Throw in the towel

[kkmcewen]

When you have reached the limit of your unit because of extreme heat, should you just throw in tht towel and turn the thermostat up. My unit will hold 77 until about 3:30. Then it will go to 79 and stay there until about 8:30. We have extreme heat at the moment, around 111 today. Im well over my design temp. My system is running all day long now and wonder if that is bad for it? I thought it might just be better now to set it at 80 and wait for this extrem temp to move on. Every one in my area is posting that there system will not keep up.....so I assume it just because we are so much over our normal highs. I have a 4 ton 16 seer Carrier Infinity heat pump.

[jrpsimivalley]

ouch go out once an hour and hose down the outdoor coils(while system is off) see if it helps. whats your insulation like, attic exhaust fan?

[2old2rock]

It does not hurt the unit to run continuously, as long as it is clean, and charged properly.
Pick 1 temp and stick with it.
And don't waste your time hosing off the condenser once an hour.

[motoguy128]

Sounds about normal. You're probably almost 10F above you design temperature. Nothign wrogn with it running 24/7.

Personally, I'd probably raise it to about 80F but set the humidty ot 45F and let it cycle based on humidity levels...whcih will dictate yoru comfort as much as temperature.

Otherwise, turn on the ceiling fans, close all of the blinds and wait it out. Be happy that you have a good effecient AC system.


My rough calculations... if your unit is running 24 hours a day, that 16 SEER 4 ton unit is probably at those temps running at about a 3.2 COP.... so at $0.12/kwhr, it will cost $8/day to run.... if I have my conversions correct.

Actually, when it's this hot, keeping the setpoint under 78F and you'll run the risk of getting condensation inside your walls.

[AC Bad Dog]

" Every one in my area is posting that there system will not keep up.....so I assume it just because we are so much over our normal highs. I have a 4 ton 16 seer Carrier Infinity heat pump.[/QUOTE]"

Hey, My Sympathies,
I hope this helps.

Temps are high,
Customers are bitcin,
And Manual J, has gone Missin..

Trying to keep cool by stripping down to your speedo's,
Now that the outside temp is over 1 plus 2 zeros,
How come we can't find all our load calc Heros?

The "Cover Your Ass" guys are looking pretty smart,
Sizing your system is less science, and more of an ART,
And throwing out your laptop is a good place to start.
(or; get Tedkidd to make your house so tight, you come back in two weeks and still smell your Fart)

Most of your customers who are truly in need,
Will be happy as clams with a brand new Two Speed,
And then. No mater what happens, they have the capacity they need.

Sell them two air conditioners at the same time,
And they will be comfortable all of the time.
Save them your load calc dog and pony show, and save yourself some time.
Just look em in the eye and read them this rhyme.

AC BAD DOG

[jimj]

ROFLMAO

[Southern Mech]

I'm not in hiding I'd rather have designed a system that looses ground over design temp then be in court for mold remediation

[ACFIXR]

When you have reached the limit of your unit because of extreme heat, should you just throw in tht towel and turn the thermostat up. My unit will hold 77 until about 3:30. Then it will go to 79 and stay there until about 8:30. We have extreme heat at the moment, around 111 today. Im well over my design temp. My system is running all day long now and wonder if that is bad for it? I thought it might just be better now to set it at 80 and wait for this extrem temp to move on. Every one in my area is posting that there system will not keep up.....so I assume it just because we are so much over our normal highs. I have a 4 ton 16 seer Carrier Infinity heat pump.

Now is a good time to take a hard look at your home and how it is absorbing heat.
Are your windows shaded or is the afternoon sun blazing thru them?
Are there dark shingles on your roof?
Is your ductwork under insulated and in a hot attic?
Having a few of these items adjusted can put you back into the "comfort zone"
A Man J load calculation will tell you where your heat is coming from.

[Joe Harper]

If you think your house is too hot, go sit on your roof for an hour and then go back inside.

[freonr22]

Put a sprinkler on your roof

[kkmcewen]

Now is a good time to take a hard look at your home and how it is absorbing heat.
Are your windows shaded or is the afternoon sun blazing thru them?
Are there dark shingles on your roof?
Is your ductwork under insulated and in a hot attic?
Having a few of these items adjusted can put you back into the "comfort zone"
A Man J load calculation will tell you where your heat is coming from.

No shade on windows. The windows that face west do have solar shades. Roof does have dark gray shingles. Duct work is in attic.

[beenthere]

Your area is running 8 to 11 degrees above normal highs. So it will lose ground. just leave it set where you normally keep it. Won't hurt it to run 24/7.

[ACFIXR]

No shade on windows. The windows that face west do have solar shades. Roof does have dark gray shingles. Duct work is in attic.

This is where your comfort is "wicking" away to during the extreme highs.