Hvac--questions to help resolve problems

[hvac877]

I have been in the HVAC trade since 1967. Experience in Commercial Heat, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration. Had my own business from 1999 to 2013.

I have written in to the POA and spoke with several homeowners and helped with their HVAC problems.

If anyone has any questions or problems about their HVAC systems let me know and I will try to get you the correct information.

I live in the Villages and quite familiar with the HVAC equipment and systems.

[mrfixit]

.
Welcome to Talk of The Villages hvac877.

Hope you enjoying the Villages Lifestyle as much as we do.

Thank You for your neighborly gesture to offer advice on
HVAC issues.

You are a perfect fit for "'Florida's Friendliest Hometown.

[golf2140]

Welcome to TV and thank you for the offer.

[lopheim]

Original HVAC installed in 2002. Yearly maintenance service indicated low coolant. Told it will take 4-5 lbs at $70/lb and could leak out very quickly, as there is high probability of a leak somewhere. We keep air around 78-79 degrees in house and unit seems to be cooling okay (maybe running a bit longer). Should we invest in new unit or wait until this one fails and then purchase?

[CFrance]

I have a question too. Is there anything one can install on these brand-new all electric HVAC systems that will cut down on dust in the house? Other than a thick filter. We had electronic air cleaners on our gas furnaces up north.

[tommy steam]

Original HVAC installed in 2002. Yearly maintenance service indicated low coolant. Told it will take 4-5 lbs at $70/lb and could leak out very quickly, as there is high probability of a leak somewhere. We keep air around 78-79 degrees in house and unit seems to be cooling okay (maybe running a bit longer). Should we invest in new unit or wait until this one fails and then purchase?

Did the tec who quoted you the price take a leak detector and check you system out? They do have electronic tools to find leaks.

[Papa Cuma]

Original HVAC installed in 2002. Yearly maintenance service indicated low coolant. Told it will take 4-5 lbs at $70/lb and could leak out very quickly, as there is high probability of a leak somewhere. We keep air around 78-79 degrees in house and unit seems to be cooling okay (maybe running a bit longer). Should we invest in new unit or wait until this one fails and then purchase?


Unless your unit was undercharged from it's initial installation you do in fact have a leak. There are several methods that can be used to find the leak. Any good tech can visually spot a leak ( oil trail ) if the leak is substantial. Another would be electronic detection, would take no more than an hour ( assuming the leak source is not under your slab ) Cost of this service including recovery and recharge of the unit would be minimal compared to installing new equipment. But of course everything I mentioned hinges on the quality and proficiency of the technician.
I am a professional HVAC tech with no dog in this fight.

[leftyf]

The outside unit to my AC is inside a corner of my birdcage. As an experiment, I stretched a piece of awning about 4 ft above the unit to shade the unit. I bought 2 cheap thermometers and placed one on the center motor section of the AC and the other about 4 ft away in the direct sun. The temperature difference was about 20 degrees, being cooler over the AC unit. My question to you would be, does this make my AC run more efficiently? I am thinking of having a permanent aluminum awning installed over the AC and would appreciate your input before I spend the money.

[Papa Cuma]

Yours is an interesting question but the execution of the experiment I'm afraid is flawed. The 20 degree difference in temperature you measured was the result of radiation plus ambient temperature. To make the experiment valid you would need to place the thermometer approximately 3" from the condenser coil half way up with the outside fan running with the condenser shielded from the solar source. Compare that result with the condenser unshielded but the thermometer shielded from the solar source. This will give you an accurate temperature differential.
That being said, there is an efficiency increase with cooler air passing through the condenser coil and it can be measured by placing an amprobe (current sensing device) across the run terminal wire of the compressor. A decrease in ambient temperature will cause a decrease in the amperage draw of the compressor thereby increasing its measurable efficiency ( assuming all other factors remain equal) I hope this gives you some more food for thought.
Of course you will need to factor in your expenditure compared with the cost saving which can only be measured with knowing the decrease in power usage times the run hours of the compressor times the cost per watt.

[leftyf]

Thanks Papa, but you just went waaaay over my head.

[CFrance]

I'm wondering what happened to the OP, hvac877. He offered to answer questions, but he hasn't been back on to answer any.:shrug:

[Papa Cuma]

Thanks Papa, but you just went waaaay over my head.


In short, save your money. No discernible difference in cost saving. [emoji2]