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My home's central A/C system is driving me nuts
- Thread starter TheOtherGoose
- Start date
Jeepster04
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 25, 2013
- Messages
- 3,110
For what its worth, at the hottest part of the day today, it was 92F and the humidity didn't drop below 70%. The temp coming out of my vents at the highest outdoor temp was 58F and I keep it set to 72F. I constantly watch my HVAC temps and can view them on my phone... Its fun...
Thankfully, my unit is evidently slightly oversized and I can lower the temp in my house anytime I want. Obviously if its too oversized you'll have humidity issues.
13 seer it oddly low. I thought the minimum was above that? Mine was installed in 2001 and works great.
Thankfully, my unit is evidently slightly oversized and I can lower the temp in my house anytime I want. Obviously if its too oversized you'll have humidity issues.
13 seer it oddly low. I thought the minimum was above that? Mine was installed in 2001 and works great.
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Dakotadadv8
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 30, 2021
- Messages
- 1,514
88 outside high humidity. 80 upstairs and 76 downstairs and we are cold downstairs. 3 ton unit, ac set to 79 at night. You must be freezing with ac set at 74.
OP
TheOtherGoose
Well-known member
Thanks for all the numbers, guys.
A recent cycle (thermostat set at 75 degrees) showed 66 degrees @ 58% humidity coming out of the register. Just for giggles, I've set the system at 74 and it never trips the thermostat. Just to add to the fun, the system has developed a slight drone recently.
I'll pass along what I learn from the pros...
A recent cycle (thermostat set at 75 degrees) showed 66 degrees @ 58% humidity coming out of the register. Just for giggles, I've set the system at 74 and it never trips the thermostat. Just to add to the fun, the system has developed a slight drone recently.
I'll pass along what I learn from the pros...
OP
TheOtherGoose
Well-known member
Well, I had an informative visit from a knowledgeable A/C tech.
The theory is that either a bit of solder from the old refrigerant lines (which had several soldered joints) may be clogging the coil-end orifice or the orifice itself may be incorrectly sized. When I consider the sloppy initial installation, I doubt that the guys that replaced the lines would check for a clog. Apparently the pressure at the expansion point is way off, so the system is only working like a 1/2 ton system.
I have to wait until tomorrow to see if this theory proves correct, but at least the idea makes sense and gives me hope. I have to pay for the repair, but after four years of unsuccessful service calls it'll be nice to get this settled.
Fingers crossed...
The theory is that either a bit of solder from the old refrigerant lines (which had several soldered joints) may be clogging the coil-end orifice or the orifice itself may be incorrectly sized. When I consider the sloppy initial installation, I doubt that the guys that replaced the lines would check for a clog. Apparently the pressure at the expansion point is way off, so the system is only working like a 1/2 ton system.
I have to wait until tomorrow to see if this theory proves correct, but at least the idea makes sense and gives me hope. I have to pay for the repair, but after four years of unsuccessful service calls it'll be nice to get this settled.
Fingers crossed...
danski0224
Well-known member
There normally isn't a gauge port at the metering device...
You must have gotten lucky.
You must have gotten lucky.
OP
TheOtherGoose
Well-known member
At this point, I can only hope that I've gotten lucky. The tech seems to know his stuff and his theory of what the problem may be sounds plausible. The tech's meter was pretty comprehensive with sensors at both lines (four in total) and sensors at both register and return. All sensors were displayed on a cellphone app.
Unfortunately we're proceeding on a theory of what may be the cause. Worst case scenario: four hours of work on the clock and no fix. The tech is very nice guy and assures us that he'll fix the problem, but things are a bit open-ended.
Here's an interesting wrinkle to the situation: the tech used to work for the company that installed the unit. He left years ago due to a decline in management/quality.
Unfortunately we're proceeding on a theory of what may be the cause. Worst case scenario: four hours of work on the clock and no fix. The tech is very nice guy and assures us that he'll fix the problem, but things are a bit open-ended.
Here's an interesting wrinkle to the situation: the tech used to work for the company that installed the unit. He left years ago due to a decline in management/quality.
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OP
TheOtherGoose
Well-known member
I really feel like I got lucky finding this new HVAC tech. Very professional.
Things turned out as diagnosed. The problem was an incorrectly-sized orifice (probably installed at the factory). In light of rest of the shoddy install, it wasn't surprising to either of us that this variable wasn't checked at installation. The standard factory-installed orifice is 0.057" with the option to increase to 0.059" for a two-ton compressor; we found a 0.051" orifice had been installed. The tech said that the system would never function properly with such an incorrect size. The undersized orifice was also causing strain on the compressor due to the excess pressure, which explains why the system was starting to make an odd noise lately. I'm already wondering if this strain may have shortened the compressor's lifespan a bit...
Although I've had to pay for what should have been covered by warranty, I'm happy things are finally working properly. Since the tech used to work for the guys that installed the system (he left two years before my install), he's going to get in touch with them and explain this situation(!) I doubt the installing HVAC company will voluntarily reimburse me for my expenses, but I can always hope.
