question about AC servicing...

15 years ago

Just wanted to get an opinion on an issue we are having with our AC.

Our AC was working, but not able to cool the house below 76 on the really hot days.

We had it serviced. They cleaned everything and added a lb or so of coolant.

Now it won't cool the house below 80 and is freezing up outside. (line and compressor.)

We called back today, and they said it must be a leak, that they would have had no way of knowing it was a leak on the previous call, and that we would be charged again for a normal service call. They are also saying they are booked and may not get to us till next week. If their statement is correct, I'll just call someone else who can get to us sooner. If we are being given a "line" I'll be calling them back and "discussing" it with them.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

thanks

Comments (3)

zl700
15 years ago
Find a better educated and responsive HVAC co.
They have no clue or at least that tech.

Your system was originally undersized (to your temp needs). It was peperhaps dirty and maybe losing capacity due to age.

Now that he opened up the system, they either left a cap loose leaving a leak or overcharged the system which is my guess not knowing the operation stats.
udarrell_2007
15 years ago
You cannot jump to conclusions concerning your air conditioner's performance.

The humidity level, the wind velocity & many factors enter into the picture.

You just spent money to have the situation made a lot worse.
---------------
If you really want to know how well your unit is performing!

AC TROUBLE SHOOTING DATA
Age of unit, Tonnage & SEER &/or EER Rating __
Square Footage of home & major city near you ___

"ALL TEMPS in FAHRENHEIT -F"

Outdoor condenserÂs discharge-air-temperature ___
Out-Door temperature: __
Condenser air temperature split __

Indoor Total-ESP
All Airflow Velocities in FPM: _______
I will convert to CFM:

Suction line pres. __

Suction-Vapor line temperature: ___
SST - Gage - Suction Saturated Temperature. ___
Superheat ___

Head pres. ___
SCT - Gage - Saturated Condensing Temp ___
LLT - Liquid line temperature: ___
Subcooling: ___

With the information data below and an accurate CFM airflow + sea-level height, I can ball-park its BTUH output
Return Air temp DB &, WB or %RH: __
Supply Air temp DB &, WB or %RH: __

Except for the pressures you can take most of the readings for us.
Copy & paste the above chart in your Word Processor, fill it out, then copy & paste it in your response to us.
My advice: get a low cost humidity gage at a local hardware store & see what the percentage-RH is in your home, I can cross-reference that to the wet bulb depression.

Then, perhaps we can provide a ballpark opinion on how well the system is performing.

Every home If they want to save money, owner should do the above & request that information from a service tech.

If it was pulling it down to 75 or 76-F in very hot weather, it is not undersized. That is design temperature!
--------------
- udarrell

Here is a link that might be useful: A/C System Superheat & Subcooling Procedures for Optimal Charging
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zl700
15 years ago
In addition to Darrell's post

I will reiterate my previous post-

Sizing depends on your temp needs/desires besides published design temp standards.

It is not unheard of to be 20 degrees in the north. But without explaining that to a customer, when it is 95+ and humid, perhaps your AC temp will not go below 76 degrees.

As install co's are being held accountable, many are sizing 25-30 degrees design to cover their a..

Go to a restaurant or store; is it not 72 inside when it's a 100 out? ThatÂs what we are getting used to.

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question about AC servicing...

Comments (3)

zl700

udarrell_2007

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zl700

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