On 18 Feb 2006 17:20:25 -0800, "Stretch" wrote:

The outdoor unit running all the time indicates a stuck contactor as
the most likely problem. A new contactor should cost $20 to $30 plus
diagnosis and installation. I can change a contactor in 15 minutes,
and diagnose in in 15 minutes, so you will probably fall under the
minimum labor charge plus parts. It could also be a bad thermostat or
short in the thermostat cable, but those would need fixed anyway if you
replace the unit, so they are not going to make a difference in the
repair or replace discussion.

Whether to replace or not would depend some on her electric bills. If
her electric bills are low, I would fix it. If they are high, a new
high efficiency system (Both indoor & outdoor) may be a good idea even
if it weren't broken. By the way, there is a $300 Federal tax credit
for Energy Star rated high efficiency systems, starting in January
2006.

Stretch


Be careful. Has to be more than just Energy Star rated to get the tax
credit. Go on the Energy Star site and make sure that what you are
buying will qualify. Because it is a manufactured home, it may be a
packaged unit. When I bought mine three weeks ago, no packaged heat
pump in the tonnage range I needed qualified because no packaged heat
pump met the 9 HSPH requirement.