Do I need a start assist kit for my AC unit?
Jimmy W
last year
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Comments (13)
mike_home
last yearJimmy W
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AC Unit Hard Start Kit for Dimming Lights
Comments (1)A hardstart kit will not resolve your issue. It would help minimize the initial surge during start-up but, I think you said this "brown out" happens only while the unit is in cycle. What amp service service do you have? Do your neighbors experience a dimming of lights when your A/C starts or is running?...See MoreReplacing older A/C unit -- where to start?
Comments (10)There are one pipe steam systems which have radiator vent at one end. As the steam enters from the opposite end, moist air is released into the room. It helps keep the humidity high in the winter. I suppose the humidifier would be integrated with the air handler. But it will need to be wired so the condenser does not turn on. It is not a common set up. The refrigerant in use is R410a. Systems were R22 are no longer allowed to be manufactured. Air handlers can be single. multiple, or variable speed. AC condensers come in single and 2-stage varieties. If you live in Virginia (not sure about DC itself) the minimum SEER rating allowed is 14. You want a contractor who will size the equipment to your house and climate and install it properly. He should also inspect the duct work for problems and size. In my opinion a small to medium sized family owned business who is an authorized dealer of one the major brands who be a good choice....See MoreMy window is very narrow, do I have any A/C options?
Comments (29)You're right, portables are about half as efficient overall as window units and where you really see that is in their inability to cool more than a single room. I don't have any data to support this statement but I believe that the BTU rating of a portable is simply a reflection of the theoretical cooling capacity of the unit's actual refrigeration system. They neglect the designed-in inefficiencies, such as loss of cooled room air and rejection of heat back to the room from the warm hose(s), motors, etc. I make this statement because they'll claim a certain BTU, but notice that portables do not have the official AHAM seal that states their capacity, as window units have. Portables really operate on a whole different theory of cooling. In Europe, where they're quite popular, temperatures are generally not as high as in the US, and room cooling takes the form of getting some cooled air blowing around so you feel more comfortable while you're in reach of that cooled air. Put one in the bedroom and blow it across the bed, etc. And of course in a situation where you have a lot of heat generated in a house, such as while cooking, or if there are many people inside, a single hose portable actually cools in two ways - it blows around some cooled air, and it exhausts the hot inside air. If it's 85 degrees inside and 78 outside - not an uncommon situation when you're generating a lot of heat within the home - the fact that the portable is sucking in outdoor air is no problem at all. But yes, in the American cooling paradigm where we keep the house closed up and want to maintain 72 inside when it's 95 outside, portables are not well adapted to that. You have to view them as an appliance that creates a "cool zone" where you get relief from the heat while you're near the unit....See More3 ton AC needs replaced; manual J indicates bigger unit needed; help!
Comments (20)Are these installers choosing to ignore the load calculation and your desire for the temperature to be 72-74F degrees during the hottest part of the day? Do they think 3.5 tons will be sufficient or is it a matter of not spending the additional money on a furnace? A 2-stage AC provides some additional comfort. It will be be quieter and you won't have the cold blasts of air that a 3.5 or 4 ton system normally provides. I am not sure why an installer would refuse to install a 2-stage system. Did he give a reason? I am a little skeptical your current furnace does not have a blower capable of 1600 CFM of air flow. If you can provide the model number so this could be verified. Investing in a 95%+ efficiency furnace may be a good investment if you plan to live in this house for the next several years. 3.5 ton 13 seer $4700 installed; 3.5 ton 16 seer $4800 installed. Can't comment on these prices without know what is being installed. You probably will not achieve a 16 SEER rating with your current furnace. The installer has no way of verifying the performance. Quoted $4000 installed for 90K BTU 80% single-stage. "Comfortmaker-Tempstar". I think you are being quoted a low end furnace. Avoid this if you have the funds. Basically $8k for a 3.5t AC and 95% furnace. Additional $4k to go to a 4.0t two-stage stage AC and 97% two-stage furnace. Another option is a single stage 4 ton AC and single stage furnace if the $12K quote is beyond what you want to spend. If you provide the model numbers of all equipment (coil, thermostat etc.) you will get some feedback...See Moresktn77a
last yearJimmy W
last yearJimmy W
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last yearlast modified: last yearJimmy W
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