Need some advise or tips... Frozen Pipes

[mge_1]

Turned on my AC about 2 weeks ago and had it on from time to time. I was doing some yard work yesterday and notices my AC condenser pipes where frozen. It's currently blowing cold air and cooling things down in the house.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a79/mge_1/Forums/frozencondenserpipes_041912-1.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a79/mge_1/Forums/frozencondenserpipes_041912-2.jpg

Checked my filter and as you can see I'm using the white ones and it looked ok to me. (Left New and Right Filter the one I took out).

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a79/mge_1/Forums/hvacfilter_041912-1.jpg

I read on a few posts from other sites and heard from a co-worker to change the filter to the green ones which allows more airflow. I bought some at Walmart today and will try it out.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a79/mge_1/Forums/hvacfilter_042012-1.jpg

Any other suggestions? Maybe low on freon charge (R22)??? Any info would be much appreciated. Thanks.

[DLZ Dan]

When was the last time someone cleaned your inside coil? Have you had someone come and charge this unit lately? Plenty of causes.

[mge_1]

I have never had it checked. It's been 5 years since we bought the house. I have PSEG WorryFree will they be able to do the checks? If not I'll just call someone local. Thanks.

The house is 14 years old.

[Gib's Son]

Most likely it has a leak and is low on refrigerant. You need a tech.

[mge_1]

Ok thanks!

[DLZ Dan]

I have never had it checked. It's been 5 years since we bought the house. I have PSEG WorryFree will they be able to do the checks? If not I'll just call someone local. Thanks.

The house is 14 years old.

It's been my experience with PSE&G is that it's hit or miss. Ive worked/trained with some PSE&G guys and you got some bright lights and some really dim bulbs. Where in NJ are you?

There is a contractor locator on this site to help you find someone.

[mge_1]

Burlington, NJ. Great I'll check it out. Thanks.

[DLZ Dan]

Im in Middlesex Cty on the border of Union Cty...a bit far for a service call. If you cant find someone, let me know.

[mge_1]

Im in Middlesex Cty on the border of Union Cty...a bit far for a service call. If you cant find someone, let me know.

I'm sure someone will be in the area. But I appreciate the offer. I'll try these green filters and go from there.

Thank you.

[mge_1]

It's been my experience with PSE&G is that it's hit or miss. Ive worked/trained with some PSE&G guys and you got some bright lights and some really dim bulbs. Where in NJ are you?

There is a contractor locator on this site to help you find someone.

Quick question. If it's low on freon, will PSEG recharge? What exactly is covered under the Central AC WorryFree plan or I'm just wasting money.

I'm hearing alot of horrow stories about it.

Any info would be good. Thanks.

[cuchulain]

i hate those green and the blue filters. put it this way if you can see through it dirt can get through. Next stop is the cooling coil.

[DLZ Dan]

Quick question. If it's low on freon, will PSEG recharge? What exactly is covered under the Central AC WorryFree plan or I'm just wasting money.

I'm hearing alot of horrow stories about it.

Any info would be good. Thanks.

You have to look at the paperwork in that worryfree program . I'm not sure if they will recharge or not. I would specifically have them check the evaporator coil, but here's the thing, if thats the issue, they may say it was from lack of maintenance and try to charge you. If it was undercharged, it wouldnt freeze. Sounds like you got a low load situation there.

[mge_1]

I'll call a local tech this week to check it out. Thanks.

[mge_1]

I got home this afternoon and it was 72 in the house. Installed new green filter. Set temp down to 70 and it took about 10-15 minutes or so for the entire house to cool down to 70. Which is pretty normal I think. As soon as the AC turned off from reaching it's temp, I went outside and I see a little bit of freezing up. I guess it's not the filter after all.

Time to call a local tech in the area to try and pinpoint the problem before it gets too hot outside.

Last question. Can I still use the AC from time to time to cool the house down atleast in the 70 degree range? Or am I doing more damage if the it's over/under charged and the pipes freezing up??? Should I get some pipe insulation from Home depot? Will that help?

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a79/mge_1/Forums/accondenserpipe_042012-1.jpg

[mge_1]

You have to look at the paperwork in that worryfree program . I'm not sure if they will recharge or not. I would specifically have them check the evaporator coil, but here's the thing, if thats the issue, they may say it was from lack of maintenance and try to charge you. If it was undercharged, it wouldnt freeze. Sounds like you got a low load situation there.

So if its over charged, it will freeze? Sorry newbie here lol.

[DLZ Dan]

Yessir.
It will also freeze if the return temperature is too cold. Air conditioning is not meant to turn your house into a meat locker contrary to what some people (including my wife) think.

Try setting it to 72 and see if it cools and freezes the pipe. Make sure the house is nice and warm. If it still freezes during normal pulldown, there is another problem, dirty coil, overcharge, etc.

[mge_1]

Yessir.
It will also freeze if the return temperature is too cold. Air conditioning is not meant to turn your house into a meat locker contrary to what some people (including my wife) think.

Try setting it to 72 and see if it cools and freezes the pipe. Make sure the house is nice and warm. If it still freezes during normal pulldown, there is another problem, dirty coil, overcharge, etc.

Too funny about the wife comment as I can relate lol... Weather says it might be around 80 degrees tomorrow for the high. I'll see what happens. Thanks.

[mge_1]

Yessir.
It will also freeze if the return temperature is too cold. Air conditioning is not meant to turn your house into a meat locker contrary to what some people (including my wife) think.

Try setting it to 72 and see if it cools and freezes the pipe. Make sure the house is nice and warm. If it still freezes during normal pulldown, there is another problem, dirty coil, overcharge, etc.

Had it on 72 degrees all day today and it seems to be running fine. I didn't see it freeze at all.

Now the wife couldn't take it anymore and turned it down to 71 lol.

I will still call a local tech this week to check freon charge. Thanks again for all the tips.

[DLZ Dan]

More so have them make sure your inside coil is clear. If it isnt, the guy will see the suction pressure low and charge it. Boom! overcharge.

If you have a thermometer, put it on your return grill and see what the temperature of your return air is. If it gets too cold, guaranteed it will freeze it up.

[DLZ Dan]

So what ended up happening?