A/C Question

amwitched · #21 08/06/11, 11:49 AM

Our A/C freezes up too (when DH turns the thermostat down too low). We have to turn it off and let it melt. It doesn't just freeze up at the unit, it freezes up on the coil (which is under the blower unit on our system). You can actually hear the chunks of ice falling off when it starts to thaw. Ours is another section of the heat/AC unit that the top door sits on. You just have to unscrew it and take the door off.

Kstornado11 · #22 08/06/11, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alice In TX/MO

I posted a link above with pics and instructions for just that.

You are a powerful woman. You can do it.

AHA! I didn't realize there were tabs at the top of the web page!! I noticed that the tubing outside doesn't seem to be draining right, I am betting there is blockage somewhere... I still have it turned off so everything can thaw out. I can't figure out how to get the metal panel off to look inside the indoor unit... I can hear dripping in there. Hmmm... may have to wait for DH to get home, no clue how/where to take it off.

Alice In TX/MO · #23 08/06/11, 12:46 PM

On my inside unit, the front face slides UP and OFF. It has little tabs that fit into slots holding it in place. No screws or anything obvious.

I'm wondering also if your drip pan is full and not draining.

Kstornado11 · #24 08/06/11, 12:54 PM

I found the screws & got it off, couldn't see anything amiss but lots of cobwebs & etc...didn't see any kind of drain pan, or A coil.../ Looks different than the ones online. I've had it turned off all morning & everything has thawed out, I wonder if it's just wore out from running 24/7 for WEEKS... we have not had hardly a day ALL summer w/out an "excessive heat warning". I turn the thermostat up to like 84 so it at least can have a rest at night.

I'm going to have DH get the shop vac & see if he can clean the outside unit a bit better when he gets home, & check that drainage hose...wonder if all these nasty wasps & mud dobbers may have gotten up in there & made a nest? They are all over the wall in the backyard. I can't go out & do it myself right now as the 2 boys are bouncing off the walls. We had a cool front & big rain here last few days, & that's when this started. I know I have had window units freeze up on me like that when we have similar weather... oh I am really hoping fall hurries up!!

Nevada · #25 08/06/11, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kstornado11

I found the screws & got it off, couldn't see anything amiss but lots of cobwebs & etc...didn't see any kind of drain pan, or A coil...

I have a vertical unit, so my A-coil sits on top of the blower/furnace unit. I suspect you were looking into the furnace or blower area. Follow the copper tubing coming in from the outside condensing unit. Those copper tubes connect to the A-coil.

bja105 · #26 08/06/11, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agmantoo

It is illegal just to top up the freon without attempting to locate a leak.

Not true in the U.S., unless the system holds 50 lbs +, which hers doesn't.

Leave the thermostat "off" and the fan switch "on" for several hours, or overnight to thaw the ice. every bit of ice must be gone.

Lots of reasons for a freeze up, refrigerant leaks and plugged filters are the most common.

Thaw the coil and call the landlord, that's why you rent.

**Ross** · #27 08/06/11, 02:28 PM

Quote:

The newer R-410A does not require a license to buy or use, although most A/C suppliers still won't sell it without one. I don't know what's up with that, but that's the norm around here. But you can order refrigerant, gauges, and other A/C supplies online legally.

Weird here in Ontario you need a special license to get it!

Step one is always have a clean filter and dont use those hepa filters for AC they just restrict too much air flow! if you need cleaner air buy an air cleaner. Could be the fins are plugged too.

If it is still freezing up with a new nonrestrictive filter then its likely low on freon.

fordy · #28 08/06/11, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kstornado11

I found the screws & got it off, couldn't see anything amiss but lots of cobwebs & etc...didn't see any kind of drain pan, or A coil.../ Looks different than the ones online. I've had it turned off all morning & everything has thawed out, I wonder if it's just wore out from running 24/7 for WEEKS... we have not had hardly a day ALL summer w/out an "excessive heat warning". I turn the thermostat up to like 84 so it at least can have a rest at night.

I'm going to have DH get the shop vac & see if he can clean the outside unit a bit better when he gets home, & check that drainage hose...wonder if all these nasty wasps & mud dobbers may have gotten up in there & made a nest? They are all over the wall in the backyard. I can't go out & do it myself right now as the 2 boys are bouncing off the walls. We had a cool front & big rain here last few days, & that's when this started. I know I have had window units freeze up on me like that when we have similar weather... oh I am really hoping fall hurries up!!

