AIR CONDITIONING CATEGORY The following entries all contain information relating to air conditioning. Click "Read More" to view the entire entry including the response from our experts and other visitors' comments. Feel free to add comments of your own. To quickly locate specific information, type the word or phrase you are looking for into the Search box to the lower right.

  • Air handler blows and stops repeatedly

    Feb.6.2012

    My AC unit, whether cooling or heating, clicks at the thermostat like it is starting cycle when the temperature is reached to start. However, the air handler blows and stops, blows and stops continuously. The outside unit (compressor) does not start.

    tim, Phoenix, AZ

    Expert Answer

    A safety switch in the furnace typically is the cause of the air handler blowing and stopping like yours does. If something malfunctions during the ignition of the furnace,…

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  • Copper tube of condenser has hole in it

    Feb.5.2012

    I signed up for a program to save money on electricity. Through this program, they installed a device that turns the air conditioning unit off/on remotely. When I came home, there was no air. The AC repair man noticed a hole blown in the middle of the copper tube of the condenser. Is it possible that the power surge caused a hole to be blown in copper tube? If so, how can I prove it and what do I need to do to prove it?

    Mike, jeffersonville, PA

    Expert Answer

    Anything is possible, but in my experience the hole in the copper tubing would not usually be the result of a power surge. Sometimes, if there is a short in the system anywhere, the copper ends up being the…

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  • Coil freezes up

    Dec.8.2011

    Our compressor just went out on our unit and we had the whole unit replaced inside and out. The technician cannot find our problem. As soon as we turn the unit on, the bottom half of the coil freezes up and we still do not have cold air. The fan has also been replaced. It’s not low on refrigerant, so what else could it be since everything is brand new? We live in a mobile home, and the tech replaced the 14-year-old unit with the new energy efficient one and we now have 13 SEER instead of a 10 SEER.

    TERRY, shreveport, LA

    Expert Answer

    A freezing coil on a new unit is usually related to a lack of airflow or oversized equipment. The following are the things to have a service…

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  • Thermostat set on auto

    Dec.8.2011

    My AC unit has been working fine up until the last few weeks where the weather has been colder than summer but then warmer than fall. So I set my thermostat on Auto so that if it did get below 68 in the house it would turn heat on and if it got about 80 then it would turn AC on. It seems like I hear the motor running where my air filter goes, and it feels like some air is coming from the vents but the unit itself isn't running. Even if I turn the whole unit off from the thermostat, the sound of the air filter vent is running but not the actual unit. I'm at a loss for what could be the problem all I know is that the house has been unusually hot in the evenings when outside is nice and cool.

    Christopher, Myrtle Beach, SC

    Expert Answer

    It can be very challenging to keep your house at an even temperature when the weather is very changeable in the fall and the spring. The auto setting on your thermostat…

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  • When AC unit freezes, does it damage unit?

    Nov.28.2011

    We have a new air conditioning unit. We had many problems with our unit freezing and I mean an inch of ice at first. A switch was moved and that solved the problem. But every day in the afternoon, the unit seems to be unable to maintain the temperature. It is always 3 to 4 degrees higher then we have it set. I checked, and we don't have safety switch. The system only cooled again when the temperature dropped at night. Could the 2 to 3 weeks of freezing have damaged the unit?

    beth, new brighton, MN

    Expert Answer

    There are several reasons why a unit can freeze up, but the one that can be the simplest to check for and fix is a dirty filter. Check the…

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  • Very little air coming through vents

    Nov.28.2011

    We were told by a professional that our six year old central air conditioner needed a new circulation fan motor because it blew a fuse and the motor quit. My husband replaced the motor himself. After replacing the motor, the unit comes on but there is very little air coming through the vents. We also replaced the compressor outside and the thermostat inside. Why is it not cooling?

    Loretta, Springfield, MO

    Expert Answer

    Of course, a complete check up of your unit will provide the necessary information to tell why your system is not blowing properly. Changing a blower…

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  • How is tonnage figured

    Nov.28.2011

    I have a 1649 square foot home in Phoenix, Arizona and the air conditioning installation technician said that a 3.5 ton unit would be sufficient for the two story home. Please verify how they figure out what tonnage goes into your home? Is it based on square footage? And would this size be okay for my home?

    Philip, phoenix, AZ

    Expert Answer

    Since every home is different there is no way to tell what size air conditioner would be the best fit…

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  • AC ran more than usual this past summer

    Nov.28.2011

    I have a one bedroom condo on the second floor. I replaced my AC unit and furnace 3 years ago. I have it serviced twice a year, but this summer it seemed to be running more than usual even in milder weather. I typically have my thermostat set at 72 degrees. The unit cycles on and off normally at night and in the morning, but during the afternoon in the heat of the day it ran continuously (from about 2 p.m. – 8 p.m.) even when it is only 80 degrees outside. It did maintain the temperature inside, but it seemed like it should be cycling on and off during the day when the outside temperatures were not as extreme.

    Wayne, Jeffersonville, IN

    Expert Answer

    A unit that runs continuously during the peak time of the day is not always a bad thing. Your air conditioner should be designed with the 80/20 rule. 80% of the time your unit will cycle on and off normally,…

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  • Transformer feels warm to touch

    Nov.10.2011

    We just had an ARS-24180-16 UVC lamp installed on the air conditioner. The first one the technician put in blew up so he came back and replaced it with a new one, but the transformer is hot to the touch. Is this normal? I'm just worried. I don't want my house to catch fire

    Paul, pensacola, FL

    Expert Answer

     It is normal for a transformer to feel warm to the touch. If there is something wrong, like a short somewhere in the unit,…

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  • Clicks four or five times before turning off or on

    Oct.31.2011

    Our central air system seems to be working normally; cooling efficiently like it always has. Recently, however, it has begun making clicking sounds when it's turning on and also when it's turning off. It's like it's trying to turn on or off; sometimes it doesn't happen at all and turns on & off normally, but sometimes it will click even 4 or 5 times before successfully turning either on or off.

    MJ, Guyton, GA

    Expert Answer

    Often clicking can be heard when the air conditioning unit turns on or off even if it is cooling normally, but if you experience a change in sound and operation, it may be that a control component is failing in…

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  • Should outdoor fan and compressor always start together?

    Oct.31.2011

    My air conditioning compressor had to be replaced recently. To my knowledge everything always worked properly with the old compressor. Now, when the thermostat calls for cooling, the indoor furnace blower fan kicks on and the outdoor unit condenser fan and compressor start up at the same time like they are supposed to about half of the time, but the other half of the time the condenser fan starts first (along with the indoor blower fan) and runs for a couple of minutes before the compressor kicks on. Shouldn't the outdoor fan and compressor always start together? What could cause this?

    Clyde, Elliott, IL

    Expert Answer

    The compressor is having trouble starting properly. It probably tries to start and is delayed when a thermal overload senses that the compressor is…

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  • Primary and secondary drains mixed up

    Oct.13.2011

    I think the guy who installed my AC unit hooked up the condensation line to the secondary drain and plugged the primary drain. Both drains sit side by side on the right side of the unit. Which drain is the primary, the one furthest on the right or on the left?

