AboutCraig HVAC Expert Expertise I have been in the HVAC field for the past 12+ years. I can help with most HVAC questions. I work on commerical buildings for the most part, and have yet to find anything I could not troubleshoot and repair, when repairable. I work on small 1 ton units to a 2500 ton chiller. Troubleshoot air flow, elect, and control problems. I attend regular classes to keep up with the latest and greatest.
Experience I have work in the HVAC trade for the past sixteen years. I work on commerical sites, hospitals, gov't buildings. I can troubleshoot just about anything in the HVAC business.
Education/Credentials 5 years union trade school, VFD training classes, Liebert factory training, some York and Trane factory training.
Question QUESTION: The unit has been running for some time now and is not putting out any cool air at all - I just checked the vent and actually there is no circulation. I am wondering what the problem may be. The unit is about 25 years old. It did this the other day also and eventually the cool air began to come out of the vents. Thanks for your help. The thermostat is set at 79 - it is 88 or so in here. There is an insulated pipe connected to the unit which is cold to the touch as it was the other day.
ANSWER: You need to look at the system and determine if all of the fans are working and the compressor. You should also check the insulated line at the air handler to see if you notice any frost or ice.
Craig
achelpguy@gmail.com
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: The large fan unit outside the house was working the other day. There must be a fan inside the unit - how can I tell if it and the compressor are working? I have not had the unit on for over a day now as I am concerned because I had it on so long without anything happening yesterday. The day before after a long time the system began to blow out cold air but not yesterday after an even longer period of time. The last time I had it on I do not remember seeing any frost or ice but I am not sure where the air handler is. Perhaps the insulated line is the pipe I referred to originally which was cool to the touch - it is the only insulated thing I see and it runs from the floor up to the top of the unit - it comes out of the floor and runs a distance to where it angles and than goes a short distance into the unit. That probably is where the air handler is.
Thanks for your help.
ANSWER: The unit contains two fans. One outside and one inside. When the compressor is running, the bigger insulated pipe should be cold and the air temp coming out of the outdoor unit should be warmer then the air going in. If you locate the indoor air handler unit, when the fan is running you should feel a vibration or something. You may even hear air moving.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: There is one insulated pipe next to a PVC pipe - it connects at the top left facing the unit with a smaller pipe going in above it- the insulated pipe was cool the other day so apparently the condenser was running but probably not inside fan. Would the inside fan likely be at the top of the unit under where the filter goes in, in the middle, or at the bottom? There are three sections which can be accessed.The outside fan was running the other day and the air seemed warm which was coming out of the turning blades. I am not sure what is meant by the air going in mentioned in your second answer.
Is the indoor fan the equivalent to the indoor air handler unit or is it part of the indoor handler unit? When I get inside will I see the blades or are they inside a cover? The last time I had it on I have a feeling the fan was not running but I will check for sure this evening. The time before last the fan started blowing air but it took a long time before it did. The last time it did not start blowing at all. I am beginning to think it is the fan.
Thanks for your help in diagnosis.
Answer The fan can be at the top or bottom. It really depends on the unit. They come both ways. The fan inside is a wheel. We often refer to it as a blower wheel or squirrel cage. Picture a hampster wheel. The motor is mounted in the middle of the wheel.
