Blower Test?

[rawheels]

I had a problem with my heat pump a year or two ago, and had someone come out and recharge the system with R-22 with some dye to see any future leaks. This winter I noticed that my bills were pretty high and the second stage was coming on pretty frequently despite the fact that it has been a very mild winter in Indiana. I thought that maybe the R-22 had leaked out again, so I had someone come out to look at it. They said that it was working fine, and there were no leaks. They said that the Heat Pump might just be getting old (13-14 yrs).

Yesterday was sitting below a register when the fan was on and didn't feel anything. Had to get about a foot away from the register before I felt the warm air. So, I am wondering if the fan is working correctly (I do hear it running in the air handler). The registers are on the ceiling (slab foundation) and since heat rises I don't expect it to blow all the way to the floor, but I was wondering if there was any way for me (home owner) to check to see if it is blowing sufficently so I don't have to waste the HVAC guys time to come out again.

[t527ed]

clean filter??

[rawheels]

I thought that too originally. I replaced it after I noticed the high bills and before the Tech came out. He mentioned at that time that it looked clean and while he was checking for leaks he wiped down the coil inside the air handler.

The unit is a Bryant and therefore has a weird shape filter. I had a really bad experience with the local rep so I replaced the filter with a cut yourself one. But it looks like it is the same material as the original (mesh not paper). I could try taking out the filter for a few minutes to see if that helps the airflow, which it would no matter what filter you took out. I would still have the same question though; How much, and how far away, should I feel air coming out of the registers

[Krzyd]

I thought that too originally. I replaced it after I noticed the high bills and before the Tech came out. He mentioned at that time that it looked clean and while he was checking for leaks he wiped down the coil inside the air handler.

The unit is a Bryant and therefore has a weird shape filter. I had a really bad experience with the local rep so I replaced the filter with a cut yourself one. But it looks like it is the same material as the original (mesh not paper). I could try taking out the filter for a few minutes to see if that helps the airflow, which it would no matter what filter you took out. I would still have the same question though; How much, and how far away, should I feel air coming out of the registers

Impossible to answer your question without more detailed info on the size of your duct system, the boot sizes, the grill type, the static pressure the ducts were sized for, the number of supply drops, the number of returns, their sizes would be helpful, also the rated cfm of your equipment, it would also help to know what fan speed you're running. But if you feel that you aren't getting the air you used to, then perhaps you should waste some cash on a professional who can guide you.