    Nancy, Chino, CA

    Expert Answer

    Condensate drains from air conditioning indoor coils have a main drain and a little higher up is the secondary drain. The lower one is always the…

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  • Hole in copper pipe

    Oct.12.2011

    I have an air conditioning unit that is putting out hot air. I had someone come look at and they said I had a hole in the tubing copper pipe so they went to Lowe's to get something to seal the hole. After they sealed the hole, they tried to recharge it with Freon and the system would not take any. Do you think that when they seal the tubing copper pipe it may have gotten some of the sealant in the line making the system unable to take Freon?

    Charlotte, Gaffney, SC

    Expert Answer

    You should be sure that proper procedures were followed to seal the copper pipe and recharge the refrigerant. When a system has had a large leak, a refrigerant drier should be put in the lines. After repairing…

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  • Thermostat is blank

    Oct.5.2011

    I came home the other day and the outdoor unit's fan was not blowing. I changed the capacitor and it was working the rest of the night. The next day the thermostat was blank. I replaced the thermostat and the unit started to cool the house. The thermostat kept turning on and off throughout the night (blank screen). I have also been hearing a clicking noise that started a few months before things started not working.

    Wayne, Austin, TX

    Expert Answer

    When you have a blank thermostat it can mean that you have a problem with power to the thermostat, like perhaps a loose connection or a short in the low…

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  • Did I put my new filter in correctly?

    Sep.22.2011

    We run our air conditioning about 20 hours a day, and it is about 3 years old. The other day I put in a new filter, but I don’t know if I put it in backward or correctly. Well, today I noticed that every time the air conditioning kicked on it would make some sort of suction on the front panel and I could hear the panel being pulled in. I went to sleep and woke up sweating. Now, the AC isn’t working. I checked the breaker; it’s fine. The fan outside comes on but the blower motor in the unit won’t turn on. I hear humming and I felt a coil in the bottom and it had ice on it. Help! I’m in a mobile home and I don’t have a lot of money to call a service person to come out. My mom also lives with me. She just had heart surgery and she can’t live like this in this Texas heat! What can I do?

    Rebecca, Centerville, TX

    Expert Answer

    It sounds as though the new filter…

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  • Electrical problem related to AC

    Sep.22.2011

    I had a HVAC serviceman come out yesterday. He said I had an electrical problem at the house. The electrician thought I had a problem outside the house. Then I had the electric company come out and they said everything was fine outside the house. The electrician then checked everything for the second time and concluded there was no problem inside the house or where the AC connects right at the house. Something kept causing the breaker to trip when the AC would try to turn on. The electrician suspected the compressor. We had a second HVAC service man come out and he had some weird readings but concluded it was the compressor from a power surge. A strong storm took out several electronics as well as my roof and skylights in April. Could the power issues I had from lightning have caused a delayed death of my compressor? To the best of my knowledge I have not had any other power surges or outages other than the one in April. Thanks

    Maura, lees summit, MO

    Expert Answer

    It is definitely possible for a power surge to damage electrical components, and, yes, there is sometimes a delay in seeing symptoms of the damage. A surge may weaken the insulation in the compressor.…

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  • In one room the vent blows hot air

    Sep.21.2011

    The air conditioner in my home is an older one (not sure how old) but we have been here for 15 years. It is a two story home (separate units for up and down). The upstairs seems to work fine but downstairs in one room (small bedroom) and only this room, the vent blows hot air. I have looked in the attic for problems, but don't really know what I'm looking for. Any thoughts? (Thank you in advance!!)

    evan, carrollton, TX

    Expert Answer

    If one vent is blowing hot while the others are cold then it may indicate that the ducting has come loose from this vent, and it is…

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  • Fuse blew and AC quit when vacuuming basement

    Sep.21.2011

    I blew a fuse in the basement while vacuuming and, at the same time, the AC unit went off. I checked the circuit breaker for the AC and sure enough it was tripped off. I turned the AC circuit back to the on position and now the air will not come back on. Am I missing something? Could this be an electrical problem or do I need to power something else on (some magical switch I may have missed)?

    Expert Answer

    In a properly functioning electrical system, the vacuum should never cause the air conditioner breaker to trip. The vacuum runs on 115 volts and the central AC runs on a 230 volt circuit, which should in no way…

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  • Will too much Freon cause coil to leak and fail?

    Sep.21.2011

    Our home and air conditioning are 5 1/2 years old. The inside coil was just replaced at it was the source of the leak. During the first year we were here we noticed the contractor put in a 10 SEER where we paid for a 13 SEER. We asked for a refund, yet he insisted on putting the right one in. I figured they would make a mess of things and I guess they did. They swapped ours with another from a house nearby. Shortly after that the system failed and the vendor said there was 5 pounds too much Freon in the system. The coil leaked slowly from that point on and the question is: Will too much refrigerant cause a coil to leak and fail? And I’m wondering. Should I have kept the 10 SEER because our savings in electricity is more than wasted now?

    Expert Answer

    Indoor coil leaks on an air conditioner are not caused by too much refrigerant in the system. The indoor coil of an air conditioner is on the low…

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  • Rarely changed air filter might be the issue

    Sep.20.2011

    My air conditioning unit is continually running, but not cooling, even in cooler weather. The one inside coil is frozen. The repair guy wants to replace the coil, throw on a thermal do-hickey (sorry, but I forgot what it was), and switch out another part which he said did not come from the original unit. (Since I am the original home owner and the AC has never been fixed, I know this is wrong.) He wants to charge $500. Is this reasonable or even correct? I think it may just be the infrequency of changing the air filter. Initially I was told to change the filter every 2 to 3 months, but with two big dogs and the amount of dirt and hair it probably creates, maybe a once a month filter change is in order to get more air flow to stop freezing. Even so, is that cost correct? I am upset at the technician for treating me like a bubblehead because I’m a woman. Any direction you can share on cost would be helpful. Thank you.

    kimberly, portage, IN

    Expert Answer

    Often with big dogs or numerous pets, the coil can get a buildup of pet hair which will result in this type of problem with a frozen coil and the…

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  • Can I dispose of my air conditioning unit myself?

    Sep.18.2011

    If my condenser unit needs replaced because of the compressor, am I bound to allow the technicians to dispose of my unit? My current HVAC repairman wants to charge me $250 to dispose of the unit. I know the refrigerant must be removed from the system in order to disconnect the lines by EPA regulations. Therefore, I should be able to dispose of the unit myself once the refrigerant is removed. I contacted the recycling center which is run by the county and they said I could bring the unit there for disposal.

