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About Jim Barnhart
(Top Expert on this page)

Expertise
Fifty plus years working with Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation, Sheet Metal,Hot Water Heating. Anything that conditions the inside air that we live in, Be it Heating, Cooling, Exhausting or Ventilating. Limited- refrigeration, Current pricing, Steam Heat.

Experience
Answer questions about , residential and commercial. Answer questions about sheet metal fabrication. Fifty years plus experience. No answers for oil equipment, No answers for kitchen appliances, No answers for laundry appliances.

You are here: Experts > Home/Garden > Home Appliances > Heating, Air Conditioning, Fridge, HVAC

Questions Answered By Expert Jim Barnhart
In Category Heating, Air Conditioning, Fridge, HVAC

Subject	Date Asked

ductwork	10/10/2008
Q: We discovered a leak in ceiling and found it was a lot of condensation in the insulation. Also ... A: Rosemary, What are "the galvanized steel ducts" for? heating, cooling, both. What else is in the ...
HVAC quote from 2 companies	10/10/2008
Q: I received two quotes for two different companies that are a couple of thousand dollars apart for ... A: Howard, You would need to ask the companies that gave you the quote's. There are no set standards on ...
Central Air units	10/9/2008
Q: Can you tell me anything about the Intertherm brand and how it compares in quality to other brands. A: Robin, INTERTHERM Became Nordyne company in 1987. Brand-mate Miller. In 1998, Nordyne started ...
horizontal FAU in attic	10/9/2008
Q: The heat exchanger is cracked (small hair line crack about 3 inches long at the base of the return ... A: Olins, What's an FAU? How high efficiency, dose it freeze in your attic? I like Goodman furnaces, I ...
Punctured evaportor coil	10/9/2008
Q: Jim, while defrosting the freezer of my refrigerator I accidentally functured the coil. The ref is ... A: Donde, I don't do kitchen appliances but if you "punctured the coil you lost all the refringent, the ...
Floating Neutral Power Surge v. HVAC	10/9/2008
Q: I have a 2 year old Central Heat and A/C Unit all Electric. The power company did a big No-NO and ... A: Tricia, When something is working as it should work I think it's all but impossible to find any ...
Cracked Heat Exchanger	10/8/2008
Q: We have a Bryant Deluxe furnace (split system w/ac thing outside). The furnace is on the ground ... A: Susan: Contract, What kind of a contract? what's it for? I know you said you seen a "hairline crack ...
Humidifier Connection	10/7/2008
Q: Greetings, I have a Trane XV 95 two stage furnace and a Aprilaire 500 series humidifier. I have ... A: Darrell, I don't have the literature on your "Trane XV 95" or your "Aprilaire 500 series ...
furnace blower motor	10/7/2008
Q: Please, any advice you can give...is greatly appreciated. I have a Luxaire (do they even make them ... A: Lisa, It sounds like your squirrel cage blower wheel may have came loose or got out of line? If you ...
CFM thru duct work	10/6/2008
Q: Jim, thank you for taking the time for this. I'm wondering if a "bottle neck" is created by my 8.5" ... A: David, You should have a minimum of 200 square inches of free area, free area is the amount of ...
Heating and winter	10/5/2008
Q: I live in Michigan and it's heating time again. What is your opinion of turning the thermostat down ... A: Moya. My opinion is, turning the thermostat down a few degrees for a short time like during the ...
Intertherm	10/5/2008
Q: I have a newer Intertherm gas furnace. I just purchased the home and I do not have any books on the ... A: Karen, I'm stumped? Your flame sounds right. I don't know what "only blows cold air" means? I'm ...
Air con units in a fitness syudio	10/5/2008
Q: I have recently opened a fitness studio in the UK in an industrial unit. We have a studio measuring ... A: Paul, I'm not sure what exactly the "'dry' mode" is? Dose that mean only the blower is running ...
Water Heater	10/5/2008
Q: Our gas water heater recently took a turn for the worse. The pilot light went out, and wouldn't ... A: Lisa, Your question is a bit misleading when you say "now won't relight" I assume you mean the pilot ...
Intertherm	10/4/2008
Q: I have a newer Intertherm gas furnace. I just purchased the home and I do not have any books on the ... A: Karen, I don't have literature for looking up model numbers. Do you know what type of furnace it is ...
cracked heat exchange	10/4/2008
Q: Mr. Barnhart, re: Armstrong UltraSX 80 forced air unit model no. GUJ150D20 We had a home fire ... A: Gina, Any amount of heat from any source outside of your units heat exchanger that might be hot ...
Replacing Gas Furnace	10/3/2008
Q: I have a Carrier gas heating/electric cooling unit that I had installed in 1993 for my 1500 sf home. ... A: Margaret. There are a lot of furnaces and air conditioning units that I installed in the 1960's ...
240/24v transformers, contactor coil OHMS	10/3/2008
Q: What is typical resistance reading for pri/sec of 240/24v transformer, and resistance of the ... A: Nolan, The heating side of your unit which includes the blower is powered by 110/120 volt circuit. ...
Lennox P21	10/3/2008
Q: I just moved into a home and thought my furnace was working... was I wrong. The furnace is a Lennox ... A: Jamie, The LED flashing light usually flashes after the furnace fails like maybe it will flash four ...
Lennox P21	10/3/2008
Q: I just moved into a home and thought my furnace was working... was I wrong. The furnace is a Lennox ... A: Jamie, If your getting a blinking light you need to count the blinks in succession after the the ...
240/24v transformers, contactor coil OHMS	10/3/2008
Q: What is typical resistance reading for pri/sec of 240/24v transformer, and resistance of the ... A: Nolan, I don't know what kind of unit you have sitting on your roof? Are you talking self contained ...
HARD START	10/3/2008
Q: RECENTLY INSTALLED A NEW GOODMAN 14 SEER AC WITH NEW GAS FURNACE. I DID INSTALL AND CALLED HVAC GUY ... A: David, The HVAC guy's charge was un-reasonable but he's right inline with the rest of price gougers ...
Coil Replacement	10/1/2008
Q: I have just had a new forced air furnce installed and the it trips out on high limit. The installers ... A: Mike, What do you mean "it trips out on high limit"? The cooling coil shouldn't have anything to do ...
Air Conditioning and Room Ventilation	10/1/2008
Q: My husband wants me to keep our kid's bedroom doors open during the night while the air conditioner ... A: Honey, Your husband is right about "the closed doors do not allow the air to circulate" but only in ...
New AC system...	9/30/2008
Q: I have a new system, which is a Lennox system with a single speed airhandler and a single speed ... A: Greg, I have no idea what your duct system is? There are different ways of installing zone systems. ...
Bryant Indoor Coil leak	9/30/2008
Q: My 17 yo Bryant HVAC unit has been diagnosed with a leak in the Indoor Coil. How much does it ... A: Harry, A little coil costs less then a big coil, A coil in a two foot crawl space or attic takes ...
Humidity!!!	9/29/2008
Q: I have recently noticed a huge increase in humidity in my bedroom in my home. There is a bathroom ... A: Nicole, If your home is open to the outside atmosphere then your most likely to have the same ...
Humidity!!!	9/29/2008
Q: I have recently noticed a huge increase in humidity in my bedroom in my home. There is a bathroom ... A: Nicole, I don't know anything about your home heating system except it's electric. I don't know ...
A/C Problem	9/29/2008
Q: We had our compressor replaced about 3 years ago and I am worried that it may broken again. Last ... A: Lynn, I often wonder when people say " our unit quit blowing cold air" if they mean it quit blowing ...
Manual for a Tempstar NNAC 100BHBI	9/29/2008
Q: I bought the above furnace recently from a friend who was going to put it in his house a number of ... A: Ken, I don't have anything for looking up what type of fan control they put in a "Tempstar NNAC ...
Air Conditioner Compressors	9/28/2008
Q: I have a 1989 Bryant 21/2 Ton Air Conditioner with a heater on the units compressor. The compressor ... A: Denny Koste, I don't have a library for accessing "1989 Bryant 21/2 Ton Air Conditioner" much less a ...
Adding a variable/multi-speed motor to an existing Electric Furnace	9/28/2008
Q: Would there be any energy cost savings by adding a variable or multi-speed fan motor to an existing ... A: Kim, Check the wiring diagram on your furnace. You may already have a two or more speed motor. The ...
HVAC Split system air VS air handler	9/28/2008
Q: Having odor in home . Air seems wet. Drain working and water is flowing out as normal.A/C serviced ... A: Alan, Condensation from the cooling coil is the only source of wet associated with your system. The ...
Goodman A/C with H-coil not cooling! AGAIN!!	9/27/2008
Q: I'm so frustrated right now!!! We have only lived in this (brand new when purchased) house for 2.5 ... A: Nicole, I Don't think it would cause your compressor to give out but I do think it would cause ...
