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Started By
Message
HVAC Expert Needed
Posted on 8/9/20 at 11:34 am
Posted on 8/9/20 at 11:34 am
Highs have been 91F or so recently with lows around 72F. I came home from work Friday night, and temp inside was 80F. I had low air flow, and the evaporator coil was frozen. I turned the A/C off and left the blower fan running overnight. The next morning, the evaporator coil was no longer frozen so I replaced our air filters (dirty, but not too bad) and turned the A/C back on, and it did okay. Air flow was normal and temp in the house got back down to 73F by Saturday night. Sunday morning, the evaporator coil was frozen again, and air flow was low. I turned the A/C off and turned the blower fan off for a few minutes before turning the fan back on. After turning the fan back on, the air flow returned to normal. This leads me to believe there's an issue with my blower fan motor causing it to slow down, or maybe an issue with the blower fan capacitor.
Random notes: I had an HVAC tech check my charge a couple weeks ago as I felt my system wasn't keeping up as well as it used to during the summer, and he said it wasn't low. He said my system was probably just a little undersized. Just before that something had happened to my Nest thermostat while we had family staying with us (one of my nephews was probably playing with it), and the Nest was a little loose, and the common wire had come disconnected. It disabled the system until I reconnected the common wire. For the next day or so, it felt like the thermostat was reading higher than it should have, but I haven't noticed this issue again.
I don't want to damage my system by allowing the evaporator coil to continue to freeze up periodically. What say the experts? Thank you for your help!!!
Random notes: I had an HVAC tech check my charge a couple weeks ago as I felt my system wasn't keeping up as well as it used to during the summer, and he said it wasn't low. He said my system was probably just a little undersized. Just before that something had happened to my Nest thermostat while we had family staying with us (one of my nephews was probably playing with it), and the Nest was a little loose, and the common wire had come disconnected. It disabled the system until I reconnected the common wire. For the next day or so, it felt like the thermostat was reading higher than it should have, but I haven't noticed this issue again.
I don't want to damage my system by allowing the evaporator coil to continue to freeze up periodically. What say the experts? Thank you for your help!!!
17
Posted on 8/9/20 at 11:38 am to audodger
Got about $7k lying around?
Posted on 8/9/20 at 11:41 am to audodger
Yeah it could be what you said. You need a tech to check. Bigedlsu@yahoo.com for discounts
Posted on 8/9/20 at 11:46 am to BigEdLSU
quote:
Yeah it could be what you said. You need a tech to check.
Could a malfunctioning capacitor cause it to slow the blower motor down which is then causing my evaporator coil to freeze?
Posted on 8/9/20 at 11:48 am to audodger
You could purchase a digital reader ( Lowes)...to test temp in house and what is blowing out your ac vents...and return air
ideally you want 15-20 degree difference between supply and return air...
ideally looking for temps coming out of supplies around 60-63
you might try putting your old thermostat back on to see if the unit behaves a little better.
if the hVAC guy says the unit is charged fine...then I am not sure
likely a humidity issue your'e battling.
The more I learn, the more I think a whole house dehumidifier is the way to go so we can enjoy the feel of the air temperature, and likely have the temp set higher to conserve energy.
ideally you want 15-20 degree difference between supply and return air...
ideally looking for temps coming out of supplies around 60-63
you might try putting your old thermostat back on to see if the unit behaves a little better.
if the hVAC guy says the unit is charged fine...then I am not sure
likely a humidity issue your'e battling.
The more I learn, the more I think a whole house dehumidifier is the way to go so we can enjoy the feel of the air temperature, and likely have the temp set higher to conserve energy.
Posted on 8/9/20 at 11:48 am to audodger
No
Usually just won’t turn the fan on
Usually just won’t turn the fan on
Posted on 8/9/20 at 11:52 am to audodger
I had this issue a few year back and found we had a leak and the system was low.
Posted on 8/9/20 at 11:57 am to AUriptide
quote:
I had this issue a few year back and found we had a leak and the system was low.
That's what I would think too, but the HVAC tech said charge was fine, and I'm having an air flow issue at times that seems to go away when I turn the blower off and back on. I did have low charge about 3 years ago, but it's the only other time I've had it checked since I bought the house 4 years ago. It could have been a tiny leak over the last 15 years for all I know that hasn't gotten any worse. I was surprised that he found the charge wasn't low at all.
Posted on 8/9/20 at 11:58 am to audodger
interesting!!!!
had the same thing happen thursday on a rental i have in br... my tennant described similar thing..
ac tech looked at it and said freon level ok but topped it off with just a little...tennant said replaced filter three days before iced up...
tech did not see restrictions....did notice the motor appeared to be struggling and rattle ...
ordered a new compresdor motor and suppose to be installed monday... air flow problem across coils i think... want to get fixed before strains other parts of system... it is a rental so we always try to repair before replace due to tax write off rules...
had the same thing happen thursday on a rental i have in br... my tennant described similar thing..
ac tech looked at it and said freon level ok but topped it off with just a little...tennant said replaced filter three days before iced up...
tech did not see restrictions....did notice the motor appeared to be struggling and rattle ...
ordered a new compresdor motor and suppose to be installed monday... air flow problem across coils i think... want to get fixed before strains other parts of system... it is a rental so we always try to repair before replace due to tax write off rules...
