Air Conditioning - All AC components turn on, but no cold air blowing
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bigchingan
05-13-07, 06:04 PM
Hi,
I recently moved into a condo that has a AC/Heat pump. The unit is in a closet on the balcony, with the compressor sticking out of the outer wall. I'm on the 7th floor, so obstructions to the compressor don't seem to be a problem (I looked from the outside). My air filter was also completely clean (new one installed 1 month ago).
I have been using the AC on and off for the last month, including on days exceeding 80 degrees. Today's temp was around 80. I realized when my living room was heating up that the AC wasn't working correctly. Everything is coming on, but no cold air is blowing. I can feel a hint of cool air when i put my hand up to it, but that may just be the cooler ambient air inside the insulated air ducts.
Everything was working perfectly yesterday, but today I haven't been able to get it to produce cool air. I also checked all the circuit breakers and reset them.
Last night there was a power surge in the city. I was on my balcony at the time and saw the lights go out for a split second everywhere. From reading other threads, it appears that the power resuming after an outage might have messed up the capacitor. Could anyone tell me if this is a likely cause, and if so, a possible DIY repair? As I said, it appears all the components are coming on.
I should mention that I believe its the original AC for this unit, which was built in 1980.
Thanks in advance for any help!
I recently moved into a condo that has a AC/Heat pump. The unit is in a closet on the balcony, with the compressor sticking out of the outer wall. I'm on the 7th floor, so obstructions to the compressor don't seem to be a problem (I looked from the outside). My air filter was also completely clean (new one installed 1 month ago).
I have been using the AC on and off for the last month, including on days exceeding 80 degrees. Today's temp was around 80. I realized when my living room was heating up that the AC wasn't working correctly. Everything is coming on, but no cold air is blowing. I can feel a hint of cool air when i put my hand up to it, but that may just be the cooler ambient air inside the insulated air ducts.
Everything was working perfectly yesterday, but today I haven't been able to get it to produce cool air. I also checked all the circuit breakers and reset them.
Last night there was a power surge in the city. I was on my balcony at the time and saw the lights go out for a split second everywhere. From reading other threads, it appears that the power resuming after an outage might have messed up the capacitor. Could anyone tell me if this is a likely cause, and if so, a possible DIY repair? As I said, it appears all the components are coming on.
I should mention that I believe its the original AC for this unit, which was built in 1980.
Thanks in advance for any help!
Jarredsdad
05-14-07, 05:25 PM
But you may have a 27 year old unit!
Did you have the unit checked out before moving in (buying?). Do you know if it has ever been serviced? 7th floor obviously no obstuctions, over the years dust and dirt going through the condenser becomes a major obstruction.
You obviously know where the breakers are. How mechanically inclined are you? We'll help but we're not just going to tell anyone to open the system and stick hands and fingers in and end up doing the 220 volt mombo.
So what's the model and make of the unit?
Do you have a meter and know how to use it?
Did you open the closet and hear the compressor running?
Do you kow where the the electric panel cover is on the unit?
As I said, it could very well be that the cap was whacked by a power surge or that could be a coincidence.
Chris
Did you have the unit checked out before moving in (buying?). Do you know if it has ever been serviced? 7th floor obviously no obstuctions, over the years dust and dirt going through the condenser becomes a major obstruction.
You obviously know where the breakers are. How mechanically inclined are you? We'll help but we're not just going to tell anyone to open the system and stick hands and fingers in and end up doing the 220 volt mombo.
So what's the model and make of the unit?
Do you have a meter and know how to use it?
Did you open the closet and hear the compressor running?
Do you kow where the the electric panel cover is on the unit?
As I said, it could very well be that the cap was whacked by a power surge or that could be a coincidence.
Chris