Help! - I have been troubleshooting my AC system today since its p...

HOMEOWNER CRIES FOR HELP...

posted: September 8th, 2008 - 2:04pm

QUESTION:
I have been troubleshooting my AC system today since its performance is not as good as last year. Outside coils have been cleaned and are in good shape, air filter replaced every 2 months. So I decided to check the A coils, (ten yr old unit first time checking these coils. Somewhat of a hassle to see under the A coils but they looked in good shape, but what jumped out at me was the copper pipes that carry the Freon (I guess) throughout the coil.
Each side of the A had about 7 rows (going in and out of the coil), the lower half of these pipes had condensation on them and where cold to the touch. The top 3 rows again even on both sides (of the A coil) were room temperature. It was as if no fluid was making it up that high, I know little to nothing about HVAC and hope someone can give me insight on if this is a Freon or an A coil problem or something else.
Thank you.

ANSWER: It appears your system is undercharged or possibly has a restriction in the refrigerant circuit you can't tell for sure without taking some temperature and pressure readings.
You can find a chart in your installation instructions or on some models a guide will be on the inside of the control box.