Need home A/C advice

[RoyTheHammer]

Just bought my first home and the previous owner replaced the a/c unit in 2015. Few weeks in and I noticed the past couple days the a/c runs pretty much all day yet never cools to the temperature on the thermostat. Even at night when the temperature outside is lower than what I have it set to inside. Any ideas on what the issue might be? Thanks in advance.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

If the owner had recently upgraded the house size or you have it can factor into the equation.

That is what happened out our home.

We added on to our house. Basically added two small rooms that were actually just additions to the two existing rooms that doubled the size and we added a little extra room else where to even out the back of the house.

After that when it would get really hot in the summer our AC could not keep up and was running full time until eventually one of the wires would burn out that connected to the outside unit. This happened a couple of times and the AC guy told us that if it happened one more time that we would have to replace the unit as he was cutting the bad places out of the existing wire so he could hook up a good part back to the outside unit.

He said that the old unit was good for the old house and square footage of the old house but after we added what amounted to about 1/4 to 1/3 more room...the ac just could not handle it and was not rated for that.

So we waited until that burnt out one last time and finally had to break down and get a bigger unit that would handle the new square footage and then some.

Have had no trouble since that time.

The other thing is maybe the previous owner got a new unit and thought he was getting a too good to be true price on it and later realized the price was so good because it was too small of a unit to be rated for the size of your home.

Ask a professional to come and look at your AC and ask them if you need a bigger unit for your home. I would suggest you ask someone you trust to check this for you so they just don't tell you you need a new one in order for them to get you to buy a new unit from them.

 

[RoyTheHammer]

Thanks BP.

It seems like the unit had been working fine previously and there have been no changes in the sq footage of the place. No additions or anything since he replaced the unit. I'll probably find an HVAC pro to come look at it shortly, but I appreciate the info.

 

[CashMan]

Just bought my first home and the previous owner replaced the a/c unit in 2015. Few weeks in and I noticed the past couple days the a/c runs pretty much all day yet never cools to the temperature on the thermostat. Even at night when the temperature outside is lower than what I have it set to inside. Any ideas on what the issue might be? Thanks in advance.

Did you do a home inspection?

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

It could be it just needs freon.

Could be some of the ducts need worked on.

 

[65fastback2plus2]

Take temperature readings at your return vent (where the filter is) and at an output vent. You should have 15-20* differential.

Most of the times this happens it means it is low on freon because it sprung a leak somewhere. However, most newer units, if installed correctly, shut off if it gets low because that can damage the compressor, but thats not always the case (many arent installed properly).

I would have a HVAC technician come out and check the freon level. In the meantime, you really should try to not run the system to avoid expensive damage.

 

[diefree666]

Sounds like low on Freon. BUT that should not happen with a unit that new. So you almost certainly have a leak.

 

[65fastback2plus2]

Sounds like low on Freon. BUT that should not happen with a unit that new. So you almost certainly have a leak.

Not completely. It can be something as simple as the outside fan burned up.

If thats the case, rig it till you can get it fixed.

 

[big dog cowboy]

It's low on freon. Call a A/C company to come out and service it. They will clean it up and make sure it works properly including adding the freon. I had to do the same thing about a month ago after experiencing the exact same issue you described.

 

[CF74]

Freon low or the fan outside might be clogged with leaves around it, or it stopped working...

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

It's low on freon. Call a A/C company to come out and service it. They will clean it up and make sure it works properly including adding the freon. I had to do the same thing about a month ago after experiencing the exact same issue you described.

I think you were heating the inside too much with your natural gas and your AC could not overtake it.

 

[MyBad]

You must of had inspections? Look at your report, see how it was inspected and if any issues were found.. A home warranty usually is part of the deal, if so, call them, and you'll get it fixed, for a very low cost.

 

[Reality]

I am sure other people addressed this, but just in case ..

The main things that it could be ..