Goodman A/C with H-coil not cooling! AGAIN!!	9/27/2008
Q: I'm so frustrated right now!!! We have only lived in this (brand new when purchased) house for 2.5 ... A: Nicole, It sounds more like the people who installed the unit and the people who have been servicing ...
Gui series central air heating	9/26/2008
Q: Jim, First attempt to start heating this season. Fan works. A/C works. But no light of. The fan ... A: Bob, Are you saying that the vent exhaust fan starts and runs, the igniter glows and lights the ...
Large window airconditioner	9/26/2008
Q: If you leave a window air conditioner on its side will it work my son says it won't. A: Michelle. Your son is correct. You should never allow any type of refrigeration equipment to be in ...
A/C Unit replacement	9/25/2008
Q: Both my in and outside A/C units are a Trane put in around 1995. The coils are leaking in the ... A: Maia, Sounds like a pressurized sales pitch. There are thousands and thousands of homes with much ...
Goodman A/C with H-coil not cooling! AGAIN!!	9/24/2008
Q: I'm so frustrated right now!!! We have only lived in this (brand new when purchased) house for 2.5 ... A: Nicole, None of what your telling me makes any sense as far as what you say is happening. A cooling ...
a/c compressor coils are smashed	9/24/2008
Q: Kids did it with a Basketball. One side is pretty smashed, the other not great. I tried to use a ... A: George, I think a pressure washer would just make things worse. There are fin combs but I never ...
Heil SP80 furnace wiring...	9/23/2008
Q: Okay, I'm a fool. I removed and replaced the induction motor/blower in my Heil SP80 furnace, but did ... A: Doug, You know what? I do thinks like that, don't bother to mark or write down where the wires go on ...
Rheem Heat pump	9/23/2008
Q: I have a 5ton unit in my house and it sounds like the blower(inside unit) pulses when it running it ... A: Charles, I assume your air handler is compatible with a 5 ton unit? Check the filter, Check for ...
Buzzing sound and lights dimming	9/22/2008
Q: My coil was replaced due to excessive leaking. The homewarranty company ordered a replacement part ... A: Steve, I don't know what your attic unit is? You didn't describe, furnace, heat pump or cooling ...
Buzzing sound and lights dimming	9/22/2008
Q: My coil was replaced due to excessive leaking. The homewarranty company ordered a replacement part ... A: Steve, There is nothing that I know of with a cooling coil that will "buzz" and dim the lights? The ...
do I need to replace A coils?	9/18/2008
Q: We have a Goodman AC (Model# ARUF06100A1B Serial #0509030661)and it's just under 3(three years old. ... A: Amy, Are the two returns under the unit also 22x22, filter grills, no reduction in size from grill ...
Armstrong furnace-fan blower problem	9/17/2008
Q: I have an Armstrong furnace in my home that is five years old. The fan will come on in any mode ... A: Marty When your thermostat is in the cooling mode the fan/blower comes on at the same time that the ...
tfh22pr refridgerator	9/17/2008
Q: I have a GE profile TFH22PR fridge. I was getting hice on the lower left side of the coils behind ... A: Dan, On my bio page it say's no kitchen appliances. The reason being is that you know more about it ...
Sewer backed up in house/air ducts are full	9/17/2008
Q: How do I remove the sewer water and contamination from my air ducts? They are under the house, in ... A: Esther, You need to call a furnace duct cleaning service, beware of "shysters". Also you might want ...
heating/cooling works fine but old	9/17/2008
Q: Got call to clean my furnace for $25. I thought that was cheap. Said they would not touch it that it ... A: Diane, First of all don't let any of these type of "Shysters" in your house. Your lucky they didn't ...
do I need to replace A coils?	9/17/2008
Q: We have a Goodman AC (Model# ARUF06100A1B Serial #0509030661)and it's just under 3(three years old. ... A: Amy, What dose your unit Do? "The coils were freezing up", what dose that mean? "were freezing up", ...
Compressor Unit Not Working	9/16/2008
Q: My outside Lennox AC unit is not working. It is 3 years old and have never had any issues with it ... A: Erica, The inside unit is on a 110 breaker, the outside unit is on a 220 breaker. The outside unit ...
Whole House Air....Blower doesn't come on	9/16/2008
Q: I have a Goodman (Janitrol) Model GMP 075-3 revision A. It is 10 years old. The blower will not come ... A: Jack, Use an electrical tester. The thermostat depending on the mode setting sends power to the fan ...
asbestos	9/16/2008
Q: Hope you can give me a little information. Had our air ducts cleaned today and they told me that ... A: Jennifer. I don't know exactly what they they are seeing. Asbestos as far as I know is only harmful ...
cracked heat exchanger	9/16/2008
Q: I was told that my furnance has a cracked heat exchanger. when I call for heat the pilot comes on, ... A: William, What's a "cross over igniter"? I don't know exactly what your furnaces configuration is as ...
Insulating furnace duct work	9/16/2008
Q: I have cold air returns in my attic to my furnace which is on the main floor. The furnace is a down ... A: George, I would be concerned about the return air ducts in the attic and not even consider the ducts ...
domestic hot water	9/15/2008
Q: We have been using our 44 year old oil furnace to heat our hot water (coil in furnace - no storage ... A: Philip, I have no idea what you pay for utilities in your area? Where I live nat.gas is the ...
Evaporator coil freezing up	9/15/2008
Q: I have a Rheem central a/c system installed when house was built in '92. Yesterday I replaced the ... A: Frustrated, An air handler used for a heat pump should have at least a two speed blower motor. Low ...
Armstrong furnace-fan blower problem	9/15/2008
Q: I have an Armstrong furnace in my home that is five years old. The fan will come on in any mode ... A: Marty, Maybe stick an amp probe on the motor wire and see what it's drawing? The premature shut down ...
TRANE TWE037E13FB1 and 2TWX4036A1000AA	9/15/2008
Q: I have a Trane model number TWE037E13FB1 air handler and a Trane model 2TWX4036A1000AA heat pump. ... A: Daniel, "Too much chlorine in the air"?, "new mechanic"? What dose that all mean? I don't know what ...
Crawlspace Heater in NH	9/15/2008
Q: I have a weekend home in the chilly white mountains of NH. I have a crawlspace where town water ... A: Rich, Stick one or two of those electric baseboard heaters down in the crawl space with a ...
HVAC	9/14/2008
Q: We lived in Arizona and we just have a new whole system installed about 3 weeks ago (Trane xl14i) ... A: Winston, Call the Technician. If your air conditioning is working, cooling as it should it's going ...
Converting from LP to Natural Gas	9/14/2008
Q: I have a 20 year old Carrier furnace model 58GP it has a ESSEX Model 242 control valve no electronic ... A: Andrew, Try this web site. ...
Evaporator coil freezing up	9/14/2008
Q: I have a Rheem central a/c system installed when house was built in '92. Yesterday I replaced the ... A: Frustrated, I don't know how much cooling you have or what exactly your "central a/c system" ...
Air return vents	9/14/2008
Q: Since our reno over a year ago I have sometimes noticed what I thought was a faint smell of natural ... A: Jane, Your not saying what you have exactly but best I can tell from your question is that it's a ...
A/c trips breaker, now won't turn on at all	9/13/2008
Q: I have an old Lennox a/c unit outside. Often I would have to go outside to flip the breaker (near ... A: Jason, I don't know what the problem is? I don't know what the inside unit is? is it just "air ...
ac vent air velocity	9/13/2008
Q: what air velocity should I have at each vent ANSWER: John, If your blower is 1000 CFM and you have ... A: John, Your air handler has a squrril cage blower wheel and a motor to driver it. The blower ...
ac vent air velocity	9/13/2008
Q: what air velocity should I have at each vent A: John, If your blower is 1000 CFM and you have 1 "vent" the "velocity" should be 1000 CFM minus the ...
New AC / Heating System	9/12/2008
Q: "Hi There, I have a home that was built in 1977 in southern California. The Evaporator cooler is ... A: Ike, Payne, Bryent and Carrier all are made on the same assembly line, I have toured the the factory ...
Trane AC Unit	9/12/2008
Q: My inside unit has a lot of condensation all over it and inside the closet and is also leaking water ... A: Marian, The drain line and the drip pan beed to be open so that the condensate water that they ...
New AC / Heating System	9/12/2008
Q: "Hi There, I have a home that was built in 1977 in southern California. The Evaporator cooler is ... A: Ike, Did you mean the cooling coil drip pan was leaking, stopped up or overflowing, Payne is a good ...
pilot will not light	9/12/2008
Q: the pilot lighter in my hot water heater will not stay on. there is no leaks in or around the ... A: Andrew, I don't know what type of pilot light set up your water heater has or exactly how your ...
drip pan on 1991 rheem coil	9/12/2008
Q: can you replace the drip pan if its rusted through.propane furnace in basement.Mines also leaking ... A: Bret, With a basement model furnace and an "A" coil the drip pan is built onto the coil as part of ...
Warm air coming out of floor vents in manufactured home with Coleman Central Air unit	9/12/2008
Q: Could you please give me any information you may have on this matter and thank you in advance for ... A: Lori, The description "Coleman Central Air Unit" covers a lot of different type units? Do you have a ...
inside freon leak	9/11/2008
Q: I have been told that I have an inside freon leak and that my coil needs to be replaced. Is it ... A: Cynthia, All freon leaks don't come from the same type of equipment, component, etc. All drip pans ...
Finishing an unfinished basement	9/11/2008
Q: I live in a 4 year old, two story house in Birmingham, Alabama and am finishing the back part of my ... A: Jeremy, You can install one or more registers in the main trunk line. Basements don't have a lot of ...
Location of condensers reguarding flue exhaust	9/11/2008
Q: I can't seem to find an answer to how far an exhaust vent from a condensing gas boiler needs to be ... A: Mike, I'm not sure what you mean by "condensing gas boiler" what is it used for? I wouldn't think ...
Condensate Pump	9/11/2008
Q: The ac condensate pump (Flotec 15UL) was running but the motor fan wasn't going. It was running ... A: Lisa, The condensate pump is independent of the furnace,heat pump, air handler, What ever that unit ...
Trane condensate drain + outdoor unit	9/10/2008
Q: I have a Trane a/c unit in my basement that stopped blowing cold air. I noticed that the outdoor ... A: Raj, What your saying is that "The PVC pipe leads to the furnace unit in the basement" " The PVC ...
furnace-a/c in mobile home	9/10/2008
Q: I moved into a mobile home three weeks ago. I am a 68-year-old widow and have never lived in a ... A: Lanie, I'm sure that you can find a thermostat that suits your needs? I don't know what you have for ...
Rectangle dampers	9/10/2008
Q: 1970s duct work straight off the main supply is rectangular, their runs are shorter, and there are ... A: Steve, The damper hardware that sticks out of your ducts are called "damper quadrants", The threaded ...
gas furnace blower motor always on	9/10/2008
Q: blower motor came on by itself during a lightning storm and will not shut off. thermostat working ... A: Sherry, The motor only runs when the electric power is on 110 volts of electricity, the motor stops ...
leakage and failing to come on	9/9/2008
Q: yes i have a problem with my inside unit which is in a closet. it is a furnace and it leaks out onto ... A: Karon, Are you saying that you have gas fired furnace with an air conditioning cooling coil attached ...
Air Handler Fan Keeps Running	9/8/2008
Q: I have an 18 year old heating/AC system. Recently I've experienced a problem with the blower fan ... A: Bob, You need to follow the electric wires that go into the motor back until you come to a control ...
Air Handler Fan Keeps Running	9/8/2008
Q: I have an 18 year old heating/AC system. Recently I've experienced a problem with the blower fan ... A: Bob, There is a blower relay in the air handler that controls turning the blower on and off, I don't ...
Rheem 3ton split system R-410A	9/8/2008
Q: My A/C went down yesterday, and I called the company I have a maintenance contract with. They said ... A: Lisa, I don't understand your question? You already made the deal. You say you had a maintenance ...
red emergency light coming on when A/C is on	9/7/2008
Q: Why is this happening? I had an A/C man come out, the compressor would not come on so he installed ... A: Sharon, What I was saying is, that's all you are telling me "the emergency heat red light is on when ...
Rudd A?C Condensate overflow	9/7/2008
Q: I have a Rudd A/C and Gas hot air furnace. Today we found over 16 gal of water on the basement ... A: Mike, I assume you have an "A" type cooling coil sitting on top of an up-flow furnace? There is a ...
Thermocouple for water heater	9/7/2008
Q: What is the purpose of thermocouple in water hearter. A: Ray, When you light the pilot you have to hold the pilot gas valve open manually, the flame from the ...
A/C replacement cost	9/6/2008
Q: I have a 20yr old air conditioner and electric heat. I am looking at replacing it with a premium ... A: Patric, I'll bet you couldn't a get guesstimate over the phone where some one could have a question ...
A coil	9/6/2008
Q: Our insurance agent told us that even if our 10 SEER Amana air conditioner must be replaced ... A: Frank, I don't know about "detail" but here go's. The outside unit is called a condensing unit, it ...
replacing central air conditioner	9/6/2008
Q: After 30 years of carefree use, my Carrier central air unit crashed. I am looking to replace the ... A: Susan, I don't know what your "central air unit" is exactly, if it's a self contained unit or a ...
Bryant Model 394DAC0001008 SERIES BAA	9/6/2008
Q: Gas Furnace about 30 years old with pilot light. Turn thermostat up, burners ignite and blower ... A: John I considered what you said the cause was but then I rejected it becuse you said the furnace was ...
HOT WATER TANK DRAINING	9/4/2008
Q: IS there a standard preventive maintenance requirement to drain,at regular intervals, my natural gas ... A: Ken, Your water heater tank by way of a tube inside fills from the bottom up. Any type of sediment ...
variable speed furnaces	9/4/2008
Q: I am purchasing a new furnace and like the idea of a variable speed motor for comfort and savings. ... A: Kurt, I don't know what savings there are in a variable speed motor. I think the end resultes is the ...
Air conditioner condensate leaking/plugged	9/3/2008
Q: I've got a 7-year old furnace. The drain line on the air conditioner condensate won't always drain ... A: Eric, The condensate drain should be 3/4? Whoever installed the PVC reduced it down to 1/2". The ...
NEW AC needed or not?	9/3/2008
Q: here is my situation. I recently bought a 30+ years old condo in west LA. 2/2 1100 sq ft currently ... A: Betty, Fiberglass duct's can last a life time, it all depends on what shape/condition they are in. ...
Rheem 3ton split system R-410A	9/3/2008
Q: My A/C went down yesterday, and I called the company I have a maintenance contract with. They said ... A: Lisa, If your already in the process of having a new AC installed I think your kind of shutting the ...
NEW AC needed or not?	9/3/2008
Q: here is my situation. I recently bought a 30+ years old condo in west LA. 2/2 1100 sq ft currently ... A: Betty, I assume that you have to do your option #1 regardless? I have no idea of what all is ...
Air conditioner condensate leaking/plugged	9/3/2008
Q: I've got a 7-year old furnace. The drain line on the air conditioner condensate won't always drain ... A: Eirc, Cooling coils with built on drip pans are not part of a furnace but rather optional add on's, ...
Furnaces	9/2/2008
Q: Jim,I am ready to replace an old furnace with a 90+% efficient one. The house is a 1330 sq. ft. ... A: JoAnn. I never could understand the benefit of a two stage furnace? I think if you want to heat ...
leak in evaporation cell	9/1/2008
Q: I purchased a home warranty program 8/11 which also included undetectable pre existing conditions. ... A: Lisa, Deal directley with the extended warrenty company. Take them to small claims court if you have ...
A/C unit	8/31/2008
Q: Jim, I have an outside unit that is making a loud noise once it clicks on. It still cooling and ... A: Tony, If I were there where I could hear and see the unit I would open the casing and try to pin ...
Non-Cental VHAC Options	8/29/2008
Q: I have a 2 story house that includes 4 rooms in the upstairs and 4 rooms down stairs. My technician ... A: Chris, Dose the lack of crawl space mean no crawl space like your house is on a cement slab or dose ...
AC	8/29/2008
Q: last year we got a whole new airhandler and heat pump on our old ducts. The old system never seemed ... A: Don, Your air conditioner should be able to cool the area twenty degrees below the outside ...
Condensation from AV	8/29/2008
Q: Pan under AC unit in attic keeps filling up with water. Some rust. Drained w/dry vac a week ago. ... A: Paula, Your not getting whatever it is cleaned out of the drain line/lines. The pan under the AC ...
Furnace suggestions.	8/29/2008
Q: My wife and I are looking to replace our furnace and are looking for recommendations. Our current ... A: Jeff, Why don't you check the rating plate on your furnace and see exactly what the rating is, it ...
AC upgade	8/28/2008
Q: I have a 23 year old house with the original ac system. I have been asking local ac companies on ... A: Travis, A 3,5 ton inside and out takes a 3/4 & 3/8 so no proublem there. For an even bigger capacity ...
Furnace, AC and filters	8/27/2008
Q: Jim, I was wondering which furnace brand (Lennox, Carrier or Trane) to focus on and saw your ... A: Rob, First the filter. I don't know where your furnace is installed and how difficult it is to ...
ac compressor out twice	8/27/2008
Q: I have a 4 ton inside/outside unit with gas heater that is about 15 years old. The compressor went ... A: Scott, Having a compressor go bad before it's time happens. Having a compressor go bad the day after ...
