Condensation

[doedaze]

Can someone explain to me why my refrigerant lines condense with ice? I strongly suspect that refrigerant levels are low. Home is 1.5 yr old and there was a crown molding nail penetration leak, identified and repaired (whata sheet rock mess) and for this long it has done well. Now that unit blows cool but not cold air. Air filters are ok, change time 2-3 times per year.:)

[skippedover]

Icing begins in the evaporator and if the unit continues to run it migrates down the refrigerant suction line and finally to the compressor. Many people think that if they can hear the units running and keep the thermostat turned way down low, eventually they'll get some cooling. Nothing could be further from the truth. Once the unit starts icing up, it's time to call in a professional. In fact, if a professional was doing an annual tune-up on the system(s) you'd probably not be having this problem in the first place and the unit would likely be operating at higher efficiency. Icing evaporator can be caused by reduced airflow, including a bad blower motor, dirty air filter, dirty squirrel cage fan, dirty/plugged evaporator coil, closed registers/diffuser, closed dampers, failed zone dampers, bad TXV, dirty/plugged/restricted filter/drier, low refrigerant charge (that means there's a leak somewhere) or even a bad compressor valve.

[doedaze]

Is the refrigerant pumped by the evaporator or by the compressor? I would guess compressor. Also, which line has a higher pressure, liquid or suction?

Also, the ductwork air flow was never "fine tuned". Sub contractor said this could be done at completion of the install.This is a geo-thermal closed loop system that is normally very efficient, but unfortunately my contractor closed his business (Ive been told for health reasons) and now he teaches at a tech school. He got most of his money, not all. What this means for me is that the Water Furnace company has a very limited warranty, and I pay thru the nose for another contractor to come and service it. :mad: The air handlers are Trane, so I hope to avoid paying travel expenses for a geo-thermal man to come from Atlanta, and get a reputable local HVAC contractor to solve my problems.

Basically some parts of zones are not receiving air flow as well as others. I see no kinks nor obstructions in the ductwork. I suspect I will need in line duct dampers/regulators at branch points, since adjusting the room ceiling dampers doesnt seem to solve the problem, agree?