    Ed, Summerville, SC

    Expert Answer

    When your compressor goes bad, your HVAC condenser unit needed replacing. You probably are already aware of this, but it is against the law to…

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  • Insulated line from house to compressor is freezing up

    Sep.14.2011

    I have a split system (heat/ac) and the insulated line from the house to the compressor on the outside is freezing up or has frost on it and the house is not cooling like it normally does. The fan motor and compressor are both running. Could this be a compressor going bad or hopefully maybe something less costly like a capacitor? Also, we have flexible ducts installed in the attic and I did notice that one section seems to have been crushed or collapsed. Would this cause a problem?

    Pam, Huntsville, AL

    Expert Answer

    Your unit is building ice on the indoor coil as evidenced by the frost on the lines. This can be caused most commonly by either low refrigerant…

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  • One area of the house is hot

    Sep.7.2011

    We just bought a house that was built in 1978. The air conditioning was serviced (whatever that means) before we moved in. The two back bedrooms are hot when the rest of the house is comfortable. Cold air is coming from the vents but the hallway and bedrooms are hot. When you walk into the hallway it is like you hit a wall of heat. There is also an old attic fan in the hallway, and I didn’t know if that could be a problem as well.

    tanua, cabot, AR

    Expert Answer

    It’s possible that there may be leakage from the attic fan causing this area of your home to be hotter. The attic fan should not be visible at all. It should be completely shielded by louvers that close…

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  • AC having common problem of failing to keep up with outside temperature

    Sep.7.2011

    My AC was having a problem keeping up with the hot outside temperatures. However, now only half my inside coils are getting cold. Earlier today the outside line was frozen. I changed the filter and now it's only sweating badly. The inside temperature got to 88 degrees, and one hour later it's at 85. The airflow doesn’t seem to be a problem. Why would only half the coils get cool? Why would the outside line freeze up for one random day? Could a dirty filter be causing it to work too hard?

    Mike, Destrehan, LA

    Expert Answer

    Often, when your air conditioning has trouble keeping the inside cool when the outside temperature rises, this is simply an indication that the refrigerant is low. There’s also a chance that a thermal…

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  • New AC system is making loud, constant squealing sound

    Sep.6.2011

    I had a new system put in a few weeks ago, and it recently starting making a loud constant squealing noise. Do you know what could be causing this? Also, the system was taking 8 to 12 hours to go to 3 degrees. The HVAC company came out and said that the system was overcharged and that now it should start cooling down again...but the noise is still here (you can hear it from my street). Unfortunately, I deal with a warranty company, and the air conditioning contractors cannot fix anything unless it is not functioning!

    Tara, houston, TX

    Expert Answer

    Although it is challenging to determine what is producing a noise without hearing it and examining the system in person, I do know that a squealing noise is often caused by a fan motor or a compressor.…

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  • Excessive drip from condensation line

    Sep.6.2011

    I'm experiencing what seems to be an excessive drip from the outside condensation line. I would say it’s more than a steady trickle and less than a steady stream. What do you suggest? The neighbors had an air conditioning repairman who noticed it, and he said the drain pan might be full. This doesn't sound right to me. What do you think?

    Ben, pearland, TX

    Expert Answer

    The overflow for the condensation line for your air conditioner is often located in the eaves. If you notice that it is dripping water then the primary drain line from the air…

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  • Outside unit does not run

    Aug.31.2011

    What are the typical causes of no home cooling when the fan is blowing, the thermostat is "asking" for cooling but the outside unit does not run? Could this be a capacitor issue preventing the compressor from engaging, or a thermostat issue?

    Bo, carrollton, TX

    Expert Answer

    There are a number of causes for this circumstance where the outside unit…

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  • Air conditioner was frozen

    Aug.31.2011

    A few months ago, I came home to find that my air conditioner was frozen. I called my landlord, and he said it probably just needed some refrigerant and he would send someone to look at it. The tech came and replaced the refrigerant, but it ended up freezing again. The guy came out once more and said that the drain from the inside part to the sink was clogged, so he fixed that. He also said that I needed a new motor, and installed what I believe was a bigger motor for the blower fan. He did say this motor cost less (not my problem since I am not paying for it; I think my landlord owns this HVAC company). So he insisted it was fixed, but it is just not cooling right. I get almost no airflow upstairs. Then the other day the outside fan had stopped running, just was making a loud buzz. I turned it on today, and the outside fan was running. I want him to come look at it again, but are there any problems that I could suggest may be wrong?

    Candis, Pittsburgh, PA

    Expert Answer

    There are so many possible issues that could cause the problems you are experiencing with your air conditioning. If the system has stopped freezing up since they replaced the blower motor, then I would suspect it…

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  • New air conditioning unit is tripping the breaker

    Aug.30.2011

    We recently had a brand new air conditioner installed and it is tripping the breaker. We called the service tech who installed it and they said that the problem was electrical. We hired an electrician and they said our electricity is fine, nothing wrong, that the problem is the air conditioning unit. The electrician believed the compressor was bad or that the service people overcharged the unit. We called the air conditioner company, they came out again, and they could not figure it out. Finally they said it was the motor in the fan. They fixed the motor and then two hours later it tripped again. Now what we need is help. We are asking for a new unit, but wondering what could be the problem? Is it possibly the compressor or overcharged and they just don't want to fix it.

    Ann, Colorado Spring, CO

    Expert Answer

    It is pretty difficult to determine the actual problem with your air conditioning unit and the breaker tripping without checking out…

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  • Air conditioning stops cooling around 7 p.m.

    Aug.30.2011

    My AC unit stops cooling the house around 7 p.m. It is very hot here during the day, but the unit is still able to cool my townhouse in the daytime. I have checked the filters and checked the outside to make sure it’s debris free. I see condensation coming from the drain, and I have reset the thermostat. What is my problem?

    paul, summerville, SC

    Expert Answer

    Sometimes when houses are challenging to cool in the evening, the direction the home faces and the type of construction can be factors. If the unit is running okay but is suddenly unable to keep up in the…

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  • My two AC units are connected and keep shutting off

    Aug.29.2011

    My AC unit keeps shutting itself off. I have had an electrician come out and he found nothing. I would also like to note that I have two different units. There is one brand on the outside connected to another brand. Could this be the problem?

    Ebony, Cordova, TN

    Expert Answer

    The electrician is probably right when he said there was no problem electrically with your units. The electrical feed to the units can be working correctly, but a problem within the outdoor section or the indoor…

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  • I get a pinhole leak in coil every 9 months

    Aug.23.2011

    I purchased a new air conditioning unit in 2006. Every year like clockwork I have had to replace the indoor coil. My technician has found a pinhole leak in the coils where they bend (U section). It seems that the coil will last for about 9 months before developing a leak again. My tech has talked to the manufacturer, but they say they know of no problems. However, the company did start making the coils copper instead of aluminum last year, though not before we got the last coil installed. Can you provide any information?

    Robert, Northampton, PA

    Expert Answer

    I can reassure you that the reason for the change from copper to aluminum coil was not due to any problems from leaking. All the manufacturers…

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  • Unit blowing warm air; capacitor or fuses?