American Standard freedom 80 single stage - not sucking in air to cool it	8/26/2008
Q: Hey Jim, We had a power outage two nights ago and our air has not been right since. I turned the ... A: Jacky, Sounds like your cooling coil inside is frozen/iced up? I have no Idea where your unit is ...
American Standard freedom 80 single stage - not sucking in air to cool it	8/26/2008
Q: Hey Jim, We had a power outage two nights ago and our air has not been right since. I turned the ... A: Jacky, I don't understand the question? First I don't have a library where I can research an ...
Heat Pump Needs Replacing	8/26/2008
Q: My heat pump needs replacing. I heard something vague about waiting until next year when models ... A: Victor, Nothing new coming next year that you can't get now. refrigerant in 2010 will be of a ...
Blower fan squeeking?	8/26/2008
Q: I have an older unit. Forced hot air/AC. We KNOW it will need replacing soon. We recently had it ... A: Eric, I can't see your blower assembly but the most likely scenario is that the motor pulley is a 3" ...
Blower fan squeeking?	8/26/2008
Q: I have an older unit. Forced hot air/AC. We KNOW it will need replacing soon. We recently had it ... A: Eric, You never did describe what it is that your having a problem with? Are you talking about a gas ...
Ac drain pan in Condo	8/25/2008
Q: Here we go. I thank you in advance. So I live in a condo and came home yesterday to the ac off. Went ... A: Justin, I still don't know what your condensate removal set up is? Everybody doesn't have the same ...
A/C Unit Replacement	8/25/2008
Q: Jim, My 10 year old bryant 3 1/2 ton A/c units compressor has just quit on me. I am being informed ... A: Roy, Your not telling me what you've got? If you have a split system the outside unit is a ...
GAS HOT WATER HEATER AND GAS FURNACE	8/25/2008
Q: FIRE MARSHALL SAID THAT I NEED A SEDIMENT TRAP OR DRIP LEG INSTALLED ON MY HOT WATER HEATER AND ... A: Glenda, Check this web site-http://www.contractorssolutions.com/Information/WaterHeaters.htm The ...
Ac drain pan in Condo	8/25/2008
Q: Here we go. I thank you in advance. So I live in a condo and came home yesterday to the ac off. Went ... A: Justin, I'm not sure what your set up is? Everybody.installers don't due things the same way. Your ...
Air Handler fan not turning on....	8/24/2008
Q: With the thermostat on "cool" our condenser "TRANE" turns on outside and the fan blows cool air. ... A: Emanuele, Is there electric power from the electric service source to the air handler? Is there ...
Intertherm outside part of central A/C unit	8/24/2008
Q: Outside unit of A/C has been squealing for about a month (seems like fan). Prior to that wire to ... A: Pam, I don't know which type of unit you have? I don't know where the unit is hot to the touch? I ...
appropriate duct for a 4500 cfm Mastercool.	8/24/2008
Q: I'd like to put a side discharge 3/4 horse Mastercool on a pad on the side of my house and run ... A: Alex, I have no idea what your doing exactly but then if your question is simply what type material ...
Condensate waste from air conditioning unit	8/23/2008
Q: Our house was built in 2003 (finished in Oct.). We have two York Split System air conditioners. ... A: Susan, I have no idea what goes on in El Paso? If your not satisfied with the discharge situation ...
Duct Capping	8/23/2008
Q: Is "taping off" the end of a duct considered a proper way to cap a duct? A company(not the original ... A: Kirstin, The picture is difficult for me to see what really was or is? It look's like a "T" or a "Y" ...
Did builder give me a bad A/C unit?	8/22/2008
Q: I closed on my home 12/31/2003 (brand new, 2 story, 1600 sqft). Since then, at least twice per year ... A: Candace, I really don't know what you have? "AC unit" covers a lot of different types of equipment. ...
which brand	8/21/2008
Q: I have had carrier, lenox, and trane in to give me a price on a new furnace. Is one brand better ... A: Linda, The three brands you mentioned are big name brands, you pay for the name and you help send ...
Ameristar furnace	8/21/2008
Q: Having Ameristar furnace installed in our home by a very shady company ,too late to do much now but ... A: Vickie, Asking what an "Ameristar" furnace costs is like asking how much a house costs, There are to ...
Trane xb condensing unit coil clearnaces	8/21/2008
Q: I would like to know the idea coil clearance from a home to properly mount a Trane xb 12 condensing ... A: Michael, Since I don't keep a down to the nitty gritty specifications on a "Trane xb 12 condensing ...
NEW HVAC	8/20/2008
Q: I just purchased a new HVAC system made by AirEase. I purchased from dealer direct place and w/ no ... A: Christian, There are a a couple of different ways that different manufactures do things. I don't ...
Duo Therm Roof Air-compressor won't shut off	8/19/2008
Q: We are having problems with our Duo therm roof air on our travel trailer. This has been happening ... A: Roz, Disconnect the wires from the thermostat, twist the wire that was on R to the wire that was on ...
Installation of Honeywell Programmable Thermostat with Bryant Puron HVAC Syster	8/19/2008
Q: I have purchased the Honeywell 7-day Programmable Thermostat, Model # RTH7500, to install for my ... A: Mary Sue: The simple answer is R is the electric power source. The power is connected to Rc and Rh, ...
Buzzing noise in or around furnace	8/18/2008
Q: Jim, I have a problem I'd never heard of before. The loud (tho not really audible in living area) ... A: Rob, If there is no power going to the furnace the furnace won't buzz or make a noise of any ...
air conditioner drip diversion	8/17/2008
Q: I need to divert the drip from an upstairs window air conditioner about 2 feet..I made a door from a ... A: Elaine, I don't do window air conditioners but as I recall they usually have just one hole in the ...
Rhem condensor	8/17/2008
Q: I have a Rheam condenser that is not working properly. Our house recently was struck by lightening ... A: Jeff, I'm not sure what your concern's are exactly? The part about "when I hit the reset bottom on ...
A/C Stopped cooling and no ice build up	8/16/2008
Q: Our A/C stopped cooling at some point yesterday (System is about 5 years old). I checked the inside ... A: Matt, When your low on refringent the unit will act exactly like you said it was acting. I think the ...
Little Air Coming Out, Furnace Leaking	8/16/2008
Q: A couple of weeks ago, our furnace (Refrigerant Evaporator) started leaking whenever the A/C was ... A: Jason, It sounds to me like your cooling coil is freezing blocking the air flow, that maybe the ...
Ruud Super quiet Achiever 80	8/16/2008
Q: Jim, I purchased a brand new furnace ruud quiet 80 and it runs wonderfule with the exception of ... A: John, I don't know what what you have for a cooling coil? I don't know what you mean by "coil box ...
Uneven home cooling and heating	8/15/2008
Q: I live in a one story 2100 s.f. track home where the difference in temerature from one end of the ... A: Eric, Air as it travels encounters resistance, the longer the run and the more bends and turns it ...
Rheem vs. Trane	8/15/2008
Q: I'm in Phoenix and have a ranch style house 1800 sqft and will be adding a 500 sqft master addition. ... A: Ben, I don't think there is any difference in manufacturers of residential heating and cooling ...
Lennox G40UH(X) Gas Furnace	8/14/2008
Q: I have the referenced gas furnace with Honeywell T8001 tstat that is 4 1/2 years old and has been ... A: Comp, Assuming your talking about heating only (not air conditioning). Disconnect the R wire and the ...
Uneven home cooling and heating	8/14/2008
Q: I live in a one story 2100 s.f. track home where the difference in temerature from one end of the ... A: Eric, If the supply ducts to each room/area are of the proper size and the unit has enough CFM ...
A/C on the third floor	8/14/2008
Q: I have essentially a two story house with a third floor room. When the second floor was expanded ... A: Malf, If you want to cool or heat an area you need to suck the air out of the area, pass the air ...
Wattage of and electric furnace	8/13/2008
Q: My neighbor wants to put in an electric furnace and was told that it would draw 35,000 watts. Is ... A: Darrell. Where I live it costs four to five times more to heat a house with electricity then it dose ...
ac	8/13/2008
Q: I have no power go ing to my digital totaline thermostat. I checked the cir/ breaker.... Its fine ... A: Melanie: I understand that you have a totaline thermostat! What I need to know is what is the type ...
honeywell R8182D relay	8/12/2008
Q: i am installing 2taco571-2 zone valves which showes an external step down power transformer ... A: Don, I don't know what you have? I don't keep a library for referencing model numbers and examining ...
Convert Weil Mclain oil boiler to gas	8/11/2008
Q: I currently have an older (40 years) weil mclain oil boiler used for steam heat. Our oil tank is ... A: Geoff, You can get a natural gas conversion burner set up for around $1,000. I don't know where you ...
