NFT: A/C Question For All Of You Handymen - Page 6

The Rick · 06-07-2005, 01:34 PM

Just tried turning on the A/C yesterday for the first time this year and I got little air coming out of the vents and it didn't feel all that cold. My first thought was to change the air filter so I did that. Now, more air comes out, but it's not cold. The thermostat is set at 78 degrees, but the temperature in the house won't go below 85 degrees.

I don't know much about A/C, but I did take a look at the outside unit. The fan was running, but I'm not sure if it continuously runs. After doing a little research on the Internet, I called my wife to have her check the two pipes coming out of the outside unit. I read that one should be cool and one should be warm if everything is working properly. Based on what she told me, both pipes were warm.

Anyone here know anything about air conditioning? What would cause only lukewarm air to come out and not cool air? Freon problem?

The Rick · 06-08-2005, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C-Mac

You bettcha!
He could also probably install most of it himself and just pay to have the freon pumped down and back in.

Care to take a road trip to Milwaukee?

Chiefsrocker · 06-08-2005, 06:34 PM

Oh yea, forgot ot add this. A real easy way to see if your AC is upand going good is to measure the air going in (retuen air) and the air coming out (Supply air) You try to aim for about 15 to 20 degrees difference. To low, the AC is undersized or poor airflow or low charge. To high, AC is probably oversized. Try that and see what you get!

Moon§hiner · 06-08-2005, 07:02 PM

Sounds like he put a hard start kit on your compressor that has a relay built into it...if it didn't get it going, then it "might" be a bad compressor...could just be a wire burnt off at the terminal at the compressor....I'd get a second opinion and I sure as heck wouldn't put a new compressor in a 15 year old a/c..the labor involved is a trade off with the short warranty you get on a replacement compressor...as of Jan 2006, minimum Seer ratings go to 13 and with that the price goes up too...get 2 or three estimates and don't tell the other guys what the last guy found...I'm in the business but I do see some horror stories out there where all I can say is buyer beware.

BTW Iowanian...to properly hose down your condensor, you disassemble it and flush from inside out or you are only telling your buddys to push more crap into the fins so I can make more money off of them...heh

elvomito · 06-08-2005, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moon§hiner

...BTW Iowanian...to properly hose down your condensor, you disassemble it and flush from inside out or you are only telling your buddys to push more crap into the fins so I can make more money off of them...heh

well that was part of my problem. i did clean it previously, but there was a hard-to-see layer of lint caked on. dissassembled the cover and top, cleaned it out, and now the a/c works a little better.

word of advice: don't locate your dryer vent near your compressor

06-07-2005, 01:34 PM
The Rick Veteran Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Milwaukee, WI Casino cash: $7581320	NFT: A/C Question For All Of You Handymen Just tried turning on the A/C yesterday for the first time this year and I got little air coming out of the vents and it didn't feel all that cold. My first thought was to change the air filter so I did that. Now, more air comes out, but it's not cold. The thermostat is set at 78 degrees, but the temperature in the house won't go below 85 degrees. I don't know much about A/C, but I did take a look at the outside unit. The fan was running, but I'm not sure if it continuously runs. After doing a little research on the Internet, I called my wife to have her check the two pipes coming out of the outside unit. I read that one should be cool and one should be warm if everything is working properly. Based on what she told me, both pipes were warm. Anyone here know anything about air conditioning? What would cause only lukewarm air to come out and not cool air? Freon problem?
Posts: 2,438

06-08-2005, 06:34 PM	#77
Chiefsrocker Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Axtell, Kansas Casino cash: $10004900	Oh yea, forgot ot add this. A real easy way to see if your AC is upand going good is to measure the air going in (retuen air) and the air coming out (Supply air) You try to aim for about 15 to 20 degrees difference. To low, the AC is undersized or poor airflow or low charge. To high, AC is probably oversized. Try that and see what you get!
Posts: 211

06-08-2005, 07:02 PM	#78
Moon§hiner Starter Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Kansas, USA Casino cash: $10005272	Sounds like he put a hard start kit on your compressor that has a relay built into it...if it didn't get it going, then it "might" be a bad compressor...could just be a wire burnt off at the terminal at the compressor....I'd get a second opinion and I sure as heck wouldn't put a new compressor in a 15 year old a/c..the labor involved is a trade off with the short warranty you get on a replacement compressor...as of Jan 2006, minimum Seer ratings go to 13 and with that the price goes up too...get 2 or three estimates and don't tell the other guys what the last guy found...I'm in the business but I do see some horror stories out there where all I can say is buyer beware. BTW Iowanian...to properly hose down your condensor, you disassemble it and flush from inside out or you are only telling your buddys to push more crap into the fins so I can make more money off of them...heh __________________ "A computer lets you make more mistakes faster than any invention in human history- with the possible exceptions of handguns and tequila"
Posts: 401