ASI's Air Conditioning Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
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Frequently Asked
Question about Air Conditioning Systems, Air Conditioners, Condensing
Units, Condensers
Why does my Air Conditioning run all day in hot weather?
Assuming this is not a new symptom... this is a common complaint and can be attributed to two possible things. The first is that your system may have been designed correctly to meet the latest energy codes to perform at the highest efficiency. The other possibility is that it was not designed at all or was not sized properly in the first place. During real hot weather this can unfortunately be normal due to how air conditioning systems are designed for maximum efficiency. Air conditioning systems are designed to basically an averaged mean high temperature in your particular area, many areas are designed for say about 90 Deg F outdoor temperature and at that point they are generally at their maximum efficiency and should continue to cycle on and off with generally the run time matching the off time. The air conditioners efficiency drops when the temperature goes above this point and the system must run longer to meet the set point... common thought on this is that you will not see that many days at the higher temperature and it is worth the loss in comfort to have the maximum efficiency during the mean average outside air temperature as that temperature occurs more often. Increasing the efficiency of the air conditioning condensing unit itself (Higher SEER Rating) along with the indoor coil, while maintaining the size, will usually overcome this problem and still maintain your system at maximum designed efficiency. If your system runs all day or for extended periods during this mean average for your area then more than likely you either have a design issue such as incorrect duct sizes or the air conditioner was not sized properly in the first place.
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Why does my Air Conditioner make so much noise when starting?
It is perfectly normal for many air conditioning condenser units to make noise above normal when starting this is due to factors similar to a car engine starting, the oil must travel before it starts to lubricate the moving parts. The other factor is that the compressor is not under pressure for the first few seconds of operating and this tends to make it louder in operation. This condition should only last for a few seconds and no more than say 10 seconds. If it is suddenly making more noise than usual or it lasts beyond a few seconds this is more than likely a symptom of an issue such as low refrigerant charge or it is in an over-charged condition.
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Do I have to replace the indoor coil with a new AC Unit?
Honestly no, but this depends on the age of the system. If you are considering replacing your unit more than likely it is an older generation with a lower SEER rating than those built today. Even with older air conditioning systems you do not have to replace the indoor evaporator coil. But, you would be making a mistake and wasting your money if you choose to keep the old indoor evaporator coil. The two components, the outdoor air conditioning condensing unit and the indoor evaporator coil should be a matched set as far as SEER ratings are concerned in order to obtain the rated efficiency. When running a 13 SEER air conditioning condenser unit with a 10 SEER or lower indoor coil you will more than likely gain very little in efficiency above the rating of the indoor coil. It is also recommended that if you do use your old indoor coil that you have a thermostatic expansion valve (TXV) installed on the indoor coil to properly regulate the refrigerant flow. The other issue today is the change in refrigerants from R22 to R410A, this creates another issue in that the old oil used with R22 is not compatible with the new R410A refrigerant and both the line set (copper tubes) and the indoor coil must be internally cleaned or replaced prior to installing the new refrigerant in order to prevent damage to the new air conditioning condensing unit.
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Why is there water dripping from the copper pipe on my AC unit?
Water dripping from the refrigerant line set (copper pipe or tubing) is an indication of an improperly charged air conditioning system with our without insulation. The refrigerant levels in your air conditioning system is critical to proper operation and efficiency, both too little and too much refrigerant will cause poor operation, lack of capacity and lower operating efficiency. A properly trimmed refrigerant charge will not cause water to form (condense) on the copper refrigerant line set and if you see this you should call a qualified air conditioning repair company to first determine if the charge is low or high and if it is low you should have them inspect for leaks, if it is high do not use the last HVAC company that added refrigerant in the first place.
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Should there be ice on my Air Conditioning unit refrigerant pipe?
Absolutely not. You should never have ice forming anywhere on your air conditioning unit or it's refrigerant line set (copper pipe or tubes) as this is an indication of an improperly charged air conditioning system. This is usually a symptom of a low refrigerant charge but also can be attributed to a possible clog in the refrigerant line set itself. Either way this requires immediate attention and repair or damage to your system could be the result. Call any qualified air conditioning repair contractor to have this issue diagnosed and repaired.
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These easy to understand troubleshooting tips are for common issues that any homeowner can check before making an appointment for service or repairs and to help understand what may be wrong. Please do not perform these tips if you are not comfortable performing them. Electricity is dangerous and can cause serious injury or death, always assume electrical power is on unless you have checked it with an appropriate electrical meter. Ameri-Serv, Inc. assumes no liability for the use of the information provided on this website.Before beginning please read the following article. Understanding Electrical Circuits and Standard Household Voltages
Why does my Air Conditioning run all day in hot weather?