    Aug.23.2011

    My rooftop unit was blowing warm air. The tech came to check it out and told me the compressor or the whole unit needed to be replaced. I had a second tech come and he told me it was the capacitor. He replaced it for $150 (better than $900 to $2000) and the AC was working fine after that. But two weeks later it stopped working again and he refused to come and inspect the unit unless I pay for another inspection fee and/or agree for a different repair if needed. What happened? Did this guy just perform a temporary fix to make a quick buck? Can anyone tell me what can be wrong with the air conditioning after changing the capacitor? Someone told me it could be the fuses. Is this accurate? Please help; it’s 100 degrees and I have kids. I can’t afford to spend any more money.

    Sara, Ontario, CA

    Expert Answer

    First of all, if the capacitor did correct the problem for two weeks, then that most likely was a problem with the unit. I am…

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  • Ice on coil, a little water on floor

    Aug.19.2011

    Our central air system is not blowing out cool air. The fan is working outside, I can hear it kick on inside, and I feel air going through the vent but it is not cool air. When I opened up the furnace there was ice on the coil. I also noticed a little bit of water on the floor. I turned the unit off and put it on auto, left the panel open and took the filter out to melt. I checked the filter and it is fine too. How do I know if there is a leak and whether I am losing refrigerant? Could the condensation pipe be clogged? Is there anything else I can check out before I call someone out to look at it?

    Ger, st, charles, IL

    Expert Answer

    You have done a really good job of checking what you could on your own. In thawing out the coil, you have saved time in the long run, because it…

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  • New air conditioning unit is tripping the breaker

    Aug.17.2011

    We recently had a brand new air conditioner installed and it is tripping the breaker. We called the service tech who installed it and they said that the problem was electrical. We hired an electrician and they said our electricity is fine, nothing wrong, that the problem is the air conditioning unit. The electrician believed the compressor was bad or that the service people overcharged the unit. We called the air conditioner company, they came out again, and they could not figure it out. Finally they said it was the motor in the fan. They fixed the motor and then two hours later it tripped again. Now what we need is help. We are asking for a new unit, but wondering what could be the problem? Is it possibly the compressor or overcharged and they just don't want to fix it.

    Gregory, Paddock Lake, AL

    Expert Answer

    Obviously, It is pretty difficult to determine the actual problem with your air conditioning unit and the breaker tripping without…

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  • House warmer than thermostat setting

    Aug.17.2011

    We recently had a system installed. The thermostat was set at 73 degrees but the temperature on the thermostat in the afternoon rose to 76 degrees and stayed there for a long time. What is the problem?

    Bill, Wake Forest, NC

    Expert Answer

    Upon the actual install of a new system, when the house has had a chance to climb in temperature and humidity, the new system starts up and it has to try and bring down the WHOLE house to the desired thermostat…

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  • Moisture in vents

    Aug.17.2011

    My air conditioner has quit blowing in two of the rooms in my house. Air still blows in all the other rooms but there seems to be moisture in those vents out of which the air is blowing. I had the coil cleaned last year and everything still seems to be pretty clean, what could be causing this problem?

    Michelle, Payson, UT

    Expert Answer

    When your air conditioning system is working but air no longer comes out of some of the vents, you could have a break in the duct work. The hot air from the attic mixing with the cold air causes the dew points to…

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  • Thunder, lightning, then AC went off

    Aug.16.2011

    There was thunder and lightning and my air conditioning went off. The digital thermometer was blank. My husband went to the closet and reset the breakers. The thermostat went on and the AC started and it was on "auto." He tried to lower the thermostat to 76, but it popped to 82. Really we are not sure we know how to set the thermostat. Then the AC went off. My husband went back to the breakers and reset it and put the thermo on "On." Now the AC has been running for a long time. Should the thermostat show a digital reading when "on" and should it go lower from 82 degrees after some time? Do you think we are okay or do we have an issue? What is the correct way to set the digital thermostat? Does "on" just mean like "fan" in your car, or it should be like "auto" cool air?

    LUZ, TAMPA, FL

    Expert Answer

    The “on” setting of the digital thermostat is for the fan to run continuously inside. The outdoor unit will cycle off and on as needed based…

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  • House won't cool down

    Aug.11.2011

    My outside AC unit is about eight years old. The problem is that the house will not cool down past 81 even though I have the thermostat set at 76 degrees. It has been working fine up until two days ago. Could there be an issue where the condenser froze? It’s been very hot here the last week, and the air conditioning has been running quite a bit. What are some next steps I could consider?

    David, Belleville, MI

    Expert Answer

    The first thing to do when your air conditioning does not cool as you think it should is to check your filter(s) and ensure that they are…

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  • AC runs 20 hours a day, can't keep temps down in house

    Aug.10.2011

    My wife and I purchased a HVAC system in May of last year, but I'm a little disappointed in it. While I realize it's almost impossible to measure, and we really haven't had any changes in our power usage, but there hasn't been any noticeable difference in the amount of energy we use. We actually had it serviced last month, and everything checked out okay. However, since our recent heat wave, the AC can't keep up. I set the temperature to stay at 75 degrees 24 hours a day. The air conditioning runs 24/7 and can't seem to hit 75 degrees unless the temperature outside goes down. The temperature stays at about 75 degrees in the house until about 11 a.m. in the morning and then starts rising. It hits a maximum of about 82 degrees at around 4 p.m. and has gotten down to about 78 degrees at 10 p.m. at night. It usually takes until about 2 or 3 a.m. in the morning to hit 75. This doesn't seem right to me but everything keeps checking out. As a matter of fact, the day the guys installed the AC unit it was 100 (or at least very similar), and when they clicked it on in the hottest part of the afternoon, it was able to get our house down to about 72 by the evening. Sweet!!!!! Not any more though. Is it possible I have a lemon? The AC runs for about 20 hours a day, and the cooling is dependent on the temperature outside. I realize it's extremely hot right now, but it doesn't quite seem right that, when I set the temp to 75 in the morning, the unit can't maintain the temperature. The air conditioning clicks on, but the temperature keeps rising. There's cold air coming out, and it would easily be 100 in our home if it wasn't blowing any cool air. Does this sound right? Is it possible I have a lemon? Is there anything you could recommend? Any advice would be much appreciated.

    Scott, Papillion, NE

    Expert Answer

    If the temperature outside is 95 degrees then you should be able to set the thermostat and maintain 75 degrees inside your home. When the temps start to…

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  • When both thermostats are on, airflow is weak

    Aug.1.2011

    I just moved in last week and the air conditioning was working fine. It is a two year old house. This house has one big unit outside that is operated by two thermostats, one for down and one for up. Here is my problem: When I have both of them turned on the airflow coming out of the vent is very weak but when I turn off the thermostat downstairs then the upstairs vent starts blowing strong again. Lately my house won't cool down because of this problem.

    trong, houston, TX

    Expert Answer

    The way you describe your problem of insufficient airflow on the two levels of your home, it sounds as though you have a zoning system with insufficient airflow or insufficient cooling from the system. Typically…

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  • Charge for replacing two capacitors

    Jul.18.2011

    How much would you charge to replace two capacitors on my outside condensor unit for no fan? I was charged $490, and that seems way high. I think I should have paid $150 to $200.

