2 ton compressor, 3 ton air handler - is that the problem?

[nyoung]

I recently had a new air handler installed, it's a 3 ton Goodman (model AWUF360516BA), with a 2-ton compressor from 2006 (an Allegiance model 2A7A3024A). Two inspectors said the compressor is in good shape, but the air handler was original from 1993 and was apparently not working. The replaced was a 2.5 ton unit.

Here's the issue: the setup won't cool the condo more than a few degrees below ambient temperature (it's a 1,100 sq ft unit). Air coming out of the vents is cool, but not cold.

The installer told me it wasn't cooling because the ceiling in the air conditioner closet is open to the ceiling above part of the unit (there is a 1 ft "false ceiling" above about 400 hundred square feet of the unit, where ductwork and wiring runs. The condo has a single air return that is a large vent entering at the base of this closet.

So I rigged up an airtight solution in the A/C closet using ceiling tile, so the only place air can come in is through the return. But the issue is exactly as bad as it was before. This huge waste of time has me frustrated.

Will a 2 ton compressor ever work on a 3 ton handler? Does it sound like a freon problem? Even though the air blowing out of the vents isn't very cold... could it be a return problem?

Any thoughts would be much appreciated!

[beenthere]

A 2 ton condenser on a 3 ton air handler should be able to cool ok. Could be not charged right. Find out what metering device your system uses. Works a bit better if its a TXV, then if its a piston.

[wahoo]

Agree with benthere, you probably don't have the proper freon metering device in place (or the wrong size one). My guess is that the larger device was left in place inside the new air handler (should have been matched to condenser size).:.02: