a/c question for a/c/ Tech

[gtty]

Anyone here work in the HVAC bidness. I just want to get opinion of this systems r22 charge

Outdoor Temp 95 deg.
Indoor temp at 1st register after evap 62.2 deg
temp at return 74.8 deg
liquid High Pressure: 280 psi
suction low pressure: 74/43deg
suction line temp at service valve on condensor: 50 deg

If I remember right, that gives me 7 deg superheat. right

This is a split 3-1/2 ton r22 system that is cooling the upstairs of my house.

Can I get more cooling out of this system?

[walt-oxie1]

The pressure are normal for the outside ambient air temperature. The only thing that may need to be done is clean the coils (inside and outside). You might also want to change the air filter more regularly if you are in a dusty area. Go with the pleated filters, they are way better than the cheap ones. Not to mention they last longer and filter the air better. My Dad is an A/C guy and I asked him what he thought and he agrees with me on this. I used to do refrigeration work about 16 or 17 years ago. He still does it daily.

[gtty]

I have used the high dollar 3m purple filters for 10 years and the filter is only 3 weeks old. I live in Houston, Tx. Seems the split between return and register is low, but I'm not sure. Its been a while since I have messed with this. I jetted out the condensor with the garden hose yesterday, and the evap coil (n-style) is only 5 years old, but I havent opened it up to check the cleanliness.

[walt-oxie1]

The average temp difference between the register and return is @ 15 degrees. You are about 12.6 degrees difference which is close enough. Cleaning the outside coil with just a garden hose will get the coils somewhat clean. If there was any crud or dirt coming out of it I highly recommend buying some coil cleaner for the outside coil. I am not sure if you ever used it before but it is simple, spray it on the coil, let it sit for a bit, and rinse with water hose. A garden hose will not remove all the baked on dirt, etc from the coil unfortunately. Since you are already using quality filters it is doubtful that the inside coil has enough build up on it to make a difference. Where is your air handler located?

[gtty]

Air handler is in the attic. Should I use the home depot condenser coil cleaner, or go buy something better at a HVAC supplier store?

[walt-oxie1]

The temp spread is great with the air handler in the attic. Do you happen to have attic fans? Where are they located? Hopefully it is on the end of the house where the sun sets. I would buy the coil cleaner from the HVAC supply store. You will get better results. Make sure you do not use outdoor coil cleaner on the inside coil if you decide to clean it.

[gtty]

No attic fan. just ridge vent, soffet vents, and one gable vent. last time I took the temp in the attic, dead of summer. it was 120 deg.

I learned how to replace the evap from the internet. Man it sure was a hot job. I remember coming out of the attic to the back deck. It seemed so cool in the 98 deg temp. I had a bid of $1200 to replace the evap. I think I did it all for less than $300.

[walt-oxie1]

I can relate all too well on working in attics. That is why I don't do it anymore. It would be worthwhile to install an attic fan. It will help degrease the temp and the A/C will not have to work as hard. Which side of the house does the sun set on?

[gtty]

west. Sorry I had to say it.

Actually the front of the house faces south.

I guess the fan should bring air into the attic right? Not push it out.

[walt-oxie1]

Install the fan on the West side of the house. This will draw the cooler air in and push the hotter air out of the attic. It would be best to install the fan on the gable. You are correct, the air is brought into the attic.

[gtty]

I'll have to go to home depot and see what they have. thanks for your help.

[walt-oxie1]

No problem, I am kind of glad you jogged my memory a bit. I had almost forgot a bunch of this stuff over the years.

[pigpen]

I hate to barge in on this but I have noticed my ac has been putting out a lot of water from the drain pipe thing. I know some water should be coming out ut this is leaving a pretty big puddle. Would that be the sign of a problem?

[okie shooter]

Na, water means you have high humidity, and the machine is working fine. If the water stops or the coils freeze up then you have a problem. The coils useally cool the air below the dew point of the outside air and even inside air thus condenseing water to be drained to the outside or some other drain.

In the winter, you dew point is the window temps, summer the coil exit tempeture.

[gtty]

if I'm not mistaken, If this is a split system with the condensor on the side of the house, and the evaporator in the attic, this water is coming from the overflow pipe. This would mean that the principle drain line is clogged. When the overflow pipe clogs, you could have water in the house, as my neighbo found out. The system will always make water, especially in moist humid climates like houston where I live. I pour bleach in the drain line to get the slime out.

[kodiak]

Anyone here work in the HVAC bidness. I just want to get opinion of this systems r22 charge

Outdoor Temp 95 deg.
Indoor temp at 1st register after evap 62.2 deg
temp at return 74.8 deg
liquid High Pressure: 280 psi
suction low pressure: 74/43deg
suction line temp at service valve on condensor: 50 deg

If I remember right, that gives me 7 deg superheat. right

This is a split 3-1/2 ton r22 system that is cooling the upstairs of my house.

Can I get more cooling out of this system?

If you can draw your house temp 20 deg. below outside temp. you are doing fantastic with the size unit you have.

[pigpen]

Na, water means you have high humidity, and the machine is working fine. If the water stops or the coils freeze up then you have a problem. The coils useally cool the air below the dew point of the outside air and even inside air thus condenseing water to be drained to the outside or some other drain.

In the winter, you dew point is the window temps, summer the coil exit tempeture.

Oh it is humid around my parts. :icon_biggrin:

Just seemed like a lot. The dogs sure like the cool puddle of mater it makes.

[gtty]

Are you running a window unit Pigpen?

[pigpen]

Are you running a window unit Pigpen?

No, not a window unit.