    Daniel, Buena Park, CA

    Expert Answer

    When you are replacing parts of air conditioning systems, such as the two capacitors you had replaced on your outside condensor unit, you will find that every unit is different. Sometimes there will be specialty…

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  • Third floor AC blows hot air

    Jul.18.2011

    The air conditioning on the third floor is run by a different AC unit than the rest of the house. We periodically turn it on just to keep it running. However, during this last heat wave in Southern California, we turned the unit on and the vents are just blowing hot air out of them. I checked the AC unit in the backyard and it's not even turning on. What could this be?

    ERIK, LAKE ELSINORE, CA

    Expert Answer

    Your outdoor air conditioning could be failing to run due to one or more problems. There could be a lack of power voltage being fed by a 230 volt circuit. Inside your circuit breaker panel you will find a large…

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  • Window unit is freezing cold

    Jul.11.2011

    I have a window AC unit which is about two years old. It was working fine until recently. Now when I set the thermostat to a certain temperature, all of a sudden it will become freezing cold in the room no matter at what temperature I set the thermostat. If I turn off the unit, the compressor still runs. I have to actually unplug it to reset it and then sometimes that doesn't even work. Any ideas? Thanks!

    Tracey, Houston, TX

    Expert Answer

    It sounds to me like the thermostat on your window AC unit is sticking. This holds the compressor…

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  • Extra fees for disposal of air conditioning parts

    Jul.11.2011

    My house is 6 years old. I have owned it for one year. In that year the air conditioning unit has frozen up and not worked three different times. The first two times the companies just added Freon. This third time I was educated and told to ask them to check for a leak. The AC guy went up to my attic and within five minutes came down and said I had a leak in the coil. He had carried some kind of testing handheld apparatus to check for the leak. Now they are trying to charge me $150 for plenum modification and $75 for coil disposal. Do these charges seem correct? My dad is in the Freon reclamation and coil business and is stating I shouldn't have to pay for coil disposal. I feel like I'm paying them $75 to take the coil away and then just sell the copper for their profit. If they are just replacing a hole in my coil, is plenum modification and total coil disposal necessary?

    Michelle, Austin, TX

    Expert Answer

    First, I would verify that the technician who said you have a leak in your coil is planning to replace your coil with a new one. There…

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  • Freon leak or ruined with bleach?

    Jun.27.2011

    When I moved in, the air conditioning unit was not functioning because of a capacitor (which was replaced). Since then I have poured bleach in the air conditioning chase. The air conditioning repairman first said there was no refrigerant in the unit. Then he said I have a leak, and now he says I ruined the unit with bleach because bleach is corrosive. Have I ruined the AC unit by using bleach?

    Jennifer, Fort Walton Bea, FL

    Expert Answer

    I assume you are referring to the "chase" as the ductwork. I am not totally convinced that bleach caused your problem because that would depend on how much was used and how many times. However, bleach…

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  • Power surge requires condenser and air handler replacement

    Jun.26.2011

    I am an insurance adjuster. We have a policy holder whose 4 to 5-year-old AC unit was damaged by a power surge. A HVAC contractor said that the surge caused failure of the control board and burnout of the fan, resulting in slogging of the compressor because of the fan not engaging. He says that the system can't be repaired, and that both the condenser unit and air handler will have to be replaced at a cost of $4200. Does this seem reasonable, or is it likely that he is trying to take advantage of the insurance company?

    Rob, Ft Worht, TX

    Expert Answer

    I would recommend you get a second opinion from a licensed, reputable company. Anything can be fixed although…

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  • I have an ARS maintenance contract

    Jun.21.2011

    I have a heat pump/AC unit installed by ARS which is less than three years old and I have the maintenance contract. I have the AC unit inspected in April 2011. The temperature varies by 2 degrees in the heat of the day - 78 instead of 76 and takes several hours to drop to 76. However the temperature outside has been in the mid to upper 90's over the last few days, 95 for average. Should I have it re-inspected?

    M. Terry, Durham, NC

    Expert Answer

    When the temperatures rise into the upper 90’s, you are operating above the design conditions of your system, and the temperature would be expected to rise by a few degrees. Systems in your area are…

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  • My air return may be too small

    Jun.21.2011

    I had 4 ton air handler installed and now I have issues with filters that are deformed while the AC unit runs and the unit runs excessively. The air return vent installed is only 14" inches, and it just does not seem adequate for a residence of approximately 2000 square feet and a four ton unit.

    Drew, Houston, TX

    Expert Answer

    You are correct when you say that a 14-inch air return is not large enough for a 4 ton air handler. I would recommend you call the HVAC company back…

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  • Are refrigerant additives a good idea?

    Jun.17.2011

    I am hearing quite a bit about polarized refrigerant oil additives. You guys are the experts and would have probably cleaned up a mess if it made one. So are the claims made for these additives for real or just snake oil? If you do back the technology, do you offer the service?

    Mark, Tomball, TX

    Expert Answer

    HVAC technicians look to the manufacturers of air conditioning equipment for recommendations regarding additives. Currently the major manufacturers endorse neither oil additives nor oil replacements. We know…

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  • Is my unit too old to repair?

    Jun.6.2011

    I have a house that is less than 10 years old. The HVAC unit has quit working. I had one company come out and tell me that the unit is too old and you can't get parts for it anymore. The only option they are giving me at this time is that the unit needs to be replaced by the new high efficiency unit that will be $4000+. That isn't an option at this time so I'm wondering if you can let me know if this is the true or if the unit be fixed.

    Jason, Fishers, IN

    Expert Answer

    Usually there comes a time when a homeowner must make a decision: Do I repair the 10 year old unit or do I replace it? This decision is usually based on how much the repair cost is, how long the homeowner plans…

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  • Requirements for disposal of HVAC equipment

    Apr.7.2011

    Is there a code requirement in Texas concerning the disposal of my coil or compressor once the refrigeration is removed? If so, what code applies? Are there associated disposal fees

    ray, Tomball, TX

    Expert Answer

    There are no local codes regarding disposal of residential appliances or HVAC equipment. There is however the Clean Air Act section 608 that requires persons servicing or disposing of air conditioning and…

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  • Overflow of water, hole in evaporator coil

    Mar.30.2011

    The evaporator coil has flooded the pan and secondary pan. I have had two estimates with totally different results. One claims I need a new coil, plenum, and all new ductwork ($2300). The second said that the hole in the coil could be repaired, and no replacement (just upgrade to tpc valve) is needed. Is it necessary to replace the ductwork, if a like evaporator is put in? How much should I be expecting to pay for a replacement? The coil is installed horizontally. The outside unit was replaced three years ago. Any help appreciated.