Assuming this is not a new symptom... this is a common complaint and can be attributed to two possible things. The first is that your system may have been designed correctly to meet the latest energy codes to perform at the highest efficiency. The other possibility is that it was not designed at all or was not sized properly in the first place. During real hot weather this can unfortunately be normal due to how air conditioning systems are designed for maximum efficiency. Air conditioning systems are designed to basically an averaged mean high temperature in your particular area, many areas are designed for say about 90 Deg F outdoor temperature and at that point they are generally at their maximum efficiency and should continue to cycle on and off with generally the run time matching the off time. The air conditioners efficiency drops when the temperature goes above this point and the system must run longer to meet the set point... common thought on this is that you will not see that many days at the higher temperature and it is worth the loss in comfort to have the maximum efficiency during the mean average outside air temperature as that temperature occurs more often. Increasing the efficiency of the air conditioning condensing unit itself (Higher SEER Rating) along with the indoor coil, while maintaining the size, will usually overcome this problem and still maintain your system at maximum designed efficiency. If your system runs all day or for extended periods during this mean average for your area then more than likely you either have a design issue such as incorrect duct sizes or the air conditioner was not sized properly in the first place.
Back to Top
Why does my Air Conditioner make so much noise when starting?
It is perfectly normal for many air conditioning condenser units to make noise above normal when starting this is due to factors similar to a car engine starting, the oil must travel before it starts to lubricate the moving parts. The other factor is that the compressor is not under pressure for the first few seconds of operating and this tends to make it louder in operation. This condition should only last for a few seconds and no more than say 10 seconds. If it is suddenly making more noise than usual or it lasts beyond a few seconds this is more than likely a symptom of an issue such as low refrigerant charge or it is in an over-charged condition.
Back to Top
Do I have to replace the indoor coil with a new AC Unit?
Honestly no, but this depends on the age of the system. If you are considering replacing your unit more than likely it is an older generation with a lower SEER rating than those built today. Even with older air conditioning systems you do not have to replace the indoor evaporator coil. But, you would be making a mistake and wasting your money if you choose to keep the old indoor evaporator coil. The two components, the outdoor air conditioning condensing unit and the indoor evaporator coil should be a matched set as far as SEER ratings are concerned in order to obtain the rated efficiency. When running a 13 SEER air conditioning condenser unit with a 10 SEER or lower indoor coil you will more than likely gain very little in efficiency above the rating of the indoor coil. It is also recommended that if you do use your old indoor coil that you have a thermostatic expansion valve (TXV) installed on the indoor coil to properly regulate the refrigerant flow. The other issue today is the change in refrigerants from R22 to R410A, this creates another issue in that the old oil used with R22 is not compatible with the new R410A refrigerant and both the line set (copper tubes) and the indoor coil must be internally cleaned or replaced prior to installing the new refrigerant in order to prevent damage to the new air conditioning condensing unit.
Back to Top
Why is there water dripping from the copper pipe on my AC unit?
Water dripping from the refrigerant line set (copper pipe or tubing) is an indication of an improperly charged air conditioning system with our without insulation. The refrigerant levels in your air conditioning system is critical to proper operation and efficiency, both too little and too much refrigerant will cause poor operation, lack of capacity and lower operating efficiency. A properly trimmed refrigerant charge will not cause water to form (condense) on the copper refrigerant line set and if you see this you should call a qualified air conditioning repair company to first determine if the charge is low or high and if it is low you should have them inspect for leaks, if it is high do not use the last HVAC company that added refrigerant in the first place.
Back to Top
Should there be ice on my Air Conditioning unit refrigerant pipe?
Absolutely not. You should never have ice forming anywhere on your air conditioning unit or it's refrigerant line set (copper pipe or tubes) as this is an indication of an improperly charged air conditioning system. This is usually a symptom of a low refrigerant charge but also can be attributed to a possible clog in the refrigerant line set itself. Either way this requires immediate attention and repair or damage to your system could be the result. Call any qualified air conditioning repair contractor to have this issue diagnosed and repaired.
Back to Top
These easy to understand troubleshooting tips are for common issues that any homeowner can check before making an appointment for service or repairs and to help understand what may be wrong. Please do not perform these tips if you are not comfortable performing them. Electricity is dangerous and can cause serious injury or death, always assume electrical power is on unless you have checked it with an appropriate electrical meter. Ameri-Serv, Inc. assumes no liability for the use of the information provided on this website.Before beginning please read the following article. Understanding Electrical Circuits and Standard Household Voltages
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