Replyu got a prob get a pro. sounds like freon has left your system. find the leak or replace. Todays freon isnt cheap
Regular Guest
Hi,
Hoping someone can give me an idea if this is due to lackluster insulation or if something may be wrong with AC.
The AC system is an American Standard 3-ton 14-seer (i think 80or85btu two stage furnace). The AC was turned on at at 6 or 6:30am and set to 68F so that it would run continuously and it did but at 1PM it was 78F inside and 80F outside. The best i've seen in the difference between outside/inside is about 4 Degrees, although when its on the humidity does seem to go down considerably compared to outside (50% humidity outside).
Yesterday, turned on AC at 5:30AM, at 2:20PM outside was 84F and inside was 80F. I then turned OFF the ACandFan and at 5:30pm it was 90F inside and 88F outside (no ac). I turned on AC at 5:30pm and at 6:30pm it was 87F inside and 86F outside.
So my question is can something be wrong with the AC if after running from about 6AM continuously it was only TWO degrees cooler in the house than outside by 1PM? OR can this all be blamed on not so great insulation in my attic? (I do plan to improve the insulation, thicker layer etc... in the attic and add a gable-Fan for the attic...)
any info appreciated, thanks
dan
Regular Guest
u got a prob get a pro. sounds like freon has left your system. find the leak or replace. Todays freon isnt cheap
Professional Member
insulation does play a role in it. I would have a tech out their asap. Sounds like it could possibly be low on charge, but again you need to have a tech look at it.
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Professional Member
It's broke.
Professional Member*
We'd really need more information... of primary benefit would be the temperature in the morning each day BEFORE you turned on the AC. Your statement "The AC was turned on at at 6 or 6:30am and set to 68F so that it would run continuously and it did but at 1PM it was 78F inside and 80F outside." doesn't help if we don't know what the indoor temperature was in the morning when it was turned on. If the indoor temp was 80F when it was turned on (meaning the temp only dropped 2 degrees) that indicates a problem with the unit... but if the indoor temp was say 90F (meaning the temp had dropped 12 degrees) in the morning then perhaps you shouldn't turn the AC off at night but instead should just set the temperature back.
Also, I assume from your statements the AC is located in the attic... this is not unusual but if the attic is poorly ventilated it can increase the load on the unit and therefore decrease its cooling ability. What is the temperature in the attic during mid-day? What is the temperature outside at the same time?
Regular Guest
wow, that was quick, thanks for the prompt replies. I'm glad the consensus is that I should be able to expect better performance! (forgot to mention previously house is about 1250 sqft. )
Now if something is wrong with it, and I'll definitely be getting a pro to work on it, can you tell me approximately what kind of temperature difference I can expect? and how much could it potentially improve if I add 1600cfm gable fan (14 or 15 inch) and more insulation to the attic? (ie want to see if worth the money/effort for extra insulation...but i guess should save money by it needing to run less to achieve same temp...right now i've been running it practically continuously so for now I think i'm just going to use the FAN only until i have a PRO look at it....don't want to waste extra energy for nothing....)
dan
Regular Guest
3 ton and 1250 square feet.
Where is this house located?
Regular Guest
Hi,
Sorry I didn't clarify, no it is not an ATTIC unit, it's in a closet etc, the refrigerant line travels through the attic and down the side of the house outside...the air force coming out is decent, when I have the AC on it seems to get a little stronger than when I just have FAN on (perhaps that's why it feels a little cooler...)
I know it was 70F or maybe even 68F OUTSIDE early in the morning at 6am or 6:30am and in the house I know it was NOT more than 70F, it may have been 69F can't recall exactly....it climbed steadily both outside and inside, it was 75F for quite a while, then at 1pm it was 78F inside and 80F outside.
Sorry but I don't have any attic temperatures...
Originally Posted by platchford
Professional Member *
Not normal. Either low on freon or see if your attic is nice and cool. Either way you need professional help.
Regular Guest
Its in California, OC-LA area, 2miles or so from the beach
Professional Member
as said before
Its broke dude.
Get it serviced.
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Professional Member*
Don't worry about the attic temperatures if the unit itself is not located there... the location was a misunderstanding. On the topic of whats wrong... you need to have a tech come out and take a look. It could be one of many things and depending on what it is it could be an easy fix or not.
Professional Member
Place or hang a thermometer at the return grill for a few minutes while the unit is running...and note the temperature. Then place it on a supply register for a few minutes and note the temperature. Ideally the supply should be at least 12 to 15 degrees cooler, while some higher efficiency units will easily achieve 20 degrees. Start there
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