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Started By
Message
Need some advice from HVAC experts.
Posted on 5/3/18 at 4:39 am
Posted on 5/3/18 at 4:39 am
Noticed my thermostat showing 77 inside last night when I had it set to 73. I checked the refrigerant line outside and in the attic and sure enough it was frozen. I shut everything off and let the fan run all night to thaw it out. Checked in the attic just now and the drip pan was bone dry so I'm not sure that it ran long enough last night to before I caught it to freeze the evaporator coils.
Turned the AC back on just now to check and I'm getting cool air from the vents. What would you recommend at this point be done? Should I just run it all day and wait until I get home this evening and check if the problem repeats itself? If it happens again, how long does it need to be running to damage the compressor? Shut back off and call someone out?
Turned the AC back on just now to check and I'm getting cool air from the vents. What would you recommend at this point be done? Should I just run it all day and wait until I get home this evening and check if the problem repeats itself? If it happens again, how long does it need to be running to damage the compressor? Shut back off and call someone out?
12
Posted on 5/3/18 at 4:42 am to dualed
quote:yep, sounds like you’re low on freon
Shut back off and call someone out?
Posted on 5/3/18 at 4:44 am to dualed
Sounds like low freon. It was blowing cooler air this morning because it was cooler outside. The pipe wasn't frozen on the inside, just iced up on outside due to the pressure drop (lack of freon). You probably have a tiny leak not worth fixing. Once you get it recharged, it will probably last you a couple years. Cheaper to charge it every two-three years instead of trying to find the leak. It won't hurt to run it, but it will never cut off because it won't reach set point.
Posted on 5/3/18 at 4:45 am to Pepe Lepew
Is that normally an issue that happens quick like that where I wouldn't notice until it happened?
Posted on 5/3/18 at 4:47 am to dualed
quote:
Is that normally an issue that happens quick like that where I wouldn't notice until it happened?
Yes, it will act like it just went out over night, but it's been building up over time. You will be surprised how just losing 1-2 lbs of freon will affect the system.
Posted on 5/3/18 at 4:47 am to theantiquetiger
quote:
Sounds like low freon. It was blowing cooler air this morning because it was cooler outside. The pipe wasn't frozen on the inside, just iced up on outside due to the pressure drop (lack of freon). You probably have a tiny leak not worth fixing. Once you get it recharged, it will probably last you a couple years. Cheaper to charge it every two-three years instead of trying to find the leak. It won't hurt to run it, but it will never cut off because it won't reach set point.
Thanks this was specific and helpful. My next question would've been about a leak so this addresses this
. 
Posted on 5/3/18 at 4:49 am to theantiquetiger
So shut everything off then until I can get someone to come and refill with freon? My house is going to get ridiculously hot if I have to do that. Which if there's no other way then fine, but clearly I'd rather run it at least at like upper 70s all day.
Posted on 5/3/18 at 4:51 am to dualed
A slow leak will not allow the removal of moisture, thus the unit not keeping up. How old is it, had my “A” coil and compressor changed out a few years ago, same issue. Unit was old, this was easier than finding leak, and I got newer equipment
Posted on 5/3/18 at 4:54 am to dualed
One thing you could do yourself is clean the fins on your system outside. If it's full of dirt, leaves, grass, etc, it's not getting a good heat exchange, and not cooling off your freon.
Just simply remove the top, buy some cleaner at the store, spray it down, than hose it out from the inside out.
But it's most likely your freon.
Just simply remove the top, buy some cleaner at the store, spray it down, than hose it out from the inside out.
But it's most likely your freon.
Posted on 5/3/18 at 4:57 am to theantiquetiger
quote:
theantiquetiger
One thing to add, please disconnect the power to compressor before the water wash
This post was edited on 5/3/18 at 5:04 am
Posted on 5/3/18 at 4:58 am to Pepe Lepew
House was built in '04 and to my knowledge unit has never been replaced. It's a RUUD if that helps any.
Posted on 5/3/18 at 5:01 am to dualed
quote:
House was built in '04 and to my knowledge unit has never been replaced. It's a RUUD if that helps any.
Recharge it, it will probably last another 14 years
Posted on 5/3/18 at 5:11 am to dualed
Prolly be $150 is if it’s 410a Freon. Maybe double that if it’s the old R15 Freon.
Have the tech clean the coils in the attic as well as outside. Maybe another hour of labor.
Have the tech clean the coils in the attic as well as outside. Maybe another hour of labor.
This post was edited on 5/3/18 at 5:12 am
Posted on 5/3/18 at 5:14 am to Bullfrog
Yeah I'm gonna ask him to do that for me. I wanted to take the cover off to get to the evaporator myself but I didn't have any of the foil tape to replace the existing stuff over the panel afterwards. My return air filter was dirty so I'd imagine the coils are a bit dirty as well.
I appreciate all the info guys!
I appreciate all the info guys!
Posted on 5/3/18 at 5:20 am to dualed
Dirty filters 
Buy a 3 pack of good, 90 day filters. Change them every two months and set a continuing alert reminder on your phone so you don’t forget.
Also write the install date on the filter with a sharpie.
Buy a 3 pack of good, 90 day filters. Change them every two months and set a continuing alert reminder on your phone so you don’t forget.
Also write the install date on the filter with a sharpie.
This post was edited on 5/3/18 at 5:22 am
Posted on 5/3/18 at 5:31 am to dualed
Low on Freon or a air restriction
Posted on 5/3/18 at 5:33 am to Bullfrog
The date thing is a good idea. I'm terrible at remembering that kinda shite
Posted on 5/3/18 at 5:46 am to dualed
Have you run the system since you found the dirty filter? That could have been the problem.
Posted on 5/3/18 at 5:52 am to dualed
Step one is replace the filter, poor airflow is the #1 cause of your issue.
Posted on 5/3/18 at 5:59 am to Chili Dawg
I didn't have an new filter on hand. I ran it for a bit this morning and the air was cool, but as a poster above said it could've just been because it's cooler outside than it is my house. I just took a vacuum to the filter to remove the dirt and dust in the meantime. Gonna grab a new one on my way home, but getting a guy I know to hopefully come and take a look while I'm at work today.
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