Home and Auto Simple AC tips to help keep your cool this summer - Page 5

Chief Roundup · 07-24-2011, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BWillie007

Tried all of this, my bill is still going to be 450 this month. 2000 square foot house. 75% insulated windows. What the f***

Well need more info.
What do you have the thermostat set at?
How is the insulation in the attic and walls?
How old is the house?
Do you have kids that are constantly going in and out?
What kind of airflow are you getting out of the registers? Thinking you may have a lot of duct leakage. If your registers/vents are in the floor check your crawl space and see if it is nice and cool in there.
Is the system cycling on and off or just running all the time?

Sweet Daddy Hate · 07-24-2011, 08:37 PM

That's intense. How much does it cost to move a big tree like the one in the second photo?

Delano · 07-24-2011, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarthCarlSatan

That's intense. How much does it cost to move a big tree like the one in the second photo?

I've no idea. That's not really my branch of Arboriculture. HAHA TREE PUN!!

Sweet Daddy Hate · 07-24-2011, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delano

I've no idea. That's not really my branch of Arboriculture. HAHA TREE PUN!!

You've got to REALLY love a tree to put that kind of money and effort down.

Delano · 07-24-2011, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarthCarlSatan

You've got to REALLY love a tree to put that kind of money and effort down.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 07-24-2011, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bugeater

I'm going to go out on a limb and say it's expensive.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delano

This thread has teh truck.

**Bugeater** · 07-24-2011, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarthCarlSatan

That's intense. How much does it cost to move a big tree like the one in the second photo?

I'm going to go out on a limb and say it's expensive.

**chefsos** · 07-24-2011, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarthCarlSatan

That's intense. How much does it cost to move a big tree like the one in the second photo?

I wouldn't know the cost, but judging from the graphic it takes a year and a half to get the thing ready!

Delano · 07-24-2011, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chefsos

I wouldn't know the cost, but judging from the graphic it takes a year and a half to get the thing ready!

That graphic leaves nothing to the imagination!

Stanley Nickels · 07-31-2011, 09:27 AM

Resident CP A/C Gurus, I come in a time of desperate need!

Yesterday, I get a call from the fiance while at work. She says it's making a loud "screeching noise", and we were either going to have to turn it off overnight (as it was so loud), or place a service call. So, when I get home, I get to tinkering. It's making the really loud screeching noise alright, sounds like the fan's causing it, but not like something's stuck in there per se. Anyway, I get to opening the box that has the fuses in it (and the place where the noise is coming from). When you open the front "gate"/lid to this, the machine turns off, as there is a button that is depressed by having it on there. I take a look inside... no idea. Looks fine to me. However, NOW all the unit does is "hum" like it's attempting to start the blower. This occurred at midnight last night. We went to our upstairs room (wall AC unit FTW!), and then I came down today and it started right up when I pushed the button manually. Unfortunately, stupid me forgot to turn off the "Auto" function on our thermostat, so when it turned off at the right temperature today, it now only hums again, no blower. The reason I give so much background is because it pretty clearly looks like an issue with the motor getting the fan to work. Any thoughts here? Did the overnight allow the unit to "cool off" (no pun intended)? Or did I just get lucky? I'd really like to avoid an expensive house call if I can afford it, but also don't want to get too deep into the electrical system of something so important. Massive rep to any helpers!

Stanley Nickels · 07-31-2011, 10:24 AM

sweaty bump

**Bugeater** · 07-31-2011, 10:40 AM

Yeah, your furnace has a safety switch that shuts it down when you remove the bottom cover. You can override it by running some tape over it.

It may be a bad start capacitor that's keeping the blower motor from starting, if you feel gutsy enough you may be able to get it going with your hand, I've done that with condenser fans before. But make sure you leave the t-stat on FAN ON so it will just keep going until you can get it repaired. And do this AT YOUR OWN RISK!

Screeching is probably from a bad bushing in the blower motor, you may be able to buy it some time with some lubricant. But you're most likely looking at a new blower motor and cap.

Stanley Nickels · 07-31-2011, 10:43 AM

Awesome, thanks for the advice. To get that fan going myself, could I stick something in there and get it spinning?

And, my ultra-n00b, but "be safe" question.. any risk of electrical problems doing this? I imagine I just tape the button down, it starts humming, then I stick something in there and prompt/nudge the fan?

**Bugeater** · 07-31-2011, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stanley Nickels

Awesome, thanks for the advice. To get that fan going myself, could I stick something in there and get it spinning?

