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About Blake Ballard (A/C - Heat - IAQ Expert)
(Top Expert on this page)

Expertise
With 25+ years experience, I can answer questions with regard to residential and light commercial heating, air conditioning, ventilation and Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) issues. Please don't be offended if I won't help you do something that is dangerous or not legal for a homeowner to do. Sorry, but I don't do oil, boiler, fridge or appliance repair questions.

Experience
I have 25+ years in the industry as a Service Technician, Service Manager, General Manager and Owner. I have also worked on the manufacturing side of the industry as an instructor/trainer, in production, troubleshooting, warranty administration and design of HVACR systems)

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

Questions Answered By Expert Blake Ballard (A/C - Heat - IAQ Expert)
In Category Heating, Air Conditioning, Fridge, HVAC

Subject	Date Asked

Honeywell Chronotherm III Thermostat	12/1/2007
Q: Have two and love them. However, the one in our basement that controls only a furnace for that area ... A: R Pannell, The AC means that the thermostat has no AC (alternating current) voltage to it. This can ...
replace electric baseboard heaters w/ furnace	12/1/2007
Q: My wife and I recently bought our first house in Marysville, WA and it has 50 yr old electric ... A: Blaine, You are fortunate to live in such a beautiful area. I lived in Everett in the 80's. I would ...
furnace problem	12/1/2007
Q: I have a friend who has a Tempstar Furnace, Model NTP6050FBB1. When the thermostat calls for heat ... A: Joe, I highly doubt that any leaking from an A/C condenser (the outside unit) could ever cause a ...
Exhaust Venting	11/30/2007
Q: I have a Rheem Classic 90 Plus 75k. and I need to add length to the exhaust pipe and cannot find my ... A: Jamey, If you only want to add a few feet then there should be no problem extending the pipe with ...
A/C adjusting air flow	11/29/2007
Q: Last year I had Sears install a new furnace and A/C (Which is a stroy in itself!) anyway I have ... A: Don, If the ducts have dampers that will allow the air to be adjusted then you will not find them ...
Lennox runs for few minutes then wont relight	11/29/2007
Q: I have a g12q3e-110-8. The unit will light, run for a few minutes(even cycle a few times) then not ... A: Dave, Although there are a number of things that can cause this scenario (a "lockout"), it is ...
Installation cost for central heating and air conditioning	11/29/2007
Q: The furnace in the downstairs zone of my house has a crack in the heat exchanger. To replace the ... A: Jonathan, The price sounds high for the furnace replacement in most areas of the country, ...
gas furnace problem	11/28/2007
Q: When my furnace kicked on last night there was a very loud sound and the smoke alarm went off, I ... A: Heatherd, This is a very serious problem and you must not use the heat until the furnace is checked ...
America Standard Freedom 80	11/28/2007
Q: Model: ADD120C860E0 Serial: R394X732G Dear Blake, This furnace is acting up lately. However, ... A: Kim, 3 flashes is called a "PRESSURE SWITCH ERROR" in the Am. Std. service manual for your unit. ...
gas pilot light	11/28/2007
Q: I live in an older house that has a Holly "Stubby' Furnace. I can not lite the pilot light. any ... A: Mary, If you are absolutely positive that there is gas pressure to the furnace (gas shutoff valve ...
forced hot water furnace turns on too soon	11/27/2007
Q: My furnace is keeping my house at about 64 degrees even though the thermostat is set to 55 degrees. ... A: Shawn, Your problem is often caused by a thermo-siphon in the water lines to the furnace coil. It ...
Central Unit Efficiency	11/27/2007
Q: We have vents/louvers underneath the window in each room. I'm thinking about setting a small scale ... A: Jeff, If this is the only one and you are not already having problems with the air flow in the ...
Heat pump compressor not running long enough	11/27/2007
Q: I had a Trane heat pump and air handler (TWE031E13FB, TWY030B100A1) installed in late 2003. Recently ... A: Wayne, First, thanks for including the make and model numbers - it makes my job way easier. The ...
Charging a Goodman 5 ton 410 two stage heat pump in heating mode	11/26/2007
Q: I understand subcooling and 22 systems pretty well. But I've got a new unit that I need to get the ... A: Trever, The tech is all wet. Degrees above ambient is completely wrong. You need to check the specs ...
heat pump problem	11/26/2007
Q: I have a intertherm split system heat pump. The mod.# on the outside unit is t3qc-048k, inside mod.# ... A: Dave, If you have a 2-stage thermostat it could be responsible. A non-electronic type thermostat ...