Thermostat setting	8/10/2008
Q: Please settle a dispute, I believe you should set the thermostat for heating/cooling to a stable ... A: Sharon. I have to agree with you. I think it best to set the thermostat to a comfortable setting and ...
High efficiency natural gas furnace	8/10/2008
Q: I'm removing an old oil system and installing a high efficiency natural gas forced air furnace. I'm ... A: George, The BTU's you want or need for heating or cooling determin the sise of the unit, the unit ...
Air Conditioning Compressor Replacement	8/9/2008
Q: I have a 1997 Trane-3 Ton Heat Pump installed. Recently, I was told by an AC repairman that the ... A: Rita, You may want to get a different opinion from a different AC tech? What he's telling you sounds ...
R22 freon vs puron system	8/9/2008
Q: The R22 freon is not going to be available soon. Why wouldn't one prefer a puron system then? You ... A: Dameron, I think that when R22 is no longer available that there are several refrigerant ...
a/c replacement	8/8/2008
Q: I live in Fort Worth. Our a/c wasn't cooling properly, a technician came out and looked at it, ... A: Kay: "Your AC has leaks" is one of the best diagnosis for a technician to get into your life ...
a/c replacement	8/8/2008
Q: I live in Fort Worth. Our a/c wasn't cooling properly, a technician came out and looked at it, ... A: Kay: The whole thing sounds "fishy" to me. There is more to sizing then just square feet, What size ...
Blower problems	8/7/2008
Q: My unit was freezing up. You said you felt like I did everything right except I didn't let it unthaw ... A: Corey: The " small box in the floor with a pipe and hoses coming out of it is also plugs into the ...
Locating the Permanent Filter on the Rheem	8/7/2008
Q: Have a Rheem Furnace/Air Conditioner in my condo. The unit has a permanent filter that needs to be ... A: Judith, All units have a place for a filter inside the blower compartment cover of the unit. An ...
Blower problems	8/7/2008
Q: My unit was freezing up. You said you felt like I did everything right except I didn't let it unthaw ... A: Corey, When your thermostat calls for cooling the outside unit and the inside blower should start ...
Replacing home heating system	8/7/2008
Q: My 54 year old house was heated with a dual sided wall heater which finally died. I could replace ... A: Leslie, Common sense tell's you that it's going to be very hot at the source of where the heat ...
Air Conditioner	8/6/2008
Q: We just had a replacement 13 Sere unit in and out (the old unit was 8 Sere). Our house is 1150 ... A: Tom, With an 1150 square foot house You need at least two ton's of cooling and maybe 2-1/2 tons to ...
Heat Pump as effective as Central Air?	8/6/2008
Q: An elementaryis a heat pump functionally the same as a central air unit in terms of cooling? I know ... A: Dave, I don't know what your options are as far as fuel for heating? Where I live it costs 4 to 5 ...
A/C LOW FREON	8/6/2008
Q: Do you recommend running your air condition all night even after heavy condensation has caused ... A: Adam, I have no idea where "bedroom area", "small closet in living room" is in relationship to "air ...
Honeywell RTH3100C thermostat	8/6/2008
Q: Did you get your t-stat wiring resolved? I am trying to wire my AC (w/heat pump) to the same ... A: Bob, I can't help, you have to follow the wiring diagram with the air handler, inside blower ...
Which central AC condenser is better?	8/5/2008
Q: I need to have my 4-ton condenser unit replaced. I've received 2 quotes from 2 different companies ... A: John, I think Heil is as good as Payne, If they are both the same size, 4 ton and both 13 SEER I ...
Gas floor furnace	8/4/2008
Q: My concern: I just bought an old home (1930's) and the owner stated that this house is on it's 2nd ... A: Linda, I can't advise you about Louisiana, Prices and building code's are different from coast to ...
Lennox Central Air Unit	8/4/2008
Q: My 3 year old Lennox Central air unit is tripping the breaker after it runs for about 20 minutes. ... A: Lisa, There are many diffrent types of units that fit the discription of "Central air unit"? You ...
xl14i heat pump-trane	8/3/2008
Q: Been having problems with unit for 3 yr.Its trane variable speed 3 ton, heat comes out not hot or ... A: John, The larger line ( given a few minutes to run and cool) should be cold near freezing to the ...
hi	8/3/2008
Q: Please answer wat u can Having electrical problems in my apt and thinking of buying an rv or motor ... A: Jan, About the only way a person could live in a motor home using it for a permanent residence is to ...
ac noise	8/3/2008
Q: We have a brand new Goodman model DSC130361DE 3 ton acu. It is located right outside our bedroom. ... A: Janice, Not being able to hear the noise it's hard to try and diagnose the cause. Like hearing a dog ...
HVAC Venting	8/3/2008
Q: I am in the process of purchasing my first home. The city requires an inspection, so the inspector ... A: Tina, You didn't say where your furnace is installed? attic, basement, closet, or other. I'm ...
A/C Moisture Problem	8/2/2008
Q: Mr. Barnhart, I have a manufactured home with a 3.5 ton downflow system. I recently noticed a long ... A: Donnie, Your drip pan simply is not draining. The drip pan is only about 2" deep or less it is like ...
evacuating refrigerant lines. Always necessary?	8/2/2008
Q: I am considering buying a mini split system AC and heat pump. Several sellers of these units say you ... A: Edwin, I did a bit of researching after I read your question. You can type in "Pre-charged split ...
evacuating refrigerant lines. Always necessary?	8/2/2008
Q: I am considering buying a mini split system AC and heat pump. Several sellers of these units say you ... A: Edwin, I have been out of the main stream of things for several years. In my day, I could buy a ...
A/C Moisture Problem	8/1/2008
Q: Mr. Barnhart, I have a manufactured home with a 3.5 ton downflow system. I recently noticed a long ... A: Donnie, I'm assuming that the unit is indoors? Where indoors I don't know, basement, first floor, ...
AC Unit	8/1/2008
Q: Good morning Jim,woke up this morning with no AC,I went outside and checked the unit,it was on and I ... A: Angelo, An A coil is two slanted sides that lean together like a pup tent or an a frame. Since you ...
AC Unit	8/1/2008
Q: Good morning Jim,woke up this morning with no AC,I went outside and checked the unit,it was on and I ... A: Angelo, I don't know what or where your unit is, what the degree of access is etc. but it sounds ...
Rheem A/C Unit	8/1/2008
Q: Mr. Barnhart, I have a Rheem A/C unit that was installed in 2004 - it should still be under the five ... A: Shelly, Your warranty covers what ever your warranty says in writing. Verbal warranty's mean ...
8 yr old a/c not cooling!	8/1/2008
Q: We live in CA we first experienced this problem last summer. The serviceman came and added more ... A: Ester, If your loosing freon there is a leak. Units don't use up freon it needs to leak out or be ...
Problems with new units installed...please help	8/1/2008
Q: I recently installed Goodman central a/c units.. a 5 ton 13 Seer outside unit and new evaporator ... A: Doreen, I don't know air conditioning people in the Houston area, can't help you there. This doesn't ...
a/c window unit	7/31/2008
Q: It is very humid where we live and "slime" keeps accumulating in the unit and plugging the drain ... A: Sheron, I don't know what the slime thing is? I have no idea what your drain set up is? I have no ...
AC Quit	7/31/2008
Q: I came home to a very warm home yesterday. My AC was not running at all. I tried to reset the ... A: Mizzie, Sounds like your not getting any low voltage/24 volt electric power to the control system? ...
HVAC	7/31/2008
Q: I had a Bryant Evolution split package installed- a five ton 698B heat pump outside, auxillary heat ... A: Ted, The cooling thing sounds like you still are low on refrigerant. There could be small tiny ...
Bad Compressor or other problem?	7/30/2008
Q: I built a house 7.5 years ago, and the builder put in a 1999 Goodman. My AC is no longer cooling ... A: Christina, When the thermostat calls for cooling the inside blower, the outside condenser fan and ...
Diffusers & Grills	7/30/2008
Q: Greetings! My HVAC contractor has just finished installing ductwork inside my Studio in my ... A: Stanley, I don't know exactly what you have going but you definitely need to have all your grills ...
Heater exhaust vent	7/29/2008
Q: I am going to remodel my upstairs bathroom. Currently the exhaust vent from my gas water heater and ... A: Ken, The vent pipe should be a double wall type "B" vent pipe. The vent pipe needs to be 1" away ...
Squirrel Cage Blower for a Singer Furnace (1970's)	7/29/2008
Q: Where can I find a Squirrel Cage Blower for my Singer Furnace? Where can I find a universal part? ... A: Jane, I buy from Johnstone Supply or W W Grainger supply both wholesalers. Your best bet is the ...
ac return makes humming noise	7/29/2008
Q: Every time I change my AC filters I always get a humming noise from the vent when I close the "ac ... A: Tookie, I don't know what an "ac gate" is? I assume the "humming" is air noise? Cheap filters are ...