And, my ultra-n00b, but "be safe" question.. any risk of electrical problems doing this? I imagine I just tape the button down, it starts humming, then I stick something in there and prompt/nudge the fan?

I can't say for sure without seeing the furnace, but most of them have the majority of the electrical components in the compartment above the fan. Often the control board is in that lower area, you want to be sure not to screw that up in any way.

And I'd just use my hand, give it a good spin and get it the hell out of there.

**Bugeater** · 07-31-2011, 10:43 AM

Or it's possible that the blower motor completely seized up, then you're screwed unless you can find a place that sells replacements that is open on Sunday or a service company that has the one you need on hand.

07-24-2011, 08:37 PM	#2
Sweet Daddy Hate Unsparing Join Date: Aug 2008 Casino cash: $10004900	That's intense. How much does it cost to move a big tree like the one in the second photo? __________________ 1. Merciless, severe. 2. Given freely and generously. 100% refusal to overrate 20 year Head Coaches with ZERO **ing rings as a Head Coach. CP's Official Professor of 'Dem Blues for 2019/2020!**
Posts: 77,135

07-31-2011, 09:27 AM	#10
Stanley Nickels [null] Join Date: Sep 2008 Casino cash: $2850893	Resident CP A/C Gurus, I come in a time of desperate need! Yesterday, I get a call from the fiance while at work. She says it's making a loud "screeching noise", and we were either going to have to turn it off overnight (as it was so loud), or place a service call. So, when I get home, I get to tinkering. It's making the really loud screeching noise alright, sounds like the fan's causing it, but not like something's stuck in there per se. Anyway, I get to opening the box that has the fuses in it (and the place where the noise is coming from). When you open the front "gate"/lid to this, the machine turns off, as there is a button that is depressed by having it on there. I take a look inside... no idea. Looks fine to me. However, NOW all the unit does is "hum" like it's attempting to start the blower. This occurred at midnight last night. We went to our upstairs room (wall AC unit FTW!), and then I came down today and it started right up when I pushed the button manually. Unfortunately, stupid me forgot to turn off the "Auto" function on our thermostat, so when it turned off at the right temperature today, it now only hums again, no blower. The reason I give so much background is because it pretty clearly looks like an issue with the motor getting the fan to work. Any thoughts here? Did the overnight allow the unit to "cool off" (no pun intended)? Or did I just get lucky? I'd really like to avoid an expensive house call if I can afford it, but also don't want to get too deep into the electrical system of something so important. Massive rep to any helpers! __________________ Bacon-wrapped shrimp: My first-favorite food wrapped around my third-favorite food. I'd go to a banquet in honor of those Somali pirates if they served bacon-wrapped shrimp.
Posts: 6,645

07-31-2011, 10:24 AM	#11
Stanley Nickels [null] Join Date: Sep 2008 Casino cash: $2850893	sweaty bump __________________ Bacon-wrapped shrimp: My first-favorite food wrapped around my third-favorite food. I'd go to a banquet in honor of those Somali pirates if they served bacon-wrapped shrimp.
Posts: 6,645

07-31-2011, 10:40 AM	#12
Bugeater The Maintenance Guy Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Renovated Bugeater Estate Casino cash: $6232680	Yeah, your furnace has a safety switch that shuts it down when you remove the bottom cover. You can override it by running some tape over it. It may be a bad start capacitor that's keeping the blower motor from starting, if you feel gutsy enough you may be able to get it going with your hand, I've done that with condenser fans before. But make sure you leave the t-stat on FAN ON so it will just keep going until you can get it repaired. And do this AT YOUR OWN RISK! Screeching is probably from a bad bushing in the blower motor, you may be able to buy it some time with some lubricant. But you're most likely looking at a new blower motor and cap.
Posts: 70,443

07-31-2011, 10:43 AM	#13
Stanley Nickels [null] Join Date: Sep 2008 Casino cash: $2850893	Awesome, thanks for the advice. To get that fan going myself, could I stick something in there and get it spinning? And, my ultra-n00b, but "be safe" question.. any risk of electrical problems doing this? I imagine I just tape the button down, it starts humming, then I stick something in there and prompt/nudge the fan? __________________ Bacon-wrapped shrimp: My first-favorite food wrapped around my third-favorite food. I'd go to a banquet in honor of those Somali pirates if they served bacon-wrapped shrimp.
Posts: 6,645