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View Full Version : Heat pump not cooling well


Ripper1
Aug 5, 2008, 09:15 PM
We have a heat-pump and had to have a new capacitor installed about 2 months ago, because the outside fan would not run. It's been working great ever since until yesterday. I noticed the tempature has elevated and the air flow seems good. I replace filter monthly, and put a new one in again. The compressor is working same as the outside fan seems OK too. I don't see any ice on the lines, in fact they don't feel icy either. I appreciate any suggestions. Thank you.

wmproop
Aug 5, 2008, 09:21 PM
How long has it been since it had a good cleaning ? The condenser and the evaporater coils

Ripper1
Aug 6, 2008, 01:17 AM
The system is 4-5 yrs old. Replaced the outside unit 5 yrs ago, and the air exchanger 4 yrs ago. I clean the outside box with a hose about twice a year. Other than that and replacing the filter each month, is all I know to do. Could it be low on freon? Or would that cause it to freeze? The air flow seems as strong as it always has been, but it's not cooling near what it should or has been. Thank you very much for any info you can give. :) Where is the condenser at? How can I clean it and same with coils? My knowledge is lacking.

wmproop
Aug 6, 2008, 08:23 AM
Sounds like maybe you have done all you can do, time to call out the experts,to check it out,, I`m sure if it need s freon you will have to call them anyway,, have you ever had to have freon put in before this?,

Ripper1
Aug 6, 2008, 10:02 AM
About two months ago the outside fan stopped running, and a service man came out and replaced the capacitor. I asked him to also check the freon, which he did and added a small amount. That was the only problem in 4 years we have encountered. Would low freon cause it to loose the cooling effect slow like that? I always thought it would freeze up first? Thank you for taking your time and helping me. Could it be the capacitor again? Or would something else be happening also?

wmproop
Aug 6, 2008, 10:44 AM
Losing freon would cause both cooling effect and cause it to freeze up wharn it gets to a certain point,then when its lower on freon it will just not work and not freeze up,, if it was a capiciter the fan or the compressor wouldn`t work, or both,, if its does turn out to be low on freon,, you should get them to find the leak and fix it,, freon doesn`t wear out, its going somewhere

Ripper1
Aug 6, 2008, 06:25 PM
I had a ac serviceman come out today and checked the freon level and told me it was perfect. He also looked at my coil and said it was spotless clean. He told me that he could see that I change the filters every month. He said the system was functioning normal and if the house tempature doesn't cool down tonight, then to call him again,lol. My living room has been 61 F - 66 F for the last six weeks, until now it is at 73 F and not lowering. I remember when our last air handler w/indoor coil etc... had to be replaced because of the coil was blocked or something ? What else could cause this? Thanks again for taking time.

wmproop
Aug 6, 2008, 07:03 PM
What is your day time outside temperature?, if its real hot outside there are days you are lucky if a unit can keep the indoor temp 20 degrees cooler than the outside

Ripper1
Aug 6, 2008, 09:50 PM
Yes it is very hot outside, around 93-95 and 75-78 lows. However, we have had days reach 100 F+ , and our home was much cooler than now. Could humidity levels be the reason for that?If I hold a thermometer next to my air vent, what should I see if its ninety outside? And 70 inside? And could higher humidity make us feel the system is failing, after keeping indoor temps cooler under more elevated outside temps? Thank you again for taking your time to help me.