    Stephen, Houston, TX

    Expert Answer

    There are many other things that could lead to the water overflow problem, ranging from simple to complex, besides a hole in the evaporator coil. …

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  • Replace compressor or whole unit?

    Mar.27.2011

    My central air conditioning unit was stolen (the one outside that I think is called the compressor). I had a 13 seer 2 ton. I have received several bids for the work, and I have been informed that I will have to change out my whole unit, inside and out. This is very expensive. Is that true and would it be okay if I bought a used compressor that is a 3 ton? What can happen when using a unit that is bigger than the other parts of the AC unit? Will it be overworked?

    Expert Answer

    Purchasing a larger compressor than the one you have will not be a good option. An air conditioning system has to be matched properly in order to…

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  • HVAC system has a musty smell

    Mar.24.2011

    My HVAC system has a musty smell. What is causing this smell? How do I get rid of it? What can I do to prevent this?

    Ars, houston, TX

    Expert Answer

    The musty smell coming from your HVAC system could be an indication that you need to have your system serviced by a qualified service technician. He will help you determine the source of the smell. This smell…

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  • Safe-T-Switch

    Dec.21.2010

    I'm thinking about installing a Safe-T-Switch Model SS2? I know they retail for about 30 bucks, but I wonder about how much it would cost to have it professionally installed?

    Joe, Chapel Hill, NC

    Expert Answer

     The job of a Safe-T-Switch® model SS-2 is to detect downstream clogs and it is intended for use in the auxiliary drain port of an evaporator…

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  • System comes on in the middle of the night

    Oct.12.2010

    My heating/air conditioning unit comes on for 15 minutes in the middle of the night. Even though I get up and turn it off, it makes no difference. I contacted the people who make the thermostat and they said there was no problem with that so it must be the furnace. Have you any ideas what could be the matter? The system is only 2 and a half years old.

    Gillian, Peachland, NJ

    Expert Answer

    This could very simply be a short in the control board. It could be an indication of a furnace safety malfunction as well. I would recommend getting a trained technician out before you need the heat again. It…

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  • What kind of thermostat should I buy?

    Oct.12.2010

    We have an old home with electric baseboard heaters and an AC thermostat that controls ONLY the air conditioning which needs replacing. We can only find heat/AC thermostats at stores. Is this what I will need to replace my old round AC thermostat? If so, what do I need to do?

    Lavern, Oxford, IN

    Expert Answer

    Since most systems today come with both heat and cooling, you may have a difficult time finding a thermostat that is for one or the other only. You can still use a heating and cooling thermostat but you need to…

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  • Electrical

    Oct.12.2010

    Our two-story home faces the south but the west side is fully exposed to the sun. During the summer months and only the summer months, once it heats up outside, the upstairs rooms that have sun exposure will smell like something sort of electrical. Whether I am running the ceiling fans or not, the smell is there. It does smell in the winter when the sun is also heating the rooms, but more in the summer months. What could this be?

    shelly, Farmington, UT

    Expert Answer

    Unfortunately, sense of smell is so subjective. What you are describing could be caused by some type of growth on the evaporative coil that smells worse in the summer when it’s wet while the air…

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  • Milky substance in AC drip pan

    Oct.11.2010

    We have a brand new Rudd air conditioning unit that was installed last February. This weekend we experienced a "snow storm" of a substance that resembles paint chips coming from our ceiling registers. Our HVAC contractor reports a milky substance in the drip pan. Any ideas about what this could be and what is causing it? Our contractor wondered if we had been doing any drywall work or sanding, but this is not the case. HELP!

    Vicki, Redding, CA

    Expert Answer

    I would recommend that you have your ductwork checked, including your return air. This problem could be caused by many things, but it…

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  • Maintaining lines for AC unit in attic

    Oct.6.2010

    My air conditioning unit where the pipes are up in the attic got clogged and the water backed up and went in the collecting pan and it also clogged up my upstairs sink. We had ARS come out and fix the clog and clear the drain lines. The technician said we could maintain the lines so they would not get clogged up again and he told me I could use bleach and water in the pipes by the AC unit in the attic once a month but I do not recall how much bleach and water to use per treatment, per pipe. Can you help with this?

    Lohren, Austin, TX

    Expert Answer

    Use about a cup of water minimum with a capful of bleach. This helps dissolve the microbial growth that forms inside the pipe and helps prevent future clogs. It should be poured into a tee or into the drain…

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  • Unit and fan running but not compressor

    Sep.28.2010

    The inside unit of my air conditioner is running and the outside fan is working but the compressor is not running. Inside the house we don't have cold air. What is problem and how can I check before I call for service?

    TONY, savannah, GA

    Expert Answer

    There actually isn’t much a homeowner can do in this case. There are a couple of things you do know about the system at this point. One is that there is power to the outside unit since the outdoor fan is…

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  • How does electrical transformer affect AC systems

    Sep.21.2010

    My central A/C is just fine. I'm a mystery writer and I need a question answered for manuscript purposes. Is it possible for the electric company's transformer to blow and affect the central air unit enough to knock it out but be repairable by an electrician? Or would my character have to buy a new one? And if a blown transformer would kill the air conditioning for good, is there some other electrical problem that could be fixed by an electrician?

    Carol, Los Angeles, CA

    Expert Answer

    Many times when a transformer fails slowly it causes problems in the house electrical circuitry. If it was a sudden failure, it may not cause much trouble. Occasionally a transformer fails slowly, causing…

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  • Air conditioner keeps freezing up

    Sep.20.2010

    My air conditioner keeps freezing. Three years ago, ARS changed the evaporator coil. The central air conditioning unit is only 6 years old. Why does the unit keep freezing up? It's the pipeline that goes from the unit to the air conditioning unit outside

    CHRIS, houston, TX

    Expert Answer

    This is a very common problem that could be caused by many things. It basically means that the system is not transferring heat like it is designed to. It could be a maintenance issue or it could indicate you have…

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  • Capacitor not working

    Sep.19.2010

    Last week my air conditioning system's capacitor was replaced and now the house will not cool below 79 even when the thermostat is set at 73 degrees.

    monique, lakeview, AL

    Expert Answer

    This is a problem that calls for further investigation. It could be a repeat failure of the capacitor caused by another component, or it could be a problem in the capacitor or wiring, or even possibly something…

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  • Air register temperature

    Sep.13.2010

    I heard that the air temperature coming out of registers should be 16 to 20 degrees lower. Is it lower than outdoor temperature or return air temperature

    Joe, Charlotte, NC

    Expert Answer

    The expected temperature drop is based on air coming back to the air conditioning unit from the home. It should be measured at the inlet to the unit, usually at your air filter. The air leaving the unit should…

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  • Both AC and furnace not working

    Sep.8.2010

    My air conditioning unit and furnace (variable flow 90% efficiency) are not working. Both are just two years old. I checked the house circuit breaker (seemed okay) and don't see the red indicator light on the furnace (flashing or steady) implying (I am guessing) no power to the unit. I even checked the fuse on the furnace circuit board to see if it was blown but that too was okay. The copper wires on the power supply seem okay too (no signs of burn out, etc.). There seemed to be no smell in the furnace compartment indicating a blown transformer, etc. What can I now do to troubleshoot the problem? Please help.

    suresh, Woodridge, IL

    Expert Answer

    If there is no red led lighting up on the circuit board then it sounds as though you don’t have power to the board. The power starts at the fuse or single pole breaker which is usually marked “furnace.”…

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  • Thermostat goes into recovery mode

    Aug.29.2010

    Your company replaced our air conditioning last year and put in an ARS thermostat. In the evenings around 7:00 p.m. it goes into Recovery mode and sets the temperature at the 10:00 p.m. temperature. I've gone through setting several times and cannot figure out what it is. Can you help me?

