Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Central Air Conditioner

1. About how much to residential central AC units cost?

way too many variables.

parent for a undemanding 3 ton a/c with a 80,000 gasoline furnace, you're able to get somebody to moonlight it for $3500.00, or for a genuine of the line device, with a pair of extras it ought to be $10,000.00 you ought to have an theory of what you're finding to have accomplished, and how plenty greater you're keen to pay for bigger performance structures,then call for some estimates.

bear in strategies, maximum companies will attempt to upsell. If it became me, i might stay with a undemanding device, humidifier is fantastic, stay away from digital air cleaners, and quite ask for the plenty low value, severe performance pleated, disposable filter out. Too many bells and whistles can kill ya down the line on provider fees.

are not getting too wrapped up in sort names, maximum grant impressive warranties presently, yet you ought to objective to get an excellent company or individual to do the paintings. i've got accomplished a sprint moonlighting in my day, and can bypass over and above to shelter a customer, yet countless moonlighters and companies choose to take the funds and run. Ask around somewhat, perhaps inspect Angies record, or you additionally can choose to stroll into an area HVAC grant homestead and ask the folk on the counter who that they had advise.

i've got been doing this particularly a mutually as, and that i've got seen countless hatchet jobs, and a few good ones, however the subject is that maximum clientele do no longer be conscious of the version between the two. i assume what it comes right down to is to ask around like I suggested, then attempt to get a sense for the folk estimating the pastime. a salesperson will in many situations look educated and expert, yet they gained't be those doing the paintings.

A moonlighter stands out as the guy unquestionably doing the pastime. in the event that they look below expert, it quite is and indicator of the form of pastime you will finally end up with. in many situations the solid men are approved and insured.

it quite is a sprint a crap shoot. The greater estimates the greater effective. desire this helps

------

2.

my fan on my central air conditioner is not turning?

If the fan interior the condenser unit isn't working, however the compressor is, then you truly had ultimate get available and close it down on the disconnect top now, lest in case you trash the compressor it is going to fee you $$$$$. If the compressor isn't working, then one has to confirm first in case you have administration voltage.

on the thermostat, turn the fan on purely (interior fan). If the fan runs, you do certainly have administration voltage. Thats reliable.

ok. Set the stat to call for cooling. flow to the condenser unit.

verify out the thermostat twine for breaks from the abode to the condenser. make helpful it has comprehensive ability from the disconnect. If the compressor is working however the fan isn't, use a stick and attempt to get the fan going.

If it takes to the air, its the capacitor. If it does not, its the fan motor. If neither are working, take the get right of entry to panel off the unit.

At this factor be very very VERY careful. in case you're no longer delicate around uncovered voltage extreme adequate to kill you, provide up. call a expert.

in case you prefer to proceed, verify the contactor coil for continuity. If its ok, verify out the ingredient that looks like a tin can. If its in any respect swollen or misshapen, its undesirable & would desire to get replaced.

abode Cheapo & Lowes don't have them. If the capacitor is superb seek for the midsection positioned up of the contactor. Press it in.

If the fan & compressor tries to start up, its the contactor factors. replace it. in case you recognize you have comprehensive ability and each and each of something of it tests ok, call a expert to ascertain out the fan & compressor.

wish those concepts help.

------

3. How can i hook a line voltage thermostat up to my window air conditioner.

Update, 9:00pm Determine the voltage of your controls to the old t-stat. Try to get as much information off the the existing t-stat like voltage and amperage to make sure the replacement will work. There should be 2 wires on it, as does your t-stat.

One side will say "line" incoming voltage the other "load" to the motor Contact to energize unit These should be identified as such to reduce swapping error. I would recommend to replace with the same t-stat type and configuration. The existing one should be removed from the wiring completely.

If all wires, voltage, and amperage are not with parameters do not attempt. All you are doing is extending the t-stat to another location. NOTE: If you are using a 24V control system I advise increasing the wire size one gauge for every 20'.

If you need to run 20' @ 24V and start with #16awg then use #14awg for voltage drop. Good Luck keep it unplugged Do Not Attempt if not 100% sure of your abilities, and Do Not use parts that do not meet or exceed original. A line voltage t-stat is like a switch on/off, so unless your unit doesn't have a t-stat built in that you are intending to wire this in place of.

I'm afraid your stuck with switching the receptacle with the that t-stat and leaving it on Hi. You are talking about analog controls with dials? If it has a digital display it might reset the settings, and you will still need to turn it on every time the t-stat clicked off.

I believe its components like the t-stat will be a low voltage, it wire diagram would show its voltage. If you haven't already done it. lol Analog would have such a thermostat, that you just replace the leads for this and your back in business.

.Ahhh. those where the good ol.

da.ys. eh hem.

sry "Line voltage" just means it is place in series with the units power supply. In a analog unit, you can wire in place of the t-stat dial in series with the controls. Make sure the control voltage device is the same voltage as the controls, *appliance control circuits sometimes are reduced in voltage for smaller components.

The thermostat needs its specified voltage to work, So a 110V device wont work with a 24V power supply. I'll look for Updates.I'm curious how your going to do this.

P.S. Oh yeah if you are switching the receptacle make sure it is a motor rated receptacle20A, These things like to start up a bit high in amps for awhile, which will play havok on a non-rated receptacle.

Also being the only thing on this circuit would help as well.

------

4. Are Tempstar central air units any good?

My installer is recommending a R2A3 unit.

There is nothing wrong with that unit, it just an off brand of carrier. It a basic unit.

Here is the issue that the installer MAY have not told you. Your old unit was a 10 Seer unit at best. And the unit he is proposing is a 13seer.

So you have a mismatched system. While there is nothing wrong (im keeping it basic here people) is that you will never see the full benefit saving of the new unit. In order to take advantage of the SEER rating you have to have match coil or go larger.

And the other thing is if he or someone else was out there topping off the system you have a leak. Which means just replacing the unit, is a waste of money. You have a R-22 system, and he is proposing just changing out the outside unit.

So if no one was out there toping off the old one you should be fine. However, with a 16 coil, I would make sure the indoor coil is in good shape. Or you will have wasted your money here, only to find out say in 1yr or 2 that the coil inside has a leak.

Thats worst case. Stick with a 13 Seer if this is the case with outside only swap out. Note: You need to ask him why the compressor failed.

If he says burn out, or shorted to ground compressor, you need to have the system flushed, and as a pre-caution have him install a suction acid drier. If he said what I mention thats not good as the system (im leaving a lot out here) will get acid in the system. So if not addressed, your new system will fail in a short amount of time from black death.