[danjab]

Hi guys,

I hope you can help me.

I have a great Trane 80XL unit, and has worked well for me for years.
Last night, it started to not blow cold air so well. Then I realized that I hadn't cleaned the filter in a while, plus we got a new puppy, so that filter needed some work. I cleaned it very well last night.

Today when I turned the unit on around 9am this morning, it was blowing like it used to, so I figured I had resolved it. But now, around noon, the cold air is not as strong as it was this morning, and the temperature on the thermostat is not going down.

Any other tips you can offer? It's going to get hot here over the next few days, and I would bring in a repair guy, but with this virus, that's too dangerous.

I would be grateful to hear any ideas you have!

Dan Jablons
[email protected]

 

[surferdude2]

Run it on cool for 30 mins. and then check the suction line out at the condensing unit to see if it feels cool. Also feel the air blowing from the condenser unit for the warmth (10° F. or more above ambient would be normal) . Then check the suction line at the evaporator on the furnace. If it has frost on the line at the furnace, you may need to have the evaporator coil cleaned. If it is restricted, it can cause the coil to frost up and restrict (even block) the air flow.

Cleaning the coil would likely have to be done by a tech...

I'll assume you are aware that most evaporator coils tend to restrict the air flow by their very nature of retaining a certain amount of condensate on the coil under normal operating conditions and you aren't referring to that. I notice most systems blow more air when initially started up and as the coil become moisture laden, the flow drops measurably. I don't mean to infer that that's your problem... just passing that along for informational purposes.

That's all I can offer until you provide info based on your observations.

 

[danjab]

Thank you for your reply.

True confession, I am not handy at all, and I don't really know where some of the things you are suggesting, actually exist on the unit.

I can tell you that there is a line of some sort, that is wrapped in insulation, that definitely froze. So I've stopped running the unit, to let that thaw, as I remember from the past when the filter wasn't cleaned, that when it's frozen, it doesn't blow cold air.

If there are more specifics you can offer me, that might help a hopeless novice in that area, I sure would appreciate it!

 

[surferdude2]

The suction line is the larger of the two copper tubings running from the furnace evaporator coil out to the condenser unit outdoors.

It sounds like your coil has iced up from having a restricted filter. That can take quite a while to melt the frost and possibly ice from the coil. You can speed the process along by putting the thermostat in the off position and switching the fan to ON. (not auto).

Do not run the system in heat mode... it could damage the heat exchanger due to low air flow.

Observe the water flow in the drain line at the furnace evaporator coil. When it quits flowing water, we would hope the frost/ice has completely melted. Even so, wait another 30 minutes just for laughts.

If you are lucky, that will be the end of this ordeal.

If no luck, post back for more options.

 

[roughneck]

When you say you cleaned the filter, do you actually have one that’s cleanable? Most are just disposable. You throw it away and get a new one.
If the filter was really blocked up some dirt may have gotten onto the evaporator.

 

[digitalplumber]

Call a tech, sounds like it needs a good check up! May not be just a clogged filter, could have a leak and need 410a.

 

[danjab]

Turns out that we needed refrigerant. Got a guy to come, and fortunately he did it all from outside the house.

Once this insane virus is behind us, I'll have him come back and do a deep cleaning.

My sincere thanks to all of you. This chat room is AMAZING!!!

 

[roughneck]

When he comes back, have him leak check the unit and locate the source of leaking refrigerant. Or it’ll leak out and have problems again.
Your air conditioner operates as a sealed system. Refrigerant isn’t consumed during operation.

 

[danjab]

Will do! Thank you Roghneck!