Posted on 8/9/20 at 12:01 pm to audodger
I’m no expert but I’ve been having the same problem with my old upstairs unit and my ac guy told me it’s more than likely the compressor is about to go out and to get ready to buy a while new unit. The heater is fine, I’ll just have to replace the inside and outside units.
Posted on 8/9/20 at 12:01 pm to ApexTiger
quote:
ApexTiger
I'm in NW GA so humidity is definitely a factor. Do you suggest I just ensure the system is off for a few hours each night with the fan running and keep a close eye on the evaporator coil to make sure it doesn't freeze until I can get a dehumidifier installed if I need to go that route?
Posted on 8/9/20 at 12:04 pm to audodger
Turn it off, pull the circuit breaker outside the house by the unit, unscrew the top of the outside unit and pull it off. Then get your water hose with a pressure nozzle and spray off the coils from inside outward. Dirt and leaves and crap get sucked into those coils, causing the unit to operate improperly and eventually blow the capacitor. Once finished, put it back together and restart.
Posted on 8/9/20 at 12:06 pm to djangochained
quote:
No Usually just won’t turn the fan on
There is another capacitor, called a “run capacitor” in your HVAC system. These capacitors provide a steady stream of electrical energy to the fan motors in your system.
Posted on 8/9/20 at 12:09 pm to audodger
I ran into similar problems the last couple years in the house we are in now. Started off recharging freon, then another company came and said my evaporator coil was leaking so I replaced it and the unit did better. Started running into the same problems this year, high humidity, low cooking.
Called a local guy that runs his own business and still does his own work, he found an issue no other company ever even looked for even though they wanted to sell me a whole new unit. Air return in the attic wasn't sized properly or sealed. Built me a new plenum from sheet metal and got me the proper air flow and voila it's like a whole new unit outside.
Called a local guy that runs his own business and still does his own work, he found an issue no other company ever even looked for even though they wanted to sell me a whole new unit. Air return in the attic wasn't sized properly or sealed. Built me a new plenum from sheet metal and got me the proper air flow and voila it's like a whole new unit outside.
Posted on 8/9/20 at 12:10 pm to audodger
Turn your unit off using the thermostat, wait ten minutes then see if the exterior unit is still running. Could be a stuck contactor.
Posted on 8/9/20 at 12:10 pm to audodger
quote:
This leads me to believe there's an issue with my blower fan motor causing it to slow down, or maybe an issue with the blower fan capacitor.
no, its low on freon or the evaporator coil needs cleaning, possibly a combination of both.
its not blowing good air because the coil is blocked with ice and the sheet of ice fell off that short time you turned it off so thats why airflow returned to normal. a fan will work or not work, there is no in between with them turning slower
Posted on 8/9/20 at 12:11 pm to audodger
1) check filter
2) check the condenser coil. A build up of grass clipping a and dust/oak tree pollen can count the coil and block heat transfer. To clean, kill condenser breaker and remove screws for the fan on top. Pull fan to the side and get a Jose to spray from inside unit to our side unit to clean coils.
3) check evaporator coil (in indoor unit) for dust/lint build up. Vacuum return air side.
4) make sure outdoor fan is blowing when indoor unit is running. Fan not running will cause lack of heat transfer.
5) as other stated. Ideal temp difference is around 18 degrees (15-20) entering return air and blowing out the grill
If u do 1-4 and then check 5 and you delta is not at least 15 call another HVAC tech. Charge is likely off.
2) check the condenser coil. A build up of grass clipping a and dust/oak tree pollen can count the coil and block heat transfer. To clean, kill condenser breaker and remove screws for the fan on top. Pull fan to the side and get a Jose to spray from inside unit to our side unit to clean coils.
3) check evaporator coil (in indoor unit) for dust/lint build up. Vacuum return air side.
4) make sure outdoor fan is blowing when indoor unit is running. Fan not running will cause lack of heat transfer.
5) as other stated. Ideal temp difference is around 18 degrees (15-20) entering return air and blowing out the grill
If u do 1-4 and then check 5 and you delta is not at least 15 call another HVAC tech. Charge is likely off.
Posted on 8/9/20 at 12:13 pm to audodger
I'd certainly have the freon checked again.
The air flow will definately be low with a frozen coil blocking the airway.
An undersized unit will run constantly, but should not be freezing up on you.
The air flow will definately be low with a frozen coil blocking the airway.
An undersized unit will run constantly, but should not be freezing up on you.
Posted on 8/9/20 at 12:14 pm to Eyebesmacinhose
quote:
Turn it off, pull the circuit breaker outside the house by the unit, unscrew the top of the outside unit and pull it off. Then get your water hose with a pressure nozzle and spray off the coils from inside outward. Dirt and leaves and crap get sucked into those coils, causing the unit to operate improperly and eventually blow the capacitor. Once finished, put it back together and restart.
This. Had the same issue on a 15 year old system annually and it cleared it up every time. Could also be dirty coils in the attic.
Also go buy coil cleaning foam and after you hose it, let that do some work.
Posted on 8/9/20 at 12:14 pm to tigeraddict
Also on a side note, remember hearing a story from a tech. Owner have freezing up issues. When he arrived return air filter wa clean and in obstructed. Went out twice. Third time owner hadn’t moved the table that had a table cloth on it from in front of return air grill. The table cloth was chocking air flow. Owner moved table and no more issues
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