Cold weather kit on A/C ?

[jsfox]

Since we occasionally need to run our A/C when the outdoor temps are in the 40's it was recommended that we install a 'cold weather kit'. Sales guy didn't have a clue what exactly it was though. Can anyone tell me what it is? It will likely be going on a Lennox XC16.

Thanks,

[gevans]

I think you are looking for an economizer. This is an air damper that reads outdoor temperature. If your thermostat is calling for a/c, and the indoor temperature is higher than the outdoor temperature, the damper opens and you get outside air instead of refrigerated air.
Or possibly he means you need a crankcase heater on your a/c unit, so you won't damage the compressor slugging it with liquid refrigerant in cold weather?

[air2spare]

normally residential units dont run when its 40 degrees outside unless its a heatpump, otherwise you do need an outdoor fan cycling switch installed along with a crankcase heater for the compressor....heatpump should be factory setup already

[finest]

Most likely means some type of head pressure control along with a crankase heater, if its a rtu than a economizer setup should suffice.

[BaldLoonie]

Do ONLY what Lennox recommends! With R410a and 2 stage cooling, don't slap a simple fan cycle kit on.

[t527ed]

lennox lists a low ambient control and a low ambient compressor cut out as optional accessories for that model unit.

[Gunnery Sergeant Hartman]

Open a window...

[seatonheating]

Originally posted by t527ed
lennox lists a low ambient control and a low ambient compressor cut out as optional accessories for that model unit.

Beat me to it!!! That's what you want.

[amd]

Originally posted by BSCHVAC
Open a window...

I concur. There's almost nothing more wasteful than running residential A/C in cold weather.

[mayguy]

Originally posted by amd

Originally posted by BSCHVAC
Open a window...

I concur. There's almost nothing more wasteful than running residential A/C in cold weather.

I agree as well. Save on power plants, open the window if you are too hot with a house full of company, and run the fan.

[kelvin]

why do you need to run your a/c unit when it is 40 DEG F outside.

[docholiday]

Originally posted by kelvin
why do you need to run your a/c unit when it is 40 DEG F outside.

Growing lights in the basement??????

[air2spare]

Originally posted by docholiday

Originally posted by kelvin
why do you need to run your a/c unit when it is 40 DEG F outside.

Growing lights in the basement??????


is that experience talking?

[karsthuntr]

Originally posted by air2spare

Originally posted by docholiday

Originally posted by kelvin
why do you need to run your a/c unit when it is 40 DEG F outside.

Growing lights in the basement??????


is that experience talking?


Most likely LOL :D




J/K

[doc havoc]

Maybe consider an accumulator as well.

BTW, how do you grow lights?

[jsfox]

Thanks all, exactly the info I was looking for.

As to the need for A/C when it's 40 degrees outside... I think some of it is just general electronics throughout the house. I also do video production which involves a fair amount of heat build-up in my basement. Opening windows works sometimes, not others. We also have a number of dinner parties and a problem we've had here is that people near windows get extremely cold, but people in the middle of the room are still too hot. We are looking at some type of passive cooling similar to what a friend is putting in his house.

Thanks,