    Sherry, Thornton, CO

    Expert Answer

    Setback thermostats have an Intelligent Recovery that will look ahead and start bringing the temperature down ahead of time so that it is at the…

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  • Temperature spikes up over and over

    Aug.23.2010

    We have been in our home for 8 years, purchased it new, and never had a problem until now. We keep the air conditioning set to 77 at all times. Recently, it began spiking up to 80/81. If we turn the thermostat setting up to 79/80 it will cool down to 79/80 but, if it is turned down to 77/78, it spikes back up again. It doesn't cool off until around 9 p.m., and it runs continuously. I have a home warranty and a technician came out last week. He added 1pound of Freon and he said that the duct work in attic is fine. The only other thing he found was the return vent is too small. According to him it should be 20 x 24. (Our home is 1800 sq. ft.) This makes no sense because it has been fine all these years with this return vent. The temperature at the supply is 40 degrees and return temp is 58 degrees. I am told that the 18 degree split is ideal. Maybe the thermostat is faulty? What else could be causing this? Is it just normal due to the extreme heat? Am I wasting my money to pay another service fee for someone else to come and check it out? I already paid $60 to the home warranty tech, and they said the return vent is not covered. I am still having the problem even after he added the Freon. Help!

    laura, apopka, FL

    Expert Answer

    The extreme temperature conditions are probably causing this to happen. This well may be the hottest summer we have had in the last 8 years. Also, these very hot conditions require a system to be at its maximum…

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  • AC makes buzzing sound

    Aug.23.2010

    My air conditioning unit started making this buzzing noise around the contactor and the capacitor. The motor turns, but after about 30 minutes it stops and the buzzing starts. Should I replace the capacitor? It's 100 degrees down here and it seems like the unit is overheating.

    John, Stafford, TX

    Expert Answer

     Often a buzzing sound indicates a problem in the contactor. The issue may be with the contactor itself, or it could be the result of a low voltage problem elsewhere. A service technician would need to…

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  • Can't get temperature back down

    Aug.23.2010

    My central air conditioning gets the house temperature down to the temperature at which I have it set only in the middle of the night and early morning. As the day progresses, it slowly climbs above what I have it set at, and it goes up to between 78 and 83 degrees and then I cannot get it back down...even late at night. In the middle of the night it goes down to the proper temperature only to gradually climb again during the day. I recently had it serviced and they said everything looked okay, but my coolant was down 1 ½.

    Pat, Lakeland, FL

    Expert Answer

    The temperatures this summer have been above normal for a long period of time and well above the temperature conditions for which air conditioning systems are designed. These conditions will cause temperatures…

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  • Replacing radiators; should I recycle?

    Aug.17.2010

    I'm about to take a number of home radiators out of my house because we installed a central air conditioning and heating system and I'm trying to find out if they are worth more to sell or recycle and if you know of anyone or any businesses who would be interested in them.

    Nelson, Frederick, MD

    Expert Answer

    You could call local HVAC companies and inquire if they buy old radiators. Often the only purchaser will be one of those local scrap metal salvage companies, and they usually buy according to the weight of the…

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  • Compressor is running; condenser fan is not

    Aug.16.2010

    My condenser fan outside is NOT running but the compressor is running. I turned off everything for about 1 hour because I figured the motor was running hot. When I turned everything back on, the condenser fan started to run for a couple of minutes with the compressor running also but then the condenser fan stopped while the compressor was still humming. I then proceeded to turn everything off again just so that I do not make it where the compressor will be running hot. Was that the right thing to do? What do you think might have caused the condenser fan to stop spinning?

    Long, Houston, TX

    Expert Answer

    The condenser fan motor is failing in some way. It could be that the fan motor bearings have gone bad, or the capacitor for the motor could be bad. You shouldn’t risk running the unit without the fan…

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  • Overflowing pan under AC unit

    Aug.11.2010

    The pan under my air conditioning unit is filling with water and flooding. We cleaned out the drainpipe and tons of water came out and we thought we had fixed the problem. Within 30 minutes it was overflowing again. Any ideas?

    Drucilla, Hernando, MS

    Expert Answer

    A service technician would need to determine what the problem is. There are many causes of water from an AC unit not draining properly. It could be that a drain line is not sloped properly or perhaps the drain…

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  • Is this accurate?

    Aug.3.2010

    Here is a quote from your website. It seems inaccurate to me. What do you so called experts think? "A dual-source heat pump combines a standard air-source heat pump with a geothermal heat pump. These appliances combine the best of both systems. Dual-source heat pumps have higher efficiency ratings than air-source units, but are not as efficient as geothermal units. The main advantage of dual-source systems is that they cost much less to install than a single geothermal unit, and work almost as well."

    joe, manassas, VA

    Expert Answer

    This statement is accurate regarding the Dual-Source Heat Pump. This system is differentiated from the standard…

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  • Replace thermostat?

    Aug.3.2010

    The existing thermostat we have was installed by the builder 3 years ago and is very low quality. We have a dual zone system and the primary system heat runs off bottled propane which is not cost effective. We need a programmable thermostat as a replacement. Our service plan inspector suggested a brand but there are three different model types. How can we tell which is the best for our specific needs?

    DAwn, Purcellville, VA

    Expert Answer

    Some thermostat models are fine when hooked to a zoning system like the one you indicate. They give you single stage heating and cooling capability.…

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  • Replace the breaker

    Jul.24.2010

    Two days ago my air conditioner quit blowing out cool air and the fan did not spin. If I go back and flip the circuit breaker it will come back on, but only for about 30 minutes, then you hear it pop. (The breaker never actually flips over.) I turn off the breaker and then I wait 2 to 3 minutes, flip it and it comes back on. Then I start all over again. Will replacing the breaker fix it? (I put in new fuses.)

    treva, wichita, KS

    Expert Answer

    The breaker may be the problem or there could be an underlying issue that is causing the breaker to trip. A technician would need to check the amp draw of the unit to determine if it is drawing too much power and…

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  • Why does fan spin so slowly?

