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Message
AC Question: Temp increases when I set the thermostat lower
Posted on 5/9/24 at 7:06 pm
Posted on 5/9/24 at 7:06 pm
Noticed this issue yesterday evening when I got home and again today. Got home and the AC was set to 72 and cycling on and off as usual. Decided I wanted it a little cooler so I dropped it to 70. About 30 minutes later I feel the house getting warmer and more humid. Checked the thermostat and it was reading 74.
I pushed the thermostat back up to 74 and the system eventually cycled off. I let it run another cycle at 74 and then after it kicked off, waited about 5 minutes and set it to 73 and then let it run for another couple of cycles. Did the same thing again and now I have it back down to 72.
Filter was changed yesterday and I've checked the pan in the attic and there is zero condensation in it. Went outside and the low pressure line is sweating but does not feel very cold at all. I'm assuming it's low on refrigerant but any other possible suggestions are welcome.
The outside unit has one of those blue filters on one of the lines which tells me a few years before I bought the house, there was a leak and the filter was put on.
I pushed the thermostat back up to 74 and the system eventually cycled off. I let it run another cycle at 74 and then after it kicked off, waited about 5 minutes and set it to 73 and then let it run for another couple of cycles. Did the same thing again and now I have it back down to 72.
Filter was changed yesterday and I've checked the pan in the attic and there is zero condensation in it. Went outside and the low pressure line is sweating but does not feel very cold at all. I'm assuming it's low on refrigerant but any other possible suggestions are welcome.
The outside unit has one of those blue filters on one of the lines which tells me a few years before I bought the house, there was a leak and the filter was put on.
4
Posted on 5/9/24 at 7:46 pm to BayouBengal51
quote:
Noticed this issue yesterday evening when I got home and again today. Got home and the AC was set to 72 and cycling on and off as usual. Decided I wanted it a little cooler so I dropped it to 70. About 30 minutes later I feel the house getting warmer and more humid. Checked the thermostat and it was reading 74.
you need to replace the batteries in it once a year
when the batteries get weak, the thermostat can do some very strange things
if you dont have a battery operated thermostat, or it could just be that you short cycled the outdoor unit causing the compressor overload protection to trip and shut the compressor off, it doesnt reset until the compressor cools of
This post was edited on 5/9/24 at 7:53 pm
Posted on 5/9/24 at 7:48 pm to keakar
Replaced them about 4 months ago but I'll do it again tonight. Thank you for the suggestion.
Posted on 5/9/24 at 7:51 pm to BayouBengal51
quote:
Replaced them about 4 months ago but I'll do it again tonight. Thank you for the suggestion.
you can never know how good batteries are, my neighbor got a 15 pack from sams and half of them were half dead right out the pack and who checks the sell by dates on batteries?
Posted on 5/9/24 at 8:30 pm to keakar
Well just replaced them, we will see what happens. Not too hopeful though, my luck is never that good 
My unit takes R22 so I know Im in for a ride if it needs to be charged 
My unit takes R22 so I know Im in for a ride if it needs to be charged 
Posted on 5/9/24 at 9:09 pm to BayouBengal51
Set the stat to 74° and put a lamp under it. 
Posted on 5/9/24 at 9:46 pm to BayouBengal51
Sounds like your A coil in the attic is freezing up. You need to check your suction side refrigerant line. That’s the big line going into your outside unit. Either low Freon or low air flow across the coil will cause it to freeze up.
Posted on 5/9/24 at 10:05 pm to BayouBengal51
For what it’s worth, my thermostat is doing the same thing right now and it’s electric, not battery powered. Granted, my coils are frozen, the blower is breaking, and there’s a major coolant leak in it right now and I’m replacing it next week.
I’m sure it’s just a coincidence that we’re having the same problem right now though.
I’m sure it’s just a coincidence that we’re having the same problem right now though
. Posted on 5/9/24 at 10:32 pm to TDsngumbo
Well putting in a call to the AC guy tomorrow. I'm can fix car AC's, thats my limit lol. Looks like it may be low on freon. I hope it's just a leaking seal somewhere that he can find, fix and recharge and hope she runs for a few more years. It's been a good AC since I've moved in, when running properly it will run you out of the house if want it to.
Posted on 5/10/24 at 6:45 am to BayouBengal51
Have him change the schrader valves if he has to charge it. It's easy and cheap and it's the reason for a slow leak a lot of the time.
Posted on 5/10/24 at 8:04 am to DMAN1968
My unit takes R22 so I know Im in for a ride if it needs to be charged
_______________________________________________________
r22 i happen to have a jug
_______________________________________________________
r22 i happen to have a jug
Posted on 5/10/24 at 11:02 am to BayouBengal51
That happened to me when changing a friend's thermostat to a Nest. In the first few iterations, the Nest couldn't actuate the reversing valve in certain heat pumps. (Undersized mosfet switch.) So this unit heated no matter the heat/cool setting.
Sounds like a different issue here, but wanted to add that possibility for future reference.
Sounds like a different issue here, but wanted to add that possibility for future reference.
Posted on 5/10/24 at 11:27 am to Miketheseventh
quote:
Sounds like your A coil in the attic is freezing up. You need to check your suction side refrigerant line. That’s the big line going into your outside unit. Either low Freon or low air flow across the coil will cause it to freeze up.
This is likely the cause, associated with low R-22. Longer run time associated with lowering the thermostat combined with low refrigerant will cause the evap coil to freeze thereby restricting air flow through the coil and into the house, causing the house temp to rise - sounds counter-intuitive - but that’s the way it works.
But it does sound like the refrigerant level is not extremely low because you were maintaining 72 F. But it may be time start squirreling away some $ for a replacement unit.
Posted on 5/10/24 at 2:13 pm to BayouBengal51
quote:
My unit takes R22 so I know Im in for a ride if it needs to be charged
yes it is that bad, a freon leak requiring they add r-22, will cost more for the freon, than just replacing the whole unit. r-22 is off the charts expensive to the tune of "holy shite is that the real price?"
since the unit is that old, it may need a hard start kit added to help it not have issues if its cycled on and off quickly. they are easy to install, just 2 wires that connect to the run capacitor, and thats it. it gives the old compressor extra starting power boost and can add to its life.
if the batteries dont solve the issue the hard start kit will.
look here and see what they are LINK
PS - if you buy it from the a/c guy, that $10 start kit you can buy and install yourself, will cost you $50 or more, after they mark up the price
i strongly suggest, whether the battery changed fixed it or not, that you buy the start kit i linked and it takes 1 minute to install it, even if you know nothing of electricity. you can still do it, and it will greatly extend the life of your compressor.
if you still have any issues after installing the hard start kit, then and only then is it time to call the a/c repair guy
This post was edited on 5/10/24 at 6:46 pm
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