Heil furnace/ac	11/25/2007
Q: I have an older heil unit that is a furnace w/air cond. the ignitor is not lighting the pilot light, ... A: Edd, Spark ignitors require thousands of volts, so either your reading is wrong or your control ...
no ignition - Tempstar DC90 series	11/24/2007
Q: Well, now that the temps dropped the last 24 hrs here in NJ to freezing, my downstairs heat went out ... A: Bud, Sorry, but my literature only goes back to 1998 and I can't tell what type of gas valve, pilot ...
Wall Heater	11/24/2007
Q: I have a wall furnace that works fine heats the house great. I call the gas company to do there ... A: Christopher, First, it is a lot better to be cold than sick or dead. If the furnace is producing ...
goodman gas pack problem	11/18/2007
Q: I AM HAVING TROUBLE WITH A GOODMAN MODEL PGO-60150-1AB-REV E GAS PACK. AT FIRST IT WOULD NOT ... A: Daren, You most likely have an air flow problem. Check the return air and supply air vents for ...
heating	2/14/2007
Q: My furnace is short cycling, only runs for 4 to 5 mins and stops, it starts up again and again to ... A: Mike, Furnaces that short cycle usually have problems with air flow or flame sensing. Limits trip ...
Heat Pump	2/14/2007
Q: Is it possible to make the air that heats my house from a heat pump, hotter? It seems to me that ... A: David, If the heat pump is charged correctly and running correctly, there is no way to make the air ...
keeps running	2/13/2007
Q: i have a 2 ton split. my outside unit wont stop running after it hits the target temp. if i turn the ... A: Manny, If the outdoor unit stops when you switch the thermostat to OFF then the problem is in the ...
gas furnace short cycles	2/13/2007
Q: Janitrol 80% gas 100k btu furnace, 5 years old. tstat calls for heat. draft inducer comes on. ... A: Richard, There are other limits in the same circuit as the two switches you describe. They are ...
Airconditioner condensation pan	2/12/2007
Q: Whenshould the air conditioning system be inspected> Before during or after the cooling seasonWhen ... A: Richard, The best time to have an air conditioning system inspected and serviced is prior to the ...
Few Questions	2/12/2007
Q: Condensing unit American Standard #2A7A5030A1000A During the installation the fallowing mistakes ... A: Andrzej, The American Standard Installers Guide for your system indicates that the refrigerant ...
FURNACE KEEPS STOPPING	2/11/2007
Q: .I HAVE A COLEMAN FURNACE WHICH IS ONLY ABOUT A YEAR OLD..( model # GM9S080B12DH11G ) THAT KEEPS ... A: Paul, Pressure switch lockouts are caused by: 1. defective pressure switch, 2. sticking pressure ...
Intermittent Pilot controller	2/10/2007
Q: Can a Honeywell S90B 1011 controller be used to replace a Honeywell S86H 1006 Intermittent Pilot ... A: Lynn, I have been able to locate specs on the S86H, but not on the S90B control. Both controls show ...
Airconditioner condensation pan	2/9/2007
Q: When should the condensation pan be inspected,replaced? A: Richard, The pan should be inspected during your annual maintenance. They should be replaced when ...
GE Zoneline Heat Pump not heating	2/9/2007
Q: I have a zoneline heat pump made in 1987, model A3869BDAALW2. I haven't used it in years and 3 weeks ... A: Char, It sounds like you have an intermittent control problem or a compressor problem. If I had to ...
Thermostats call for heat; Nothing comes out	2/9/2007
Q: I just installed a new transformer. I put in something called a Honeywell R8239 A 1052 Fan Center. ... A: Steve, According to the documentation for your controller the DATS is optional. If there are wires ...
heating unit	2/8/2007
Q: Blake, I have a furnace inside and the heat pump outside, i think that is what that unit outside is ... A: Tonya, You have a split heat pump system. The outdoor unit is the heat pump and the indoor unit is ...
heating unit	2/7/2007
Q: when i turn my heat on it blows out cold air. i had a friend tell me to go outside and push the red ... A: Tonya, I will be glad to try to help you, but since I have to do this without being there or seeing ...
