[BrokenWallet]

This is my SECOND Goodman air conditioning unit and it has been nothing but trouble. It is just over five years old and after having replaced the external capaciter just last summer, the line sprang a leak, which cost me an arm and leg to repair and refill with freon. After the service tech filled the line on the high pressure line, within the hour my house thermostat was no longer working. What gives??

[drtom4444]

Those two problems are not related. It sounds as if you had a bad installation job and/or a scammer. Very rarely is there any problem with a t-stat and I would be very suspicious. If I was you I would learn about air conditioners and how to repair them. They are very easy to understand and there are plenty of books and schools are plentiful. DrTom4444

[Fr_Chuck]

Yes a Goodman is a very good unit. And of course after 5 years of use, one can have problems with any unit, in fact the most costly units can have problems right out of the box as do any items, Brand new cars on the lot, at times have mechanic issues that are fixed.

This sounds much more like a issue with the installing or service company

[BrokenWallet]

Thank you -- actually I did do some reading up on the unit and gained some basic troubleshooting tips -- it appears that a $24.95 Hunter digital thermostat fixed the problem. AC is now running like a charm! :)

[BrokenWallet]

Understood completely, Fr_Chuck. Thx for yours and drtomm's insights!

[drtom4444]

That thermostat is as good as a $200.00 expensive t-stat. I am glad you fixed the problem. Remember: All ACs are basically the same according to federal law. It's like buying prescription drugs. When you buy a certain type it doesn't matter what brand it is. The main thing to remember is airflow, filter area, and keeping it clean. Most so-called HVAC service people don't want to think about the cleaning part which has made me rich. Dirt is problem #1. Keep it clean and oil the fan motors and they will last for 30-40 years. DrTom4444

[Fr_Chuck]

I got one of those super programmable thermostat for my business, I have had so much trouble with programing and all sorts of issues, I am ready to go back to a 30 dollar one myself.

[BrokenWallet]

How do I oil the fan motors, Tom? I believe there is an internal and external fan -- and what type of oil to use? (WD40?) Thanks in advance!

[drtom4444]

You unplug the wires on the internal blower unit, slide out blower, and then check for the oil hole plugs. You use a special high speed oil available for $2.00 at any AC parts house which has a long plastic tube. Sometimes you need to slide out the motor from the blower wheel and you may need a blower wheel puller to do this which will cost about $10.00 or less. The blower wheel should be cleaned, too, because just 1/16" of dirt in cups of blades will cost 30% in efficiency. The outside motor has more accessible oil holes. Just turn off power and lift fan up to clean the coils and oil motor. The inside coils should also be cleaned every year to keep compressor from failing. You spray it with alkaline coil cleaner and wash out with water. The coil cleaner foams, but wear gloves because it will remove skin. If you do these things at least once a year and use pleated filters your AC will almost never fail. DrTom4444

[drtom4444]

The 30 dollar one is just as good. The location of the t-stat is the most important factor. It must be at least three feet away from an exterior wall or other false heat source. DrTom4444