Coleman Residential II Air Conditioning	7/28/2008
Q: This is a closet unit air/heat unit. Is there an air filter unit-if so where is it located? The ... A: Victor, All units have a place in the blower compartment for a filter. An installer may change the ...
suspicious roof installation?	7/28/2008
Q: We're 1st time homebuyers and considering a property that is built post-beam open frame style in ... A: Gina, I'm guessing that the original unit in the closet served the main house only? When the rear ...
MOBILE HOME AC REPAIR	7/28/2008
Q: Jim, I have a Coleman Evcon Presidental Model# MBC48DQ that will not turn on. Just stopped. I can ... A: James, from your description the outside unit is OK? The power that closes the contactor outside ...
Squirrel Cage	7/28/2008
Q: I recently replaced the motor for my Mastercool evaporative cooler with the identical motor and as I ... A: Loran, Put the cage pulley back to where it was. The pulleys need to be lined up or the belt will ...
AC drip pan filling shutting off AC unit	7/27/2008
Q: We have lived in our house for about 18months and the AC unit is approx. 5yrs old. It is a Rheem. ... A: Mickie, You need to start over. Is the problem the drip pan or is it the coil freezing? Dose the AC ...
Bad Compressor or other problem?	7/27/2008
Q: I built a house 7.5 years ago, and the builder put in a 1999 Goodman. My AC is no longer cooling ... A: Christina, Check the rating plate on your condensing unit, see what it says the full load running ...
Air Handler Water Leak	7/27/2008
Q: I have a Ducane air handler that is located in my basement. This is used only for air conditioning ... A: Mike, The lowest connection, the one with the white PVC running to the floor drain is your primary ...
Humidity High	7/27/2008
Q: I live in the Southern California city of Calabasas and just replaced a 22 year old Bryant packaged ... A: John, I don't know if there is a normal range? Refrigerated air conditioning has a natural ...
AC and Furnace replacement	7/26/2008
Q: Our forty year old Bryant AC system finally died (nicely gave warning signals for many months ... A: Chamesou, The way it works is you need 400 CFM of air movement coming out of your furnace blower for ...
AC drip pan filling shutting off AC unit	7/26/2008
Q: We have lived in our house for about 18months and the AC unit is approx. 5yrs old. It is a Rheem. ... A: Mickie, Not knowing exactly what the "unit" is and not knowing where if in the house it is installed ...
AC	7/25/2008
Q: I have an old HVAC unit in my house when we moved in June the unit would freeze up at night Then we ... A: Steven, If the unit works fine in the heat of the day I would doubt if it's a low on refrigerant ...
EPA	7/25/2008
Q: I was gonna take the Hvac certification test but my dad told me to becareful giving my social out ... A: Doug, I have no idea what they do with your "social", I don't even know who "they" are? I think your ...
Replacement for 40 yr old Central AC	7/25/2008
Q: I am in the process of replacing my reliable, but very old Lennox AC. I have received three ... A: Valerie, My thoughts: Residential Air conditioning units are equal if you compare the same ...
Air Conditoning not working	7/25/2008
Q: Amanda Central Air unit. No previous problems, cleaned regularly. Nothing identified in physical ... A: steve, If the compressor and the condenser fan both start and stop at the same time it's because the ...
New split system refrigerated a/c freezing up	7/25/2008
Q: We just had a split system refrigerated air conditioning unit installed on a 30 year old 1800 sq ft. ... A: Janis, Physical size doesn't matter but BTU size of cooling dose and it needs to be compatible with ...
Comfortmaker Furance & A/C Problem	7/24/2008
Q: I have a conventional comfortmaker a/c / furnace. Starting this summer, every time the a/c kicks ... A: Chris, I don't know what your heat is gas, heat pump or electric? You need a heating and cooling ...
AC Condensor Motor or NEW AC needed?	7/24/2008
Q: Boy am I glad I found this site. I have very small condo in Las Vegas, about 23 years old and last ... A: Cathy, I still would call Johnstone for a referral, they will tell you true, they have a nation wide ...
AC Condensor Motor or NEW AC needed?	7/24/2008
Q: Boy am I glad I found this site. I have very small condo in Las Vegas, about 23 years old and last ... A: Cathy, There are many different types and size's of air conditioning units, I don't know what you ...
House Cooling issue	7/24/2008
Q: About a week ago I noticed that the fan on the Condensing Unit was not running, and after tinkering ... A: Tye, If your condenser fan is running properly and has the proper rotation and the compressor is ...
Return Air Ducts	7/24/2008
Q: What size should the return air duct be for a 3 ton air conditioner. My home is a 1600 square foot ... A: Megan, You should have somewhere between 200 (the minimum) and 275 square inches of free area for ...
cost to convert to LP gas	7/24/2008
Q: We are looking into the possibility of converting a gas furnace to run on LP gas due to a loss of ... A: Ed, A conversion kit is around $20-$40 depending on your furnace. If you do it yourself no labor ...
No Cool Air	7/23/2008
Q: I have lived in a brand new hone for 3 years which was never lived in prior to me. I am single and ... A: Audra, If your low on freon you need to have it added by a professional technician. A clean filter ...
AC Replace or fix	7/23/2008
Q: we have 5 ton Bryant ac unit, 10 yrs old. It has a heat pump on it and the gas furnace takes over ... A: Tamara, I don't know what the price for utility's is where you live? Where I live we heat four time ...
ducting size for 2 Ton AC	7/23/2008
Q: My 887 sq. ft. condo had a 2 Ton AC installed for the first time along with the furnace (located in ... A: Jeff, I don't know what all the particulars are of your air handler? For two ton's you need 800 CFM, ...
Replace Heat Pump Condensing Unit	7/23/2008
Q: My son purchased a home recently that has a 1991 Thermastar(?) 5 ton heat pump. It failed over the ... A: John, Payne is a good unit it's an equal to Carrier. 13 seer is 20-25% percent more efficient then 9 ...
retro-fit AC system install, maintainence, quality of work	7/22/2008
Q: We had a 10 SEER Frigidaire Central AC unit and coil added to our system in the spring of 2004. Had ... A: James, What do you have in writing? If your cooling the whole 2700 square feet then you are grossly ...
ducting size for 2 Ton AC	7/22/2008
Q: My 887 sq. ft. condo had a 2 Ton AC installed for the first time along with the furnace (located in ... A: Jeff, Your question is really confusing' If you have 4-6" ducts and 1-8" duct individually coming ...
Air Conditoning not workin	7/22/2008
Q: Amanda Central Air unit. No previous problems, cleaned regularly. Nothing identified in physical ... A: Steve, If "The entire outside unit shuts off" that would include the condenser fan which is easy to ...
A/C Unit	7/22/2008
Q: Jim The power in my house went out this morning for a few hours and when it came back on my A/c ... A: Mike, The outside unit is on a separate breaker from the inside unit. The outside unit is a 220/240 ...
A/C unit leaking around furnace	7/21/2008
Q: My A/C unit (Lennox aprox 6 years old) is mounted outside at the side of the house and the furnace ... A: Jody, Your cooling coil has a built on drip pan under the coil that catches the water that ...
Gas Heater	7/20/2008
Q: I have a problem with my upstairs HVAC system in my house. The house was built in 1994 and has the ... A: Mike, When the thermostat looses power dose the blower also go off? If the thermostat looses power ...
Air Conditioning	7/20/2008
Q: I live in a 2 story apartment building on the second floor. All summer my air conditioner runs off ... A: Mike, I don't know what type of air conditioner you have? I don't know when you say "little to ...
Heat Pump Buzzing Sound	7/20/2008
Q: I have a rooftop heat pump unit. I have recently noticed that I can hear a buzzing sound coming from ... A: Suzan, It's just a nuisance if it is the transformer. There are transformers and then there are ...
Water in wall-mounted A\C unit	7/19/2008
Q: Since installation of a new wall-mounted (sleeve type) AC unit [Frigidaire 1000BTU] I have noticed a ... A: Graham, There should be a drain hole in the rear section of the unit that's sticking outside. The ...
Does this air temp sound right to you?	7/19/2008
Q: My house doesn't seem to be getting very cool, or if I set the temp to say 78, the thermostat seems ... A: Matt, Your air conditioner can only do so much, If your just cooling a closet with little or no ...
Outside air temperature vs. A/C output temperature?	7/19/2008
Q: I live in New Hampshire. My space is 1,200 sqft. I have a 3 ton central A/C unit. The air handler is ... A: John, The air passing through the evaporator cooling coil should be approximately twenty degrees ...
