Question:
I live in Phoenix, AZ. My outside unit (compressor) does not start when it is hot outside (from around 1:00pm to 8:00pm); and if it does then it shuts down soon after. It works normal during all other times. The run and kickstart caps seem to be fine. The outside fan always blowing. So what is causing it not to work properly during the peak of the heat? The unit is 5 years old and always worked fine. No freezing either during that period of time. Could it be that the “radiator like” or coil section of the compressor needs cleaning? although it did not look anymore dusty then last 5 years.? or could it be that the compressor is going out and it’s first symptom is not to work properly when it is too hot? Please help. Thanks

Reply:
Sounds like your machine is tripping a safety device called a refrigeration high pressure safety switch. If it is the culprit then the cause is varied.
Most common is that there isn’t enough air blowing freely over the condenser coil.
There are contaminants in the system such as air, this is not likely unless the machine has been repaired fairly recently.
The compressor is shutting down due to an internal safety such as high temperature or high amperage drawing.
After all is said and done you need professional assistance from a qualified and experienced A/C technician, it is highly unlikely you would be able fix this one yourself.

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Question:
Lately my central air hasn’t been working very well. It is constantly running and we have to keep the thermostat turned down to 55 or below to ensure the house stays cool. (My parents live near me and they keep their thermostat around 65). Needless to say, it is always running. Well, today it stopped altogether. When I turn the air on, I can hear the outside unit kick on, but absolutely no air comes through the vents. Any ideas on what it might be and if it is something I can fix myself. My dad said it sounds like the duct is disconnected or something. Any help is appreciated, as I really want to resolve this issue, possibly without the help of expensive contractors. I also really hate to sweat. Thanks.

Reply:
Either your indoor fan motor has burnt out or the relay serving the fan motor is faulty. Either of these requires an A/C technician.
If your ductwork has blown off the indoor unit ( which can happen ) then you need to check in your ceiling space fro this possibility. If you have a zoned system, one of the damper motors could be stuck in the closed position.
My guess is that the fan motor has burnt out as this is usually the problem from what you describe here.
Good luck finding a competent A/C mechanic this time of year ( mid summer ).
Note: if you are having to set your t/stat at 55 and 65 respectively you have machines that are either too small (capacity wise) for your home or there could be a refrigerant leak which causes the machine to be ineffective. They are probably running flat out trying to reach set point, causing your electricity bill to be needlessly high….just a thought.

Before you make any final decision do your homework. Get facts and a clear understanding of products so that you can ask questions and make an informed decision about a unit. There are many online sites that have valuable information about home heating and air conditioning systems such as Consumer Guide (www.consumerguide.com), Environmental Protection Agency (www.epa.gov) and American Council for Energy Efficient Economy (www.aceee.org).

Visit the EnergyStar site (www.energystar.gov) to find out how to pick the right system for your home. Talk to several different professional installers to get information and estimates. Today places like Home Depot and Sears install heating and air conditioning systems. Talk with family and friends who may have had systems recently installed.
To learn more about Home Heating & Air Conditioning please visit www.easy-hvac.com
Article Source: EzineArticles.com/?expert=Catherine_Olivia

Some air conditioning systems are incorporated into the heating system, some are not. There are various types of air conditioning systems. The simpler well known ones are air conditioning units such as window air conditioning units, wall mounted air conditioning systems and free standing portable systems.

Today most homes have what is called a split-system. The evaporator coil is inside and the cooling system, which contains the condenser and compressor is outside. They are connected by refrigerant lines running between them.

If you have an older home and are considering making an upgrade to your present air conditioning and heating system you will probably notice a savings of up to 40% if you’re replacing a unit that is 10 years old. You may actually find if you have an older system that you don’t necessarily need the newest top of the line model to get better cooling and heating. Today’s systems are so superior to older ones you’ll notice a difference even if you buy a newer lower end system. One thing you’ll notice immediately is that the compressor is much quieter. You’ll also notice the air coming out of the ductwork is much cooler.

Gas and oil furnace heated homes generally feel warmer then homes with older electric heat pumps. You’ll find electric heat pumps in warmer areas of the country. They were a great idea for use in the south where temps stay generally warm but their use slowly crept up the east coast to areas where they don’t work as well due to the colder winter temperatures.

Heat pumps work by pulling “warm” air from the outside, warming it and circulating it through the house via use of ducts. Electric baseboard heating is easy to install, but can be very costly to run, especially with the price of electric today. Electric heating doesn’t use ductwork like a furnace or heat pump. You can keep each room at a specific temperature as baseboards have individual control.

Question: Can you duct a standard swamp cooler into an existing homes ductwork?

Reply: Cannot use a central refrigerated air conditioning system ductwork with an evaporative sytems ductwork for a couple of reasons.
1/ The evap (swamp cooler) ducting has a larger circumference as it needs much higher airflows to give the evaporative effect which also usually serves many rooms in the home all at once.
2/ Zoning of a refrigerated system (motorized dampers) are not suitable equipment for evap systems.

Replace the ductwork. And do it properly, get the sizing of the duct determined correctly for the length of the duct runs to the rooms. Balancing of the airflow is important or the outlet closest to the evap cooler will blow off your toupee

There are various types of home heating and air conditioning systems. The type you have in your home is most likely based on the age of your home and the part of the country in which you live. Especially if you buy an older, existing home.

Gas and oil furnaces have been around a long time. A furnace draws air through duct systems in the home where it is heated in the furnace and returned back to the home through the duct system.