skip to main content
Software
Integrations
Mobile App
Expert Support
All-In-One Platform for Construction and Design
See Pricing
Schedule a Demo
Talk to Sales: (888) 316-4595
My builder uses Houzz Pro to plan the timeline and give detailed estimates and daily updates with photos of progress, and provide invoices at pre-agreed key points in the build. This made the whole experience much more efficient and stress-free.
Steve W.
Client of Cribbs Construction
Learn More
Ideas
Discussions
Houzz TV
Houzz Research
Sign In
Houzz Logo Print
Explore DiscussionsFeatured Home DiscussionsFeatured Garden Discussions
Heating & Air Conditioning
ddlaz

York AC constantly running, barely keeping the house cool

11 years ago

As with everyone else, summer is here and everyone is just switching their system to AC.

Of course, starting up AC again reminds me that my AC has been struggling to keep the temps down since I bought the house 3 years ago. I don't know the exact model right now but I know it's not a 2 stage unit.

A bit of tablesetting -

1997, 2600 sq ft home, 2 floors above ground, basement has a walkout

Minnesota

York AC and furnace (maybe original? haven't checked dates)

Enviroair(or tech?) electrostatic filter with some kind of foil sandwiched between expanded metal as a prefilter?


As stated, AC is on very often trying to cool the house down. It was 80 F the other day, I set it to 76 F and it was on most of the day.

There's a lot of advise on the net, and I've pieced together this much - measure temperature differential at return register and vent, it should be between 15 and 20.

I took a dew point meter that my technicians use at work and measured the differential. I had 55 F at the vent, and 74 F at the return register in the top floor bedroom. The 19 degree differential doesn't seem bad right?


I tried to get at the evap coil to clean it but the ductwork around the coil was all caulked, and the in/out refrigerant lines were going into the access door/panel. I unscrewed the panel and couldn't get it far enough to fully access the coil. I sprayed would I could but I couldnt get to the underside, which should be the dirtiest section.

Cleaned the outdoor unit fins of lint and fuzz also. No effect.


My research tells me that I may have a leak and am low on refrigerant but I don't have the equipment to test this. I don't want to spend 100 bucks for them to come tell me that it's low and they can't do much because it's R-22. Am I right? I read that even if they find the leak, they can't refill it.


Any thoughts? items to check?

Comments (8)

  • 11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    If you are getting 55F air when it is 80F outside, there is no reason why it should not be cooling the house properly. How is the airflow? Is your filter clean? As an experiment, remove the filter (s) and run it without the filter to see if that is your problem. You may want to get a tech there to measure the airflow. If the airflow is low, could be a clogged coil.

    Is this the first year that it is not working since you moved in, or has it always been like this?

    There is no restriction on refilling R22 systems, although at some point it may be prohibitively expensive.

  • 11 years ago

    It's always been like this, as far as I can remember. My first house with central air so I didn't have anything to compare to as far as a properly air conditioned house.

    The filter is an electrostatic one with a foil type prefilter. I cleaned the electrostatic filter fins and the prefilter. Felt like plenty of airflow as I was pulling out the prefilter while the fan was running.

    Another aspect of the house - kitchen and informal living room are connected with vaulted celing. Maybe the insulation isn't up to par? Should I look for a thermal imaging camera to borrow and look for any hot spots?

  • Related Professionals

    Ocala General Contractors · Oxford General Contractors · Bartlesville General Contractors · Keene General Contractors · Fresno General Contractors · Saint George General Contractors · Macon Home Remodeling · Alexandria Home Remodeling · Columbus Home Remodeling · Laredo Home Remodeling · Tyler Home Remodeling · Liberal Home Remodeling · Olympia Home Remodeling · Austin Bathroom Remodelers · Palm Desert Bathroom Remodelers
  • 11 years ago

    What is the size of your unit? How is the airflow at the vents? I have a three ton and you can feel the cool air coming out of vents from 10 feet away.

  • 11 years ago

    I can't recall checking on the unit size exactly, but I faintly remember looking into it and saw 2.5 ton..I'll doublecheck tonight.

    The airflow isn't great. Standing above the vent, I can feel cool air on my face, 6' up. But it's not COLD enough to give me chills or anything.

  • 11 years ago

    If you can't get the size, post the complete model number. Your insulation should in a 1997 house not be the problem as long as your heating bills have been reasonable.

  • 11 years ago

    Age and size of system?...when was it last serviced?...if it is 2 1/2 ton, I would say it is undersized for the home...ductwork leaks a possibility?...home has adequate returns?...

    IMO

  • 11 years ago

    Until I look at the tag again, I'm going to say it's the original one from 97. I've read that 2.5 was too small for the house but I also read that it's fine for 2 or 3 months of use. On the backside of the furnace, I counted 4 or 5 returns going in.

    What is the typical procedure for finding leaks? Smoke?

  • 11 years ago

    Hm maybe refill the liquid?
    Luckily I have climaconvectors from Verano and have no problems of this kind. To be honest I have no problems at all.

Related Stories
HOMES AROUND THE WORLDWorld of Design: A House That’s Barely There
By Susan Redman
A rural Australian home blurs the boundaries between indoors and outdoors, camping and permanence, privacy and transparency
Full Story
142
MONTHLY HOME CHECKLISTSSeptember Checklist for a Smooth-Running Home
By Laura Gaskill
Get ready to get cozy at home with snuggly blankets, well-stocked firewood, added insulation and more
Full Story
66
MONTHLY HOME CHECKLISTSOctober Checklist for a Smooth-Running Home
By Laura Gaskill
You're due for some winterizing, like clearing rain gutters and stowing swimsuits — but leave time for a fun project
Full Story
51
MONTHLY HOME CHECKLISTSYour March Checklist for a Smooth-Running Home
By Laura Gaskill
Prep your home for spring by shedding its winter layers and bringing in nature and fresh colors
Full Story
28
MONTHLY HOME CHECKLISTSFebruary Checklist for a Smooth-Running Home
By Laura Gaskill
Spend snowy days sprucing up, cleaning out and making your bedroom romance-ready
Full Story
39
MOST POPULARShould You Keep Your Tub?
By Jennifer Ott Design
There are reasons to have a bathtub, and plenty of reasons not to. Here’s how to decide if you should keep yours or pull the plug
Full Story
981
GREEN BUILDINGThe Big Freeze: Inventors Break New Ground to Keep Things Cool
By Olivia Strigari
Old-fashioned fridges can be energy guzzlers, but there are more eco-friendly ways of keeping food fresh, as these global innovations show
Full Story
98
WORKING WITH PROSYour Guide to a Smooth-Running Construction Project
By Incite Design
Find out how to save time, money and your sanity when building new or remodeling
Full Story
119
MONTHLY HOME CHECKLISTSNovember Checklist for a Smooth-Running Home
By Laura Gaskill
Prep for holiday entertaining and the onslaught of winter to enjoy a healthy home and a relaxed mood
Full Story
38
MODERN HOMESHouzz Tour: Creek Views Star in a Modern New York Home
By John Hill
Natural materials, all-white interiors and generous windows put the focus on forest and water in this weekend home for a family
Full Story
46
Sponsored
Custom Home Works
Average rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars10 Reviews
Franklin County's Award-Winning Design, Build and Remodeling Expert
More Discussions
Is it OK to replace ceiling air diffusers w/ new registers?
3
Duct Fan/Blower
5
Portable Air Conditioning
4
HVAC for condo unit that limits access to outside drainage
6
HVAC unit leaking
2