Changed filter now A/C won't work	7/19/2008
Q: We have a 1 and 1/2 year old Trane furnace. We changed the air filter in it, and all of the sudden ... A: Emily, The little red blinking light should be blinking a code and there should be a legend stuck on ...
central ac	7/18/2008
Q: my inside fan keeps running even though the thermo is on auto. it's an xl 1200 trane central ... A: Johny, There are hundreds of makes and models heating and cooling units, I don't keep a library for ...
puron AC	7/17/2008
Q: After going many years without air conditioning, I just got central air installed last week. The ... A: Barbra, R22 has been deemed to be bad for environment so the government is making (I think it's ...
Window A/C unit	7/17/2008
Q: I am trying to sell the unit for $75.00 it is a Fedders 12,000 btu and it is several years old. I ... A: Wendy I don't know exactly how your unit is setting when you check it out. When its running you need ...
Floor Register under my bed...	7/17/2008
Q: I have a floor register that is right under the head of my bed. Is there a quick and easy way to ... A: Matt, Probably the floor register is more efficient in the space it occupies where it is meant to ...
A/C	7/17/2008
Q: I have 20 year old split unit that I'm going to change out. I live in the desert so do I need to ... A: Jim, Not knowing anything about what size AC your using or what the Particular description of your ...
Comfortmaker Furance & A/C Problem	7/17/2008
Q: I have a conventional comfortmaker a/c / furnace. Starting this summer, every time the a/c kicks ... A: Chris, I can't help, I have no Idea what's happening? The thermostat sends power to the condensing ...
Heating	7/16/2008
Q: I have a doublewide home and get great heat in back of house but the front side doesn't blow out. I ... A: Dan, If you want to blow air into an area you have to have a means for the air that's already in the ...
adding a zone to hot air heating system	7/16/2008
Q: I put in a new furnace two years ago. Replaced a very old system that was there when I bought the ... A: Ken, For two zones you need two separate duct systems, two separate supply's,two separate returns, ...
Carrier Heat Pump	7/15/2008
Q: I have a Carrier heat pump, not sure how old it is. I came home yesterday to a warm house, the ... A: April, I think what your describing,"gray box" etc. is an electric disconnect service switch used ...
CENTRAL AIRCONDITIONING	7/15/2008
Q: I AM ABOUT TO PUT AN OFFER ON A HOUSE. IT HAS BASEBOARD HEATING. NO AIR CONDITIONING. CAN A CENTRAL ... A: Richard, Baseboard heating is when the heating is at the baseboard! It could be a lot of things? You ...
Split system freeze-up	7/15/2008
Q: I installed a new split system 3 weeks ago. It was precharged with refrigerant. The filters still ... A: Mary, Defrost the coil completely before turning the cooling on , Run just the fan until no more ...
compare	7/13/2008
Q: Are some brands of central a/c's significantly better than others. I have been quoted prices for ... A: Bill, I don't know the "EverRest", I don't believe it's in my area but I understand that it's ...
Rheem	7/13/2008
Q: Sir - I have a split unit and am getting a build-up of condensate in the bottom of the attic unit to ... A: Kirk, The cooling coil inside your attic duct has a condensate drip pan built onto the bottom ...
Heat Pump	7/12/2008
Q: I have a 20 year old Carrier heat pump model 38QH.... It was installed about 3 years before I ... A: Chris, A heat pump is nothing more then an air conditioning condensing unit that has a reversing ...
air conditioning	7/12/2008
Q: with both a wall unit and central air.. when you put the unit[s] in fan mode does that bring air ... A: John, When set to "FAN" the blower runs continually just re-circulating the inside air only. Central ...
Replace air conditioner with R22 unit or R4?	7/10/2008
Q: I currently have a 26 year old GE unit which still works, but am considering replacing it before it ... A: Dorraine, It's been my understanding that refrigeration units that use freon are no longer in ...
Fan motor or capacitor?	7/10/2008
Q: Have a 5 year old Tempstar TCA236. Outdoor fan motor 'usually' starts but shuts down after about 15 ... A: Wade, It sounds like the motor to me? You can squirt some oil on to the motor shaft where it comes ...
Condensation overload	7/10/2008
Q: I have a goodman gas furnace in my garage. During hot summer days I seem to get so much ... A: Melissa, The "silver top part" is the furnace plenum/duct, inside the plenum right on top of the ...
A/C units hit by sprinklers	7/10/2008
Q: My A/C unit is hit by aprinklers on a regular basis. It has lasted 15years, but now needs replacing. ... A: Laura, The units are made for getting wet, However I think they need to dry out once in a while? ...
Replace air conditioner with R22 unit or R4?	7/9/2008
Q: I currently have a 26 year old GE unit which still works, but am considering replacing it before it ... A: dorraine, There are plenty of units old enough to be your units grand parent still running strong. ...
airconditioning	7/9/2008
Q: I installed a 4 ton 13 seer airconditioner on my cousins 1600 square foot house with 8 foot ceilings ... A: Derek, If it's a 24 x 24 filter return air grill it gets about 275 inches of free air if the filter ...
AC CONTACTOR	7/8/2008
Q: I HAVE A RHEEMS AC UNIT. THE CONTACTOR WAS BAD SO I REPLACED IT. I HAVE FOUND THAT I HAVE NO 24VAC ... A: Lee, "AC UNIT" covers a multitude of heating and cooling equipment, you aren't saying what you have ...
Repair/Replace Furnace	7/8/2008
Q: I have a 17 year old American Standard Furnace with a worn out fan. Repair for $400 or buy a new ... A: Chris, I like just a single stage furnace and a plain air conditioner. I like an 80% efficient ...
Heat coming on when not desired	7/8/2008
Q: I replaced the old thermostat over the winter with a Honeywell progammable thermostat and the system ... A: Brian, There are to many Honeywell thermostats to count but it dose sound like something with the ...
Whirlpool window AC stopped working...	7/8/2008
Q: The unit is 8,000 BTU, about 5 years old and has been in use about three weeks so far this summer. ... A: Anita, I don't do window units but it sounds like the motor is going out? Window units are like the ...
Different opinions on products...	7/7/2008
Q: I have a few questions... I live in New Hampshire. My house was built in 2001 and I have 2 10 SEER ... A: Larry, There called "evaporator coils" (Cooling coils). There are "A" coils and Horizontal coils. ...
Which HVAC to purchase?	7/7/2008
Q: would like your opinion on the three bids we have received for a new HVAC to be installed. The ... A: Geoff, So what's the bid for? another undersized unit? What dose "It will have to continue on the ...
Central air trips braker	7/7/2008
Q: When central air unit and dryer are both turned on the circuit breaker trips. What could the problem ... A: Howard, The air conditioner condenser section should be on a separate circuit breaker by itself. ...
Just moved in, and AC unit worked for a few days.....	7/7/2008
Q: Hey Jim, Just moved into a new home and it' been warm here for a few days. I turned on the HVAC ... A: Matt, If your outside unit is running, both condenser fan, and compressor the larger line should be ...
A/C Problem	7/7/2008
Q: My 3 ton compressor will run anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes, then shut off for 5 minutes, then come ... A: Scott, Are you calling your condensing unit your compressor? If your compressor is shutting off ...
Indoor odor	7/7/2008
Q: This is a rather strange question, a mystery that has been puzzling us for 4 years. Ever since we ... A: Maria, There are many types of "air conditioners" and many different ways that one might be ...
Lennox Pulse	7/6/2008
Q: Is is normal for the unit to run all the time? ANSWER: Price, Your unit should run until the ... A: Price, If the thermostat is set to "AUTO" the fan should go off at the same time that the outside ...
AC	7/6/2008
Q: My AC stopped blowing cold air. The green light on the thermostat is on indicating the AC is ... A: Steve, I don't know what you mean by turning off the "switch for the 24VAC"? When a breaker ...
AC	7/6/2008
Q: My AC stopped blowing cold air. The green light on the thermostat is on indicating the AC is ... A: Steve, I'm not the electrician that installed your electric service. Most all new or newer electric ...
Lennox Pulse	7/6/2008
Q: Is is normal for the unit to run all the time? A: Price, Your unit should run until the thermostat is satisfied. How long it runs or if the thermostat ...
Cracked drain pan inside leaking Goodman Heatpump unit in crawl space	7/6/2008
Q: Have you ever heard of a plastic drain pan cracking after 9 years and leaking condensation into the ... A: I guess just about anything can develop a crack under crack causing conditions such as dropping ...
AC	7/6/2008
Q: My AC stopped blowing cold air. The green light on the thermostat is on indicating the AC is ... A: Steve, There are two separate circuit breakers, 110 for inside and 220 for outside. The buzzing ...
RUUD achiever and heat pump	7/5/2008
Q: Last year a contractor replaced my old oil furnace with a new RUUD Achiever gas furnace but never ... A: Bernard, I don't have literature for looking up furnace models to see what all they consist of. I ...