Thermostats call for heat; Nothing comes out	2/7/2007
Q: I saw you answer a question not similar to mine but close. I have a forced hot air furnace with two ... A: Steve, My experience with these controllers has been very positive. The next time this happens, ...
ice on ac/unit	2/7/2007
Q: I just moved to south carolina and this is my first central ac/heat unit . the question i have is: ... A: Ryan, The system that you describe is called a split heat pump. The indoor section is called an air ...
wall furnace	2/6/2007
Q: We have an old gas (wall mounted) furnace with the thermostat located next to it. The thermostat ... A: Richard, The situation you describe could be a problem with the gas valve, wiring, or thermopile ...
heating system	2/6/2007
Q: Scenario: My gas furnace is working fine. House warms up, furnace turns off. House cools, ... A: Theresa, It is possible, but not likely that the flame sensor is dirty. Once they begin to not read ...
2 Q's about Keeprite furnace	2/6/2007
Q: My name is Curtis. I need a new forced air/natural gas furnace for my single-family house. I have ... A: Curtis, Keeprite is a brand manufactured by ICP - International Comfort Products, who is owned by ...
heat pump - proper/efficient operation	2/6/2007
Q: I have a newer Lennox Heat Pump (HP 13) and air handler (CB 29)- typical setup (outdoor unit and ... A: Eric, Whenever a heat pump outdoor section is operating normally the compressor and the fan motor ...
Splicing duct work	2/5/2007
Q: I recently found one of the ducts feeding a BR seems to have been stepped on and is almost flat ... A: Don, If you can round the duct back out and get it reasonably close then that will be adequate. If ...
natural gas smell through vent	2/5/2007
Q: I have a Rudd, natural gas, forced air 250k BTU furnace. It is 19 years old but works fine. I have ... A: Terri, What you describe is not a good situation and is potentially very dangerous. You should ...
a/c problem	2/5/2007
Q: i have a bryant 3 ton a/c system. its about 10 years old. recently i noticed the air was not warm. ... A: Mike, I am assuming that you have a heat pump system because it is being used to heat (you don't ...
HVAC HEATING SIZE	2/5/2007
Q: Illinois and have a 1500 square foot ranch with a full basement and would like to know what size ... A: Kenneth, The only correct way to determine the proper size system for your home is to do a load ...
whole house funace humidifiers	2/4/2007
Q: I have a natural gas forced hot air furnace and am looking into a humidifier for this system. Do ... A: Jonathan, I don't have any direct experience with the Desert Spring model, but I have looked at the ...
coleman furnace explodes	2/4/2007
Q: like i said it's old it's been here as far as i know over 10 years and also what is the going rate ... A: Jason, Thanks for trying again on the model number. It is probably correct, I just can't locate ...
Armstrong Compak PGE12B48 packaged gas unit no start	2/3/2007
Q: The unit listed above will not start consistently. The board will list trouble code for no flame ... A: Jerry, Many ignitions that fail to spark, cause no flame detected, and lockout are because the unit ...
central air	2/3/2007
Q: my son's black lab has chewed through the black exterior of their central air unit, leaving a hold ... A: Beth, You are correct in describing the problem area as coil fins. When the fins on the coil are ...
coleman furnace explodes	2/3/2007
Q: i have an old coleman furnace model 2631d,series 756,serial 17304021 well almost every time it kicks ... A: Jason, The explosion noise you are hearing is exactly that - an explosion. We call it a "delayed ...
central heat and air unit	2/2/2007
Q: We have an outdoor central heating and air conditioning unit. Our problem is that during the summer ... A: Kenny, Thanks for the info - it really helps. Your model is a 3-ton heat pump and it has a circuit ...
Furnace/AC	2/1/2007
Q: Or furnace and AC unit is roughly 25 years old,installed when the house was built. The AC unit goes ... A: Barry, Any good qualified service tech can tell you what is causing the problem with the ...
Mobile Home Furnace	2/1/2007
Q: Our 10 year old Coleman MBC36COA electric furnace/AC will heat up, but the blower never kicks on. ... A: Jane, If you know how to use a multimeter, I can probably help you troubleshoot this problem. I ...
hvac registers and returns	2/1/2007
Q: I am building a new house with forced hot air heat and central AC sharing the vent work. I had ... A: Michele, The best location for registers and returns depends on your climate and the construction ...
