goddess girl
Joined: 17 Jun 2006
Posts: 29
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 Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2006 10:41 pm Post subject: Air conditioner isn't puting out cold air! |
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It's been a little warm the past few days in WI, and this is one of the first times we've used the central air this year. It works the first few times, and continues to run (the compressor runs outside). However, there is no cold air coming out, and there less air than normal coming out.
This is our system:
- Rheem-Natural Gas Forced Air
- Tempstar Central AC
HELP! We're getting HOT! |
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handnhammer
Joined: 13 May 2006
Posts: 60
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
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| Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2006 2:32 am Post subject: |
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If there is less air volume coming out of a certain vent than normal, you haven't change the postion of any dampers, and the air isn't being cooled, then the evaporator coil (A-coil) might be freezing up from lack of air flow. This lack of air flow is probably a very dirt air filter.
The A-Coil is an "A" shaped evaporator coil (looks like an "A" shaped radiator) that normally sits in the plenum above your furnace. This coil gets really cold when your central AC is running, and air from your furnace blower passes over it, cools, and gets distributed around your home through ducting. As this warm moist air passes over it water vapor condenses on the coil (like a cold glass of sweet tea on a Memphis summer day!) and normally drains out via a collecting tray and tube. This "A" coil can get really cold and if there is not sufficient airflow that condensation can freeze or frost can form directly on the coil through sublimation. This normally occurs from a clogged/dirty air filter. Once the coil freezes up, the little "radiator" fins get clogged, and the coil can't do it's job by transfering cold to your forced air!
So, with that said, check your airfilter, and replace it. If you just turned off your AC, then let it sit for a while, because that big chunk of ice that was once your A-Coil needs to thaw. If you can get to the A-Coil and see for sure that it is freezing up, this would just confirm the problem.
One other thing...some home owners think they are smart and install HEPA filters that fit in the same spot as their normal air filter. These filters are very restrictive and can cause the same symptoms, even when there brand new, and especially if your furnace blower isn't wired on high. It's a good idea to get HEPA filtered air through the whole house, but only if your forced air unit is designed for it. If not, then just use a plain old fiberglass or pleated filter.
Hope this fixes your problems! |
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