• Make sure your indoor filters (there may be more than one) have been replaced recently. Some houses have more dust, dirt, sand, etc. than others and require more frequent filter replacements. Houses like that tend to have a harder problem with the more expensive higher density filters so you may have to use mid or lower quality filters. As the filters filter particles, the outside unit has to work harder to pull air in through the filter.
• Your outside unit could low on freon, but that would mean there is a leak somewhere which needs to be located and sealed.
• Your outside unit may need cleaning. If there are trees, bushes, etc. nearby, you should clean it at least once per year.
• There is a blown fuse or burned/disconnected wire in the outside unit.
• Your air compressor is bad or going bad.
• Your evaporator is bad or going bad.
• The outside unit is not powerful enough to cool the square footage of your house. It may work fine until the temperature reaches a certain level.
• The outside unit can freeze (freeze as in ice) up if it runs too long without a break, but this would typically be a symptom of one of the above issues rather than the primary cause of the problem.

Do not assume just because the guy had the air conditioner replaced in 2015 that he replaced it with a new unit. I have dealt with air conditioner repair services that have stocks of used air conditioner units from other client's of theirs who upgraded to more powerful units. They will then offer them to people who need air conditioner replacements at much lower costs which is mostly pure profit for them since they usually do not pay for those units when their other clients upgraded. Given that you just bought the house, it is possible that the previous owner chose to replace the unit with a used unit in order to save money since he was planning to sell the house.

Most outside air conditioner units have a 5 or 10 year manufacturer warranty. An air conditioner repair service can look up the serial numbers and tell you when the unit was manufactured and whether or not it is still under manufacturer warranty. If it is under warranty, you should only have to cover the labor costs usually.

Regardless of what it is, an air conditioner repair service should be able to identify the problem rather easily so I would call them before assuming anything.

 

[big dog cowboy]

I think you were heating the inside too much with your natural gas and your AC could not overtake it.

LOL! I wish. That would have been cheaper. We went 3 days over 106 in a row and my A/C ran non-stop. It got to 88 in the house before I could get it fixed. Mrs. BDC was very unhappy. We almost went to a hotel.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Have it serviced and change / wash all the filters.

It's not a bad idea to have it serviced every year in the early spring. (or even winter, but damn sure don't want until summer or late spring to do it)

Also, if your windows face the sun. Your draps can play a part in helping to keep your house cooler. Definitely keep them closed when the sun shines directly on them. If you only have blinds, get curtains! They block the sun better.

 

[Denim Chicken]

Also, how hot is it outside and what is your thermostat set to?

I know when it's in the 90's here with humidity mine struggles to past 75.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

If the owner had recently upgraded the house size or you have it can factor into the equation.

That is what happened out our home.

We added on to our house. Basically added two small rooms that were actually just additions to the two existing rooms that doubled the size and we added a little extra room else where to even out the back of the house.

After that when it would get really hot in the summer our AC could not keep up and was running full time until eventually one of the wires would burn out that connected to the outside unit. This happened a couple of times and the AC guy told us that if it happened one more time that we would have to replace the unit as he was cutting the bad places out of the existing wire so he could hook up a good part back to the outside unit.

He said that the old unit was good for the old house and square footage of the old house but after we added what amounted to about 1/4 to 1/3 more room...the ac just could not handle it and was not rated for that.

So we waited until that burnt out one last time and finally had to break down and get a bigger unit that would handle the new square footage and then some.

Have had no trouble since that time.

The other thing is maybe the previous owner got a new unit and thought he was getting a too good to be true price on it and later realized the price was so good because it was too small of a unit to be rated for the size of your home.

Ask a professional to come and look at your AC and ask them if you need a bigger unit for your home. I would suggest you ask someone you trust to check this for you so they just don't tell you you need a new one in order for them to get you to buy a new unit from them.

Same thing can actually happen if the unit is too big. Bottom line, you gotta make sure that you get the right fit.

 

[Trouty]

Damn, this board knows about everything

 

[Ranching]

Put out the fireplace!

 

[haleyrules]

Just bought my first home and the previous owner replaced the a/c unit in 2015. Few weeks in and I noticed the past couple days the a/c runs pretty much all day yet never cools to the temperature on the thermostat. Even at night when the temperature outside is lower than what I have it set to inside. Any ideas on what the issue might be? Thanks in advance.

The A/C is fine. You must replace the house.