    Jul.19.2010

    My outside fan was not working on my air conditioner. I had a HVAC technician come out and he said the condenser fan motor was bad. The motor was a GE 5kcp39gf 1/4 hp 825 rpm 208-230v. I called and ordered a replacement. The new motor is an AO Smith 4MB33 1/4 hp 2 speed 1075 rpm 208-230v. We installed the new motor (which had 5 wires) to the unit using only three wires per the old set up. The AC works but the fan blades are spinning slowly on the outside unit and the motor seems to be running hot. We were unable to install the new capacitor that came with the new motor because we can't figure out how to switch the wires from the three-prong capacitor to the new two-prong capacitor (which has no markings on it). What I would like to know is what is causing the fan to spin so slowly. Is it the difference in the rpm's of the two motors and, if so, should I return the motor to the company and tell them they gave me the wrong replacement part? Or is the problem our inability to hook up the new capacitor? If the problem is the capacitor, can someone please explain how to hook up the three wires from the old capacitor to the new two-prong capacitor?

    lisa, mountain city, TN

    Expert Answer

    The motor must have the capacitor hooked to it so that the motor will work properly. If the capacitor is not connected, the fan will spin slowly and/or overheat. The…

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  • Fix heat pump or buy window units?

    Jul.19.2010

    Last night it started getting warm in my house, I checked the vents and room temperature air was coming out, I checked the unit outside and I could hear it humming but the fan blades were not turning. I have a 2.5 ton 13 SEER Amana Heat Pump RHE 30c2A which is still under warranty for parts. Would the labor be too much to fix this thing or should I just get a couple of window units (single mother of two on public assistance)?

    Wendy, Dallas, TX

    Expert Answer

    From my experience, I would think that buying two new window units would cost about the same or maybe even more than simply having this warranty repair completed. Also, as time goes on, you would find that window…

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  • Air conditioning running constantly

    Jul.19.2010

    I’m having a problem with my air conditioning running constantly. What could it be? Is there anything I can do to troubleshoot this issue?

    Kerry, Houston, TX

    Expert Answer

    Run time does increase as outside temperatures go higher, and it is normal for your air conditioner to run a lot when it’s constantly hot outdoors. However, if it runs continuously even in milder weather,…

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  • Fan not turning outside

    Jul.13.2010

    My air conditioning is not cooling very well in the house. There is air blowing out of inside vents but the air conditioning unit is not working (the fan is not turning) on the outside unit. Is this a serious and costly problem?

    Sikethia, Durham, NC

    Expert Answer

    The outdoor unit is not functioning properly if at all. If it is cooling somewhat, then the fan motor outside is failing to come on. When this happens, the compressor…

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  • Flashing red lights on defrost board

    Jul.13.2010

    The outdoor air conditioning unit will not run though the indoor unit runs. The outdoor unit will only run if you manually push in the contactor. There are two flashing red lights on the defrost board on the outdoor unit. What is the problem and what can I do?

    Ernest, Hyattsville, MD

    Expert Answer

    Circuit boards have codes that indicate problems. Often the table to read the code is found in the wiring diagram on the door of the unit. If you cannot find or decipher the code, you should contact a quality air…

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  • House hot all day

    Jul.13.2010

    The house is extremely hot during the day and it does not actually cool off until the sun goes down. It feels as if the air conditioning is not even on, even though you can hear it running. As soon as the sun goes down and especially at night the temperature in the house is where it should be in the middle of the day. The thermostat is set at 69/70 degrees. There is one room in the house that is the hottest of all the rooms and it is the smallest room in the house. My house is one level. Any suggestions what could possibly cause this?

    Trenace, Durham, NC

    Expert Answer

    A system diagnosis by a qualified technician would be required to see why the shortfall in cooling. It could be as simple as a tune-up and cleaning or maybe your system is low on refrigerant. Or it could be some…

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  • Outside unit makes clicking sound

    Jul.13.2010

    My inside air conditioner unit comes on, but the thermostat is saying 82 degrees even though I turn it down low. The outside unit is not coming on at all. When I turn on the inside unit the outside makes a clicking sound. Thank you for helping me with this issue.

    Rufus, Texas City, TX

    Expert Answer

    This noise may indicate that your 230 volt circuit feeding the outdoor air conditioner is not energized and the unit is trying to turn on when it clicks but has no line voltage present. Two places you can check…

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  • AC makes loud noise at first

    Jul.12.2010

    Whenever my air conditioning unit starts up it makes a loud drowning sound as if metal were humming but very loudly. After it is running for a while the noise either dies down or goes away. But it always returns whenever it kicks on again. It basically sounds like the unit is working harder than it should.

    Carlos, Pflugerville, TX

    Expert Answer

    A technician should check the system’s operation. Sometimes the noise is simply caused by aging equipment and a compressor making excessive…

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  • Uneven cooling

    Jul.12.2010

    My house is four years old and I have two levels with two HVAC units. The air is running good on both levels. The only problem is master bedroom (downstairs) and one room upstairs are always at least two degrees hotter than outside or any other room (no one lives in other rooms). It gets hotter if we turn on the big screen TV in our rooms, and it could be as much as six degrees hotter with the TV on. Can I just move the thermostat inside the room so it can blow out cold air while the TV is on to keep the room colder? Or is there anything else we could do at this point? Like install one more control in the room?

    ken, spring, TX

    Expert Answer

     Uneven heat loads such as a large TV or computer can cause problems like this. A new digital thermostat…

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  • House not cool enough

    Jul.12.2010

    We had an Energywise device installed by Progress-Energy last October. We've lived here since July of 2006 and had a Preventive Maintenance Inspection from you on 2/23/09. The heating and cooling units were inspected on 3/16/09 and 9/4/09 respectively. We have the thermostat set for cooling at 68 degrees. The unit runs, but the temperature in the house gets to 78 during the day. It never gets down to 68 degrees until the evening. What can be the problem?

    Lenore, Raleigh, NC

    Expert Answer

    A technician should evaluate the system to determine why there is such a shortfall in reaching the desired temperature. Cooling to 68 degrees is…

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  • Ice accumulation

    Jul.9.2010

    I have two HVAC (heat pumps) in my home and one of them has stopped working today. The copper pipe inside has ice accumulation and there is of course cold coming out of the unit while the working one has neither ice nor cold air. What's my course of action to get the nonworking unit up and running?

    David, Omaha, NE

    Expert Answer

    We often find that ice is a sign of a low refrigerant charge. Contact a professional HVAC contractor, such as Aksarben®/ARS Omaha at…

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  • Condensate tray overflowing

    Jul.9.2010

    I’m not sure if this is an air conditioning or plumbing question as it deals with the condensate line on our AC unit. We have a unit in the attic and the condensate tray is overflowing and leaking inside the house. We have manually vacuumed the drain pipe outside to remove the water but it just fills back up and starts leaking again within a few hours. We have been manually vacuuming the hose for days and still it leaks.

    Janny, HOUSTON, TX

    Expert Answer

    You need to have a safety switch installed to prevent the pan from filling up. Your air conditioning system’s condensate drain may be clogged. If the primary…

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