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lcbdeb · May 28, 2007, 10:17 PM

:confused: Just my luck that out AC goes out on a holiday! We live in Texas so it is normally pretty hot and humid but recently it hasn't been. To get to my problem our AC is not pushing out hardly any cold air from the vents. We live in a 2 story home with a thermastat upstairs and down. We were expecting company last night so I turned the thermastat downstairs to 74. We instead ended up going to our neighbors house and came back home and noticed that both downstairs and upstairs was not cooling properly. There is a white pipe that sticks up near the unit in the attic that is blowing out cold air more than what we are getting through our vents? I have no clue what could be the problem and any help with this would be great! I plan on calling someone but have no idea when they maybe able to come and take a look. Our house is only 5 years old and the whole unit was replaced about 3 1/2 years ago because it was not large enough for the size of the house. I have tried to turn the unit off for about an hour to see if it will help but it hasn't. If you have any questions I will try to answer but it would be great if anyone could help! Thanks!

hvacservicetech_07 · May 28, 2007, 10:46 PM

First, Have you replaced the filter? Does the airflow feel weak, or just not cool?

lcbdeb · May 29, 2007, 12:05 AM

The airflow is weak and all filters are replaced monthly.

brandy681 · May 29, 2007, 12:36 AM

It cannot be the filter because it is not blowing a lot out cool air out of ALL of the vents and that would still not make much of a difference. We replace are air filters not near as often as we should, about every 6 months but we have no problems though. I would think that it is caused by a bad thermostat.. Is it blowing out any cool air, when was the last time freon was added and how old is this unit?? I have been through about 4 thermostat's in my apartment and I have had to have froen added frequently as well all do to the fact that my apt management is cheap! It is possible that you may need a whole new unit but you need to have a honest heating and air specialist look at it for you to find a cause!

The last time our AC was not blowing out cool enough we have to have the apartment replace it with a whole new unit, they kept making up excuses saying that it was low in froen and when they would leave after fixing it the AC would never get cooler, and they kept coming saying they added more froen which was a lie. The AC eventually gave completely out and we had to hassle the apartment for a NEW unit!

We have a back up window unit AC in the apartment that we use and set up whenever our air goes out and the apartments are slow to fix it, which they usually are. This may be a good idea to get one for your home so that you never have to suffer without air. You can get a good window unit with 12,000 ibu's for about $200-300 that will cool your whole home or if you just need a small one to cool 1 LARGE room you can get one for only about $60-80 and it is better than being without air in your home until you can have someone to come and fix it!

Good Luck and let us know what the problem is!!

lcbdeb · May 29, 2007, 10:02 AM

Our unit is about 3 years old so I don't think that's the problem. We have someone coming out today so as soon as they let me know I will post what the problem is. If any body has any insight beforehand that would be great! Thanks again!

hvacservicetech_07 · May 29, 2007, 10:59 AM

Oh GEESH, here she goes again, rambling on about nothing.

lcbdeb · May 29, 2007, 01:02 PM

I'm guessing that was towards brandy681?

Anyway they just came in and fixed the problem. The damper unit was not working properly. It looks like the circuit board is bad. It was closing both of the dampers and not letting any air come in to the house. We have to wait for the a new circuit board but at least we have cool air. Still irritated that this is a fairly new AC with so many problems. We are looking at $240 to replace the part including labor. Anybody know how much this part normally cost? It shouldn't be too difficult to replace...

brandy681 · May 29, 2007, 01:16 PM

Circuit Boards seem to be costly, I am sure someone can give you a better answer but from what I have researched a circuit board can cost anywhere from $100-$250 just for the part alone and the cheapest being $100 for the part depending on brand I guess. Have you got a second opinion to make sure the first guy was being completely honest with you, I know that you are in probably in a hurry to get your ac fixed but see if you can have another peron to look at it and see how much they will charge. You shouldn't have so many problems with your ac if the first guy does the job right in the first place! Hope the info helps and keep us updated!

ballengerb1 · May 29, 2007, 02:09 PM

Deb, $240 is a pretty average price for repairing the problem you describ. You can search around and maybe save $50 buckets but you're just getting the low bidder and your current HVAC guy came out when you were in a bind. I'd go with him, he'll likely be the guy who stands behind the work/product he performs.

lcbdeb · May 29, 2007, 02:32 PM

It's a definite plus for my current HVAC for coming out the same day I called. Will more than likely have them come out to finish up the work.

Thanks everyone! I am new to this site and plan on using more often!

hvacservicetech_07 · May 29, 2007, 06:26 PM

What brand is the zone system?

lcbdeb · May 29, 2007, 07:07 PM

Well this has been an all day situation. Noticed that my AC was not turning off so they had to come back and fix it again. I was quoted $240 for parts and labor but did some calling from the manufacture and found out that the part is still under warranty. So now all I have to pay is $100 for labor. To tell you the truth I have been up there all day.. if they would let me I could put in the part myself. I was just glad I called and found out that the part was still covered. So my suggestion to everyone out there with a new home is to make sure it is still under warranty!

lcbdeb · May 29, 2007, 09:17 PM

The brand is XCI they were going to replace with a Honeywell.

hvacservicetech_07 · May 29, 2007, 09:40 PM

In my opinion, the Honeywell TZ4 is the way to go, much more reliable.

hvacservicetech_07 · May 29, 2007, 09:48 PM

Also keep in mind that zone motors go bad often, they are used all year long and open and close every time your system turns on. My company offers PM packages that cover parts and labor, you pay a lump sum once a year and this cover parts and labor all year long, you may want to check with your current service company to see if they offer something like this after your warranty expires.

lcbdeb · May 29, 2007, 09:52 PM

Honeywell is probably the way to go but for now the XCI is still under warranty so I'm going to just have it replaced. Now I know if the stupid thing goes out again I'll know what the problem is! =)

labman · May 30, 2007, 10:41 AM

Circuit boards are not that big of a deal to change yourself if not under warranty. At the worst, you need to make notes of where the wires are before starting.