..................ChecK your thermostat and see IF you can turn your fan on High or continuous , If yes , it'll help prevent freeze Up . The fan(inside the house) will run continuously while the outside compressor will cycle off and on . , fordy

agmantoo · #29 08/06/11, 04:32 PM

bja105

I am referencing R22 and R12 CFCs and HCFC refrigerants

The 50 lb exception rule is for COMMERCIAL equipment

The following is a copy and paste directly from the EPA literature

2.2.1.1 Technicians must be EPA certified
by 14 November 1994 to service
AC/R equipment using CFC and HCFC
refrigerants.
2.2.1.2 Since 1 July 1992, no one could
knowingly release CFC or HCFC refrigerants
into the atmosphere. This will apply
to hydrofluorocarbons (HFC) refrigerants
starting 15 November 1995

bja105 · #30 08/06/11, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agmantoo

bja105

I am referencing R22 and R12 CFCs and HCFC refrigerants

The 50 lb exception rule is for COMMERCIAL equipment

The following is a copy and paste directly from the EPA literature

2.2.1.1 Technicians must be EPA certified
by 14 November 1994 to service
AC/R equipment using CFC and HCFC
refrigerants.
2.2.1.2 Since 1 July 1992, no one could
knowingly release CFC or HCFC refrigerants
into the atmosphere. This will apply
to hydrofluorocarbons (HFC) refrigerants
starting 15 November 1995

I hold the epa section 608 Universal certification, and am a professional service tech for 11 years. R22 or R410a (R12 or others were never common in residential high temperature), makes no difference, she can legally "top it off" all she wants. Might not make economic sense, but that's a different discussion. There is no language that states leaks must be fixed in small systems, and it makes no distinction for residential vs commercial.
I'm not trying to be argumentative, and it really has little to do with the posters problems. The refrigerant laws have few teeth for the small consumers, and even less enforcement.
People, don't waste your time turning people in for venting. The government won't pursue any but the worst violations. I have never heard of anyone getting fined or investigated. The refrigerant parts of the Clean Air Act are just more typical government. It punishes those of us who do it right, lets the scoff-laws get away with it, and makes consumers pay more.

Anyway, my prior advise still stands. Call the landlord, landlord calls a pro. I hate having to fix a homeowners "fix" before I can fix the real problem. I really hope they didn't play with it all day, then call he tech out on Sunday. I hate working Sunday, especially when it was broken during the week before!

Nevada · #31 08/06/11, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bja105

There is no language that states leaks must be fixed in small systems

Sure. Besides, topping off a system with a possible leak is a far cry from deliberate venting.

pmondo · #32 08/07/11, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sawmill Jim

Low on freon if the return isn't plunged or both

yup most likely low on freon

Kstornado11 · #33 08/07/11, 04:20 AM

Well, I just left it off till almost noon, let everything thaw out, then turned it back on...so far so good (knock on wood). Thanks for all the help, if it happens again, I will better know what it might be! We are going to have to get a good window unit if we stay here by next summer, our electric bill wet from $150 in July to $ 335 in August,all due to this horrible AC!!

fordy · #34 08/07/11, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kstornado11

Well, I just left it off till almost noon, let everything thaw out, then turned it back on...so far so good (knock on wood). Thanks for all the help, if it happens again, I will better know what it might be! We are going to have to get a good window unit if we stay here by next summer, our electric bill wet from $150 in July to $ 335 in August,all due to this horrible AC!!

................Now , is the time too purchase a window unit ! They will be higher , next spring . , fordy

Kstornado11 · #35 08/18/11, 08:04 AM

The carpet inside the closet where the AC & water heater & outside the door in the hallway are SOAKING WET. Any clues what that could be? Waiting on a call back from the landlord. So much for a nice, peaceful first day of school!!

Alice In TX/MO · #36 08/18/11, 08:13 AM

The drain line from the condenser is plugged. Look for a PVC line coming off the unit's drain pan and going outside. It probably has mildew, mold, algae, and a cricket in it. Use an air compressor on the inside end and blow the gunk out. That's exactly what a service man would do.

Kstornado11 · #37 08/18/11, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alice In TX/MO

The drain line from the condenser is plugged. Look for a PVC line coming off the unit's drain pan and going outside. It probably has mildew, mold, algae, and a cricket in it. Use an air compressor on the inside end and blow the gunk out. That's exactly what a service man would do.

Ok I brought the shop vac in (air compressor wouldn't reach& I have no clue how to work it) & had my son stand outside & see what happened, he said a Whole Bunch of gunk flew pout, then it 'felt like a hair drier"! Hopefully that was it. Gonna go shop vac the water up, you just take the filter out to wet vac, is that correct?

Curtis B · #38 08/18/11, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kstornado11

Ok I brought the shop vac in (air compressor wouldn't reach& I have no clue how to work it) & had my son stand outside & see what happened, he said a Whole Bunch of gunk flew pout, then it 'felt like a hair drier"! Hopefully that was it. Gonna go shop vac the water up, you just take the filter out to wet vac, is that correct?

Take the paper filter off. If you have a foam one it is best to leave it on.

agmantoo · #39 08/18/11, 09:38 AM

Those that think they can vent freon need to read this article and tell me if it is wrong.
http://www.epa.gov/ozone/title6/608/...tml#exceptions

Kstornado11 · #40 08/18/11, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curtis B

Take the paper filter off. If you have a foam one it is best to leave it on.

OK thought so, thanks!