NFT: A/C Question For All Of You Handymen

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?

Brock · 06-07-2005, 01:36 PM

You've blown one of your fuses. Open your electrical box by the outdoor unit and you'll find that one of them is smoked.

**Donger** · 06-07-2005, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Rick

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?

Sounds like a compressor problem. That's bad. Check the freon levels first, though.

jspchief · 06-07-2005, 01:37 PM

Sounds like you need a recharge.

**Iowanian** · 06-07-2005, 01:38 PM

Have the coolant Recharged and spray the unit out with a hose.

Brock · 06-07-2005, 01:39 PM

It's a common problem when you turn it on for the first time. The compressor gets tight sitting idle all winter and when you first turn it on, it causes a power surge. There are two fuses, and when one blows, the compressor won't run.

The Rick · 06-07-2005, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

You've blown one of your fuses. Open your electrical box by the outdoor unit and you'll find that one of them is smoked.

You mean mounted on the outside of the house? I did open that and there was something in there with a handle on it...like to use to pull whatever it was toward me. I thought that was probably the fuse, but wasn't sure if I should pull it out of the box or not. Does that make sense? Should I pull that? Does that give me access to the actual fuse or something?

**KC Dan** · 06-07-2005, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Rick

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?

If both tubes (i assume from the compressor) are warm, then you most likely have a problem. Generally, you will never get air from the unit that is more then 19-20 deg. cooler than outside air. So if the temp outside is 100deg, you wont see less than 80deg from the A/C inside. Make sure the fans come on and if the outside fan isn't coming on then the air will never cool down inside. Also, the compressor should cycle when the A/C is on. If when the temp inside is above the thermostat and you don't hear the compressor humming outside, its not on and either dead, has overloads that tripped or an electrical problem. If the outside fan doesn't come on, its only a matter of time until the compressor buys the farm. Lastly, do the stupid check and make sure your switch on the thermostat is on auto and cool selected. You have no idea how many times that I have seen the thermostat set wrong. Even by smart people.

**Lzen** · 06-07-2005, 01:41 PM

I'm no AC guy but I do know that the fan can run even if the compressor is out. Correct me if I'm wrong AC repairmen, but I believe the compressor pumps the freon through the piping in the unit.

**KC Dan** · 06-07-2005, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Rick

You mean mounted on the outside of the house? I did open that and there was something in there with a handle on it...like to use to pull whatever it was toward me. I thought that was probably the fuse, but wasn't sure if I should pull it out of the box or not. Does that make sense? Should I pull that? Does that give me access to the actual fuse or something?

Yes, pull it out and check continuity of the fuses

**KC Dan** · 06-07-2005, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lzen

I'm no AC guy but I do know that the fan can run even if the compressor is out. Correct me if I'm wrong AC repairmen, but I believe the compressor pumps the freon through the piping in the unit.

true dat

**Lzen** · 06-07-2005, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Rick

You mean mounted on the outside of the house? I did open that and there was something in there with a handle on it...like to use to pull whatever it was toward me. I thought that was probably the fuse, but wasn't sure if I should pull it out of the box or not. Does that make sense? Should I pull that? Does that give me access to the actual fuse or something?

That sounds like mine. It has a handle that you can pull out. It is there to cut the power to the unit. At least that's what my sister's fiance told me and he works on that kind of stuff for a living.

Brock · 06-07-2005, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Rick

You mean mounted on the outside of the house? I did open that and there was something in there with a handle on it...like to use to pull whatever it was toward me. I thought that was probably the fuse, but wasn't sure if I should pull it out of the box or not. Does that make sense? Should I pull that? Does that give me access to the actual fuse or something?

Turn off the power at the breaker box. Open the metal box on the outside of your house. It will be obvious which fuse is blown.

Edit: Probably want to just replace both of them. They're cheap.

**Lzen** · 06-07-2005, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC Dan

If both tubes (i assume from the compressor) are warm, then you most likely have a problem. Generally, you will never get air from the unit that is more then 19-20 deg. cooler than outside air. So if the temp outside is 100deg, you wont see less than 80deg from the A/C inside. Make sure the fans come on and if the outside fan isn't coming on then the air will never cool down inside. Also, the compressor should cycle when the A/C is on. If when the temp inside is above the thermostat and you don't hear the compressor humming outside, its not on and either dead, has overloads that tripped or an electrical problem. If the outside fan doesn't come on, its only a matter of time until the compressor buys the farm. Lastly, do the stupid check and make sure your switch on the thermostat is on auto and cool selected. You have no idea how many times that I have seen the thermostat set wrong. Even by smart people.

I take it you do this stuff for a living?

**Iowanian** · 06-07-2005, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Rick

Should I pull that? Does that give me access to the actual fuse or something?

Just don't spit on it and stick your pickle in there again, Napolean.

06-07-2005, 01:34 PM
The Rick Veteran Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Milwaukee, WI Casino cash: $7591320	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

06-07-2005, 01:36 PM	#2
Brock Say hello to my little friend Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Larryville Casino cash: $9598422	You've blown one of your fuses. Open your electrical box by the outdoor unit and you'll find that one of them is smoked.
Posts: 47,314

06-07-2005, 01:37 PM	#4
jspchief BAMF Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Your Face Casino cash: $9998710	Sounds like you need a recharge. __________________ Courage is not the absence of fear but rather the judgment that something is more important than fear. The brave may not live forever but the cautious do not live at all.
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06-07-2005, 01:38 PM	#5
Iowanian Supporter Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Utopia Casino cash: $4758454	Have the coolant Recharged and spray the unit out with a hose.
Posts: 61,531

06-07-2005, 01:39 PM	#6
Brock Say hello to my little friend Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Larryville Casino cash: $9598422	It's a common problem when you turn it on for the first time. The compressor gets tight sitting idle all winter and when you first turn it on, it causes a power surge. There are two fuses, and when one blows, the compressor won't run.
Posts: 47,314

06-07-2005, 01:41 PM	#9
Lzen Supporter Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Jan Quadrant Vincent 16 Casino cash: $2220692	I'm no AC guy but I do know that the fan can run even if the compressor is out. Correct me if I'm wrong AC repairmen, but I believe the compressor pumps the freon through the piping in the unit. __________________ If at first you don't succeed ...skydiving is not for you.
Posts: 41,346