Grant combi 90 MKII air inside boiler	7/5/2008
Q: Every week I have to drain air trapped inside boiler, I remove the trapped air, repressurise the ... A: Robert, Either the limit works or it doesn't You can think your getting the air all out but it may ...
furnace air filter	7/5/2008
Q: I have recently bought a house with a York Diamond 80 furnace and I can't find where the air filter ... A: Allison, The filter could be any place between the return air grill and the furnace blower ...
Fan did not come on and had ice on line	7/4/2008
Q: Woke up this morning as it was warm in the house. The system outside was running but the fan did not ... A: Graeme, I don't know of the existence of any filter outside? Your inside cooling coil and lines can ...
Replacing Electric Motor on Heat Pump	7/4/2008
Q: I have the same problem like this guy that you wrote....see his question below. I am about 45minutes ... A: Patric, I would go to a HVAC suppler that dealt in electric motors, it would be a wholesaler that ...
central air and heating	7/3/2008
Q: Can you advise as to the proper a/c tonnage for a 2300 square foot house - is there any way to ... A: Deb, The way to "decipher" different brands is by the name tag stuck on them. The color of paint may ...
condensate drain pan	7/2/2008
Q: The A/C coil unit that sits atop my air-handler in my basement is leaking water. I pulled off the ... A: Jeff, I don't know what your coil is? Your calling the unit an air handler as opposed to a heat pump ...
AC drip pan and rusty water	7/2/2008
Q: I have an AC unit in my apartment wich had its main drainage system abandoned and instead they ... A: Jorge, None of what you say is the way it should be. Your saying "I have an AC unit in my apartment" ...
How to calculate capacity	7/1/2008
Q: I wonder how do people come out capacity. I know that the bigger the house, the bigger the ... A: Sam, You lost me? Are you asking how to calculate the amount of cooling BTU's it takes to cool an ...
Shady work	7/1/2008
Q: About 4 years ago had a new attic unit was installed in our home. Unbeknown to us, the previous ... A: N, Whatever the unit in your attic is it's the air handling portion of your Air conditioning unit, ...
HVAC replacement ... after 19 years!	7/1/2008
Q: Our house has a 2 zone system with separate units: both condensers are outside; the (gas) heating ... A: Enrique, Heating with a heat pump is heating with electricity, you most likely would have to ...
Condensor coil	7/1/2008
Q: We have had a local service tech come to our house due to hardly any airflow throughout the house. ... A: Andrew, I don't know what the problem is? This is what I do know! The air flow in your house has ...
combustion venting for 90+ natural gas furnace 75000-90000btu	7/1/2008
Q: I have a Rheem 75000btu updraft 90+ High Efficiency natural gas furnace in the open basement of my ... A: Charles, Your terminology leaves a bit to be desired. Your furnace can get combustion air for the ...
A/C compressor and coil not matching in tons	6/30/2008
Q: My home inspector identified an issue at my one year new home inspection. He statted that the ... A: Elaine, With a 3.5 ton cooling coil and a 3 ton condenser you get 3 tons of cooling. With a 3.5 ton ...
air flow	6/30/2008
Q: I have a dual HVAC system and had the upstairs system replaced. I contracted a guy who was to ... A: Luis, The size of air conditioning unit Depends on the size of the house plus a whole lot of other ...
Carrier Vs. Amana	6/30/2008
Q: I am getting quotes from 3 different AC installers as my unit is 11 years old. The first one just ... A: Connie, As far as I know all coils are copper with aluminum fins? Eleven years is not old for ...
Replacing Centrai Air with a heat pump	6/30/2008
Q: I currently have oil heat and central air because of the uncertainty of oil prices I was thinking of ... A: Jake, I have no idea what the requirement's are for heating and cooling your house let alone the ...
McQuay Air Conditioning Unit	6/30/2008
Q: I have a McQuay Air Conditioning unit in my apartment. It provides A/C and heat. The A/C is not ... A: Justin, OK, I still don't get the picture? There are split systems and there are self contained ...
primary condensate drain	6/29/2008
Q: I have a central air conditioner with the air unit in the attic. It is 6 years old. In the 2nd ... A: Mike, The cooling coil in your attic which ever type it is? an A coil or a horizontal coil/ comes ...
Central air unit not working correctly	6/29/2008
Q: I recently had a power outage in my neighborhood. My central air unit was working correctly until ... A: Sat, The problem is the condenser fan motor. Either the motor start capacitor or a bad motor? You ...
HVAC Humidistat	6/28/2008
Q: I just moved to a condo that has a McQuay Seasonmaker central HVAC installed in the mid-seventies. ... A: Caroline, I'm not familiar with your "de-humidifier" either? You can turn off the humidity control ...
Air Conditioner	6/27/2008
Q: I have a 15 year old air conditioning system with a "major leak somewhere". My service company says ... A: Paul, Again, the cost of the repair vs. the cost of a new unit? your choice. Get a quote from some ...
HVAC replacement and duct work	6/27/2008
Q: Our house has 2 zones with 2 separate units. Gas furnace and AC for the bedrooms in attic, and ... A: John, Most all duct liner insulation is black in it's natural state. Unless the insulation is ragged ...
New Gas Furnace	6/26/2008
Q: What brand of gas furnace would you recommend as a good furnace to purchase? Our current gas furnace ... A: Lowanda, The brand of furnace is your least worry. In my opinion all furnaces are pretty much the ...
Blower does not run	6/26/2008
Q: AC will work ok for a while. After a few hours thermostat will call the system. Following the ... A: Emmitt, Motors can develop a dead spot so to speak. If the motor stopped on the dead spot/spot's ...
Thermostat wiring diagram	6/26/2008
Q: Need the wiring diagram for a ACONT401AN21MA thermostat. American Standard A/C system with heat ... A: George, I don't have manufacture and parts model numbers for looking up equipment etc. If I knew ...
14 SEER or 15? payne or carrier? replace whole house fan?	6/26/2008
Q: We have estimates on a 4 ton 14 SEER payne condensing unit with a 90% high efficiency payne furnace, ... A: Kathy, Is it humid where you live? do people have swamp coolers on there roofs? You won't be ...
First time AC buyer	6/26/2008
Q: by the end of today I will have had 5 estimates for a new AC unit. Price quotes have ranged from ... A: Helen, All I can tell you is that freon is going to be replaced eventually because it is harmfully ...
Repeated TRANE AC Compressor Problems	6/26/2008
Q: Mr. Barnhart, I have two TRANE AC/FURNACE UNITS IN MY HOME. (MODELS: 2TTR1024A and 2TTR1042A). They ... A: Danna, I have never had this experience so to speak where the compressor keeps going out? I would be ...
First time AC buyer	6/25/2008
Q: by the end of today I will have had 5 estimates for a new AC unit. Price quotes have ranged from ... A: Helen No matter what you have freon or puron there will be a refrigerant available for your AC unit ...
Central Air unit freezes.	6/25/2008
Q: my central air unit has been feezing up for the past 4 days. I mowed my yard, the next day my air ... A: Corey, I don't know what type of air unit/cooling coil you have? Up-flow, down-flow, horizontal ...
CentralAC Coilsand condensation	6/24/2008
Q: Can an upflow furnance have an "A" type coil installed below it and airflow top to bottom down ... A: Steve, Your describing a "down-flow" furnace. With a down-flow the arrangement is correct. It sounds ...
Trane XB1000 Split Unit	6/24/2008
Q: The unit just recently stopped working. When the thermostat causes the blower to kick on, the ... A: Heidi, Not knowing what the problem is exactly and not knowing what your mechanical capabilitys are ...
hvac drip pan and coil	6/24/2008
Q: My hvac system is 21 years old. Air handler is in the attic. The company that wants to sell me a new ... A: Paul. I'm not clear as to what the drain hole in the auxiliary pan is? You can attach a nipple or ...
Is it a diffuser?	6/23/2008
Q: I have a house that was built about 1973. The air conditioning system has ducts that "shoot" air up ... A: Sherrill, Actually it is a diffuser or at least part of one. This type of ceiling diffuser is meant ...
Blower not coming on	6/22/2008
Q: I have a lennox blower. AC condenser is working but the blower motor wont come on. I removed the ... A: David, It sounds like the blower motor to me. When you set the thermostat to fan on dose the blower ...
Adding additional Return Air Duct	6/22/2008
Q: Adding Additional Return Air Duct. I’m Wondering where to take the CFM measurement from? The ... A: Steven, You need 1800 CFM for 4 tons of cooling. Your blower is rated for the CFM you gave at .5 ...
degrees of cooling per hour	6/21/2008
Q: I was wondering what is the expected rate of cooling for a residential central AC unit; how long ... A: Pamela, If you don't turn your air conditioner on until it's too late and it's already hot outside ...