I'm going to follow-up with the original installation HVAC company later in the week to see where things stand. I genuinely doubt, though, that anybody at the installing HVAC company would have diagnosed the problem.
At least the four-year saga of a poorly installed HVAC system may actually be over. Thanks again for all your posts on this problem.
EDIT: I forgot to mention the Fieldpiece gauge the tech used - very impressive:
https://www.fieldpiece.com
Things turned out as diagnosed. The problem was an incorrectly-sized orifice (probably installed at the factory). In light of rest of the shoddy install, it wasn't surprising to either of us that this variable wasn't checked at installation. The standard factory-installed orifice is 0.057" with the option to increase to 0.059" for a two-ton compressor; we found a 0.051" orifice had been installed. The tech said that the system would never function properly with such an incorrect size. The undersized orifice was also causing strain on the compressor due to the excess pressure, which explains why the system was starting to make an odd noise lately. I'm already wondering if this strain may have shortened the compressor's lifespan a bit...
Although I've had to pay for what should have been covered by warranty, I'm happy things are finally working properly. Since the tech used to work for the guys that installed the system (he left two years before my install), he's going to get in touch with them and explain this situation(!) I doubt the installing HVAC company will voluntarily reimburse me for my expenses, but I can always hope.
I'm going to follow-up with the original installation HVAC company later in the week to see where things stand. I genuinely doubt, though, that anybody at the installing HVAC company would have diagnosed the problem.
At least the four-year saga of a poorly installed HVAC system may actually be over. Thanks again for all your posts on this problem.
EDIT: I forgot to mention the Fieldpiece gauge the tech used - very impressive:
https://www.fieldpiece.com
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larry4406
Well-known member
At least a problem was found and fixed.
Circle back with performance data post repair.
Set stat to 75-76 on a hot day, go to work at 6-7 am. Come back at 5-6 pm and set it to 72F and see how fast a heat soaked house recovers. This test sounds like the original complaint.
Circle back with performance data post repair.
Set stat to 75-76 on a hot day, go to work at 6-7 am. Come back at 5-6 pm and set it to 72F and see how fast a heat soaked house recovers. This test sounds like the original complaint.
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OP
TheOtherGoose
Well-known member
The repair tech has advised us to do just about what you suggest, Larry. We're going to set the temp down tonight and see how it works (and I guess it helps the system equalize or something like that). The tech will call tomorrow just to follow up and make sure things are working well.
Even though the service wasn't paid by the warranty, we're happy campers.
Even though the service wasn't paid by the warranty, we're happy campers.
Fav Onefour
Well-known member
@TheOtherGoose , I am so glad that you did a follow up response with the actual issue. It often seems that ideas are thrown around and nobody knows what was actually wrong. I'm sure this information can help someone else down the road.
gagecalman
Well-known member
Just curious if the nameplate on the condenser states the piston size.
Wonder why is wasn't a TXV.
Wonder why is wasn't a TXV.
I really feel like I got lucky finding this new HVAC tech. Very professional.
https://www.fieldpiece.com
If he works for a company, and not just himself, send the company a note saying this. Good management loves to hear this.
OP
TheOtherGoose
Well-known member
Thanks for your kind replies, guys. I just got the bill for the repair and it is very reasonable. Although the HVAC company already has very good reviews (I'm kicking myself for not knowing about them sooner), I'm going to pay in person with positive feedback.
Unfortunately, the nameplate didn't have any piston info on it. The installers did leave a piston chart along with other documentation at installation, so it was a quick lookup to find the piston spec based on the model number. According to the new tech, a TXV was an option that wasn't specified by the guy that sized the system.
Unfortunately, the nameplate didn't have any piston info on it. The installers did leave a piston chart along with other documentation at installation, so it was a quick lookup to find the piston spec based on the model number. According to the new tech, a TXV was an option that wasn't specified by the guy that sized the system.
gagecalman
Well-known member
We'll be waiting for a follow up post to see how it does now overnight.
BurtEggley
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- Joined
- Oct 8, 2024
- Messages
- 906
let us know how it goes.
OP
TheOtherGoose
Well-known member
The system worked really well when the system was tested overnight. The tech suggested turning the system down to 70 (pretty low for us) and he promised to follow up with a phone call just to check. The system was able to drop the temp pretty quickly without any humidity issues. A really pleasant surprise was that the slight drone we had been hearing lately disappeared.
Ever the professional, the technician called bright and early this morning to follow up. I'll probably get struck by lighting soon, because the bill showed up today and was far less than I expected.
Although it's taken four years, this latest experience has really been a pleasure. Thanks again for all your helpful replies.
Ever the professional, the technician called bright and early this morning to follow up. I'll probably get struck by lighting soon, because the bill showed up today and was far less than I expected.
Although it's taken four years, this latest experience has really been a pleasure. Thanks again for all your helpful replies.