What maintance is required?

Depending on the source I talk to this ranges from:

(a) just clean the filter leave the rest alone

to

(b) get an annual maintance contract

I have also read a few threads where annual maintanance led to suggestions to replace/repair parts which led to further problems/issues after the repairs.

Any opinions?

How hands on are you?
If you are pretty handy, I'd say change the filters and monitor Entering and Leaving air and water temps or get a logger to stay ahead of any trouble. If something changes dramatically just write us.
J

Thanks Joe.

The unit has a permanent filter, it just needs to be cleaned monthly. Regarding monitoing, the system monitors fault statuses so I assume that if something was not working properly, a fault would be indicated on the panel. This is why I was asking - accoring to ClimateMaster the only maintenance required is to clean the filter. The installer recommends "annual maintenance". Just tying to understand what needs to be maintained?

Yes and no.

If you wait until a gradually deteriorating condition such as flow or heat transfer manifests itself in a lockout and status light, you may have in the meantime spent hundreds extra on electricity and subject the unit to greater wear and tear than would be the case if the system is regularly checked. This is in some ways similar to running a car engine until an oil light comes on and finding you are three quarts down.

You may also find yourself without heating or cooling during a weather extreme, and may find that all the good contractors in the area are prioritizing calls from regular customers.

If you are both conscientious and handy and don't mind investing in a thermometer or two and regularly noting reading, as well as being religios about air filtration, you can probably get by without. A compromise might be to have an expert in every other year.

I'm not aware of a washable filter recommended by climatemaster.
j

I think there's good value in paying someone to check over the system annually, simply to cultivate relationship.

Over time the HVAC professional will have opportunity to get familiar with your equipment, and you'll have opportunity to become comfortable with the professional.  Then, once emergency occurs, you'll probably be treated, at minimum, fairly.

And also I think your opportunity to maximally receive benefit of the doubt, and support, in warranty repair situations, is substantially enhanced.

I'm not convinced it's worth taking this to twice per year, though, as is customarily emphasized by the HVAC industry.  At least with the packaged GSHP systems, they're pretty simple and straight forward devices, with not a lot to break.

Religiously changing filters, looking over the system occasionally for water leaks, and cultivating relationship via a once per year visit from an HVAC professional, in summary, I think are actions that maximize return on investment for GSHPs.

Best regards,

Bill

Here in Canada Climate Master is sold under the Next Energy name, my unit has a metal Electrostatic Filter, that they claim will last the lifetime of the system, just clean with water once a month.