Need some AC help ASAP!

[jeepjunky]

Noticed that the house is HOT. checked the AC unit outside...its running. I checked the filter...it was dirty, so I changed it. I checkd the fan, its running BUT there is nothing comming out the vents. There is a little Ice on one of the lines above the fan in the vent trunk. So I turned the heater up to about 90, it turned on, but the trunk isnt heating up very fast. Is it possible where I say the ice on the line is the exhanger in the trunk unit and it iced over? Im hoping that by running the heat it will thaw it and allow air to blow through.
Is there something else I need to look at?
Thanks

 

[acmikee]

is this a heat pump or gas/elect

coil is probably iced up turn off the ac you can leave the fan on. make sure all of the ice is off the coil befor you turn the ac back on. remove the filter and you can probably see the coil.
when you turn the unit back on check your supply and return temps. should be 18-20 deg split.

 

[jeepjunky]

ran the furnas for about 10 min and noticed the ductwork above the fan started to warm up. I checked the drain and it wasnt plugged. after about 15min with the furnas on I noticed I was getting air flow from the vents through out the house. most of the ducking above the fan was now warm to hot except for a corner near the lines that was still cool. I shut everything down and took the dogs for a short walk. Turned the fan on when I got back and I now have normal airflow through my vents. Im gonna leave the fan running for about 20 mor min then turn the AC back on.
Thanks

 

[JakeKohl]

Chances are that your system is low on refrigerant causing the operating temps in the evaporator to run low. This causes the normal condensate to freeze, creating an ice block, which reduces air flow, and leads to more lower temps and more freezing.

It's ~possible~ that the dirty air filter was restricting enough air flow that the evaporator temperature got low enough to cause freezing...so try it again with the thawed indoor unit and a new air filter. If it freezes again, you need to get the unit recharged / leak tested.

 

[jeepjunky]

Thanks, I ran the fan for the rest of the night, and turned the AC on this AM I will keep an eye on it.

 

[pop pop]

Remember, if it is low refrigerant, just adding some will not repair the problem!

 

[JakeKohl]

Remember, if it is low refrigerant, just adding some will not repair the problem!

But finding someone that will take the next step is sometimes difficult!

 

[Full Throttle]

But finding someone that will take the next step is sometimes difficult!

this ^^^^^

When I ran residential service, due to the fact it's hot and I am busy as hell. I would sell the homeowner a service/maint contract. Check his system out make sure it will get him throught the rest of summer and I'll see you in the fall. At this point in time I have the patience to find his leak, he gets a service contract for about the price of a service call and I gave 10% discount to contract customers. My bus. was a 1 man show at 1 time I had 500 contracts, I still have 100 I keep around.

just something to think about if you need pro service.

7 times outa 10 frozen coil is dirty filter, coil and or blower wheel as well. Many times a tech in a hurry will gas and go overcharging a system which fixes the freeze up, but kills the compressor

 

[pipsters]

this ^^^^^

When I ran residential service, due to the fact it's hot and I am busy as hell. I would sell the homeowner a service/maint contract. Check his system out make sure it will get him throught the rest of summer and I'll see you in the fall. At this point in time I have the patience to find his leak, he gets a service contract for about the price of a service call and I gave 10% discount to contract customers. My bus. was a 1 man show at 1 time I had 500 contracts, I still have 100 I keep around.

just something to think about if you need pro service.

7 times outa 10 frozen coil is dirty filter, coil and or blower wheel as well. Many times a tech in a hurry will gas and go overcharging a system which fixes the freeze up, but kills the compressor

500 contracts? How many did you see to a day?

I've been eying an HVAC switch and was thinking along the same lines to have a steady income. The problem I had was if you do a mx agreement that normally covers 2 calls. Plus you are doing them in the fall and spring right? So 500 contracts = 1000 visits to your customers, spring and fall what maybe 5 months or 150 days? That's over 6 per day...is that even possible?

 

[Full Throttle]

500 contracts? How many did you see to a day?

I've been eying an HVAC switch and was thinking along the same lines to have a steady income. The problem I had was if you do a mx agreement that normally covers 2 calls. Plus you are doing them in the fall and spring right? So 500 contracts = 1000 visits to your customers, spring and fall what maybe 5 months or 150 days? That's over 6 per day...is that even possible?

No, I did not limit it to just spring and fall per se. It was year round, never sold a pre cooling or pre heating season inspection, they were just 2x a year inspection's and cleanings. Most of what I have has 2-4 systems in a house, and they are all resort/ rental homes. I shoulda said I had 500 systems under contract. Yeah, I can check 4-8 systems a day not a problem with no OT. Most of the houses are less than a block away, next door even.

I got tired of my phone ringing and being at a real estate companies beckon call during the season 24/7 to cater to renter's. So I went into Industrial HVAC, I will never go back.

 

[slip knot]

But finding someone that will take the next step is sometimes difficult!

This is where having a good working relationship with your trades comes in. As stated above, find one that does the mainenance contract and have them come pull the maint regularly. pay them a fair rate for this. Don't expect someone to come running just because your hot ,then try to chisel them on the price.

My AC guy, plumber and electrician are all self employeed and work for the people who pay them and respect them. I cant tell you how many times they've been on my sites and get a call from some one and they either wont answer it IE: a dead beat client or answer it and tell them they are on the list. then go back to work on my stuff. This is one area where you can actually get more than you pay for.