From using my AC to this... only in Texas!
amykath
last year
Hello my friends who also live in our bazaar weather state.
I had my ac on the other day and today I see this from my balcony. Crazy!!
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Jilly
last yearlast modified: last yearPretty view!
Yep, lots of ice. All ice, no snow.
Three precious Inca Doves huddling on our patio this morning. We keep the feeders well-stocked for all the birds and squirrels, love watching them out there on days like this.
Icy driveway. Like a skating rink:
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last yearRelated Discussions
Replacing AC system in Texas, need advice please.
Comments (15)Hi, just had a complete system installed yesterday (4-18-2011). I live in N.dallas where cooling means more than heating. cost exactly 7k for everything (negotiated price). here is a list of what was installed for a single story 2000 sqft house. Trane XR13 4 ton AC condenser - 13seer, 14seer with matching system. Trane XR80 5 ton 1 stage with 4 speed blower. New matching evaporator coil with the new R-410A refrigerant. New return and supply plenums, all sheet metal construction with exterior wrapped insulation. New manual air dampers at each supply duct. Added an extra return air duct, grill and filter to double existing volume of return. New drip pan with overflow float switch (cuts off system if drainage gets blocked - keeps the ceiling from getting water damage). New electrical disconnect and wiring (located outside by the condenser). New concrete pad. New programmable thermostat. Did all the work required to rid and clean system of old coolant, hauled away old system and did a relatively good job cleaning up. This new system is so much cooler and has better airflow than the old one and should be more efficient. I really wanted the sheet metal plenums with EXTERIOR insulation and the manual dampers. This should really pay off in the long run for comfort and health. Next time I should just have to replace the AC condenser. Furnace later. All in all I think I got a good deal and I'm pretty sure the work is A+. I paid a little extra for the plenums, dampers and for Trane products. One reason I went with this contractor instead of the others is this contractor continually offered top notch material, construction and products without me having to ask. The others would match the packages and price only after I asked for the better stuff. This really spoke about the quality of work I could expect, and the contractors doing the work matters more than the brand name. But since I could get the best brand name Trane products with top notch quality workmanship, it really was a no brainer. I actually spent just a little more for this company than the slightly cheaper one for the same work....See MoreCental A/C only 10-degree temp drop
Comments (2)Eddie, with your experience I won't go over the obvious things that could be causing the issue. It is possible you don't have a leak but still be low on refrigerant. Proper pressures don't just permit proper heat removal at the evaporator but also serve to keep the compressor cool and to keep the oil where it belongs. If your refrigerant charge was really low (as would an over charge), the unit could have pumped oil through the system. This would have decreased the inside diameter of the refrigeration circuit throughout the system. It would also act as an insulator to inhibit proper heat transfer. Once you charged the system, the oil worked it's way back to the compressor and now the inside diameter of the tubing is larger. If you check the charge, it may just need additional topping off. To do a good charge on a system, one should look at amperes, temperature differences between suction and high side lines as well as head and suction pressure. I personally also use an electronic sight glass to further help in a good and efficient charge. I'm not saying this is your exact problem because the expansion valve and fan speed can be the culprit too. But, I've trouble shot enough problem units through the years where what I described has been a factor. I've also seen this happen on units where air has gotten into the system where the technician forgot to purge their lines. The moisture collects as ice at the metering device and then goes through a melting and blocking cycle that never allows the evaporator to completely do it's job. Also, an overcharge can cause it. As you know but I'll mention for the sake of those that don't...a refrigerant charge peaks out and plateaus. Adding more refrigerant then starts a drop in the cooling capacity as well as causing other damage like bent valves in a reciprocating compressor or damaged pistons....See MoreHelp with new AC system - Texas
Comments (3)I think one must ask why you are relocating ductwork from crawlspace to attic. I do not like to see HVAC dealers use ductwork replacement as a large profit center. Materials are relatively cheap and labor for removal of old and install of new is on the low end in the residential HVAC marketplace.i think there is negotiating room on the ductwork prices you were given. You want the highest R rating available. Flex or a combination? How many returns? The two systems you are considering are not comparable. Carrier system is the better system. Unless you are just looking for a price, I would not have the Lennox. You want a filter box cabinet for either system. IMO This post was edited by tigerdunes on Fri, Sep 19, 14 at 4:53...See MoreCould use some advice from Texas
Comments (35)Here is a list I compiled of blooming plants that do well for me in the heat of summer. Bear in mind........these might not do well for everyone, but they work for me. I would think they would do well in any hot climate. My clematis have always done just fine with extra mulch/composted horse mature put on the base of the crown - same as I do for my roses. When I first started growing them, I put the proverbial stone over the roots to keep them shaded. When I realized it didnt make any difference, I just used the mulch. I just bought 3 more at Tractor Supply this afternoon. [Nelly Moser, Jackmanii and Rouge Cardinal]......needed some special feed for one of my older horses - came out with that, 3 clematis and 3 roses - Tiffany, that I had been wanting, 2 Sally Holmes, 1 for a friend. Same with Walmart - found 3 Lavender Crush I had to have........good thing every store I go into doesnt have roses! Hope this list helps! SUMMER PLANT LIST: periwinkles [Pacifica red is great] angelonia – dark purple and white show up best purselane/portulaca [does well in pots] – edging in hot sun hibiscus [tropical] – in pots or planted in ground lantana – New Gold is not as invasive mandavilla – climbing vine, loves hot sun plumbago canna Sun Coleus profusion zinnas [like white & yellow gomphrena [combo: orange marigolds or profusion zinnias w/ purple gomphrena] Fireworks is lovely – tall and spreads zinnas from seed [spray for mildew] salvia – perennial greggii [put in drifts or rows] - Blue farnicia esperanza Gold Bells - sun cant get hot enough for this one, blooms constantly blue daze Lady In Red salvia [overwintered well in pot in greenhouse in 2011- Celosia cristata – cockscomb celosia – loves heat Mexican Honeysuckle – justinicia Mexican heather Mexican Cosmos [tithonia] – hard to find, was at ARE Jerusalem sage potato vine [use new bronze color with fall blooming plants] grasses: purple fountain grass ,asparagus fern, ornamental peppers...See More
User
last yearCrazy, isn't it? It's sleeting here, again. This entire week will be "work from home" for me and my colleagues. No way I'm driving on these streets, which are solid ice and not going to improve much until Friday. Here's my current landscape. So bleak.
amykath thanked Useramykath
last yearamykath
last yearlast modified: last yearamykath
last yearJilly
last yearlast modified: last yearJana, ugh, hate to hear that. Hope for no more damage.
Couldn’t get a clear photo, took it quick … just looked out onto the back patio and a female Cardinal was eating leftover cat food. I know it’s not great for them to eat, I’ll remove it when she flies off.
She has ice on her tail.
amykath thanked Jillyamykath
last yearJilly
last yearlast modified: last yearJust went out and took these shots of big icicles on our shrub. They don’t show up well in pics, but look very cool in person. Most are over a foot long.
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last year
summersrhythm_z6a
last yearlast modified: last year
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amykathOriginal Author