Heat Pump Freezing	1/31/2007
Q: Blake, Hello, to start off, I had a problem this summer with a stuck contactor on my Heat Pump ... A: Jason, Frost and freezing on the outdoor coil of a heat pump are normal when: 1. The outdoor ...
Thermostats went blank	1/31/2007
Q: I work for a small company. We have a couple of heating and cooling units(Trane sfca 753 1b) on the ... A: David, The thermostats have lost low voltage for some reason. Usually when one quits there is a ...
UV-C filter for Furnace	1/31/2007
Q: I am in the process of looking at a UV-C lamp system for my furnace. Do you know anything about ... A: Steve, I would not believe the claims that any UV lamp system does not put out any ozone - they all ...
Possible thermostat sensor problem	1/31/2007
Q: Just one more quick question...we have been having unseasonable cold weather...could this have ... A: Glynis, Very cold outdoor temperatures will obviously increase the amount of heat needed to ...
Possible thermostat sensor problem	1/30/2007
Q: Just by popping off the thermostat cover uncovered one problem: one of the batteries had acid all ... A: Glynis, The test is really only going to be useful when the problem is happening. Unfortunately, ...
Furnace Startup.	1/29/2007
Q: I have a TRANE XE80, model TUD120C960BO. When calling for heat, the exhaust motor starts, the ... A: Fritz, The flame sensing is the problem here. It can be caused by an oxidized flame sensor, a flame ...
CPE24-1ab	1/29/2007
Q: Blake, I have a Goodman heat pump.The fan is not working. The compressor is working fine. I am ... A: John, To check the fan motor run cap: 1. remove power to the unit 2. remove the fan wire on the ...
Luxaire air heat pump frost on outside unit	1/29/2007
Q: I have a older Luxaire Model : ECHP-F024AA unit. The unit will have frost on the inside and outside ... A: David, Frost is a result of the heat pump running: 1. in low outdoor temperatures 2. high enough ...
gas furnace	1/28/2007
Q: Blake, I have a Janitrol natural gas furnace. Model GMNT100-4, 100,000 BTU. The unit is only 4 to 5 ... A: George, Your system has a hot surface ignitor (HSI) that is supposed to get power and glow right ...
central heat and air unit	1/28/2007
Q: We have an outdoor central heating and air conditioning unit. Our problem is that during the summer ... A: Kenny, Thermostats do not control the temperature of the air. They only turn the system on or off ...
trane xe80 lock out	1/28/2007
Q: My trane gas fired furnace will not fire up all the time. When it strikes out 3 times it locks ... A: James, You need to remove the burners and clean the crossovers that carry the flame from one burner ...
heating and air ducts	1/28/2007
Q: I have a 2 story house with a 5ton heat/air unit. I am getting alot of air upstairs but not much ... A: Gene, A zone system may help force more air downstairs, but if the problem is that the ducts are ...
Loud noise from Electric Heater	1/28/2007
Q: THe model number is MC42-F15D2F-6. When the heat first comes on it makes a loud screaching noise ... A: Brandy, The noise you are hearing is coming from the blower motor and/or wheel. As you have noted, ...
Possible thermostat sensor problem	1/27/2007
Q: I have a gas powered furnace that is approx 13 years old. I have never serviced it in the 6 years I ... A: Glynis, What you describe could be a problem with either the furnace or the thermostat. Here is how ...
Freezing condensate line & discharge from humidifier	1/27/2007
Q: I have two related questions: Both my high-efficiency gas-fired furnace (2 yrs old) and the ... A: Frank, There is a heat tape that you can use to keep pipes from freezing. You can see a few ...
Residential Electric Furnace	1/27/2007
Q: The outside unit is frosted over, doesn't seem to defrost. Still have heat, but I'm afraid of what ... A: Jackie, Defrost cycles should happen anywhere from 20-90 minutes of continuous run time on the ...
3 amp fuse	1/27/2007
Q: Blake My unit is a furnace with air conditioner.The brand is Amana, the model is pgu36c0702e. The ... A: Mario, Thanks for the model information. I will try to locate the service literature for your ...
Trane heat pump	1/26/2007
Q: I have a Trane XE 800 heat pump which was squealing this morning with the temp outside around 25 ... A: Fred, Squealing from a fan is almost always guaranteed to be the bearings in the fan motor. Once ...
amana BMA24F00A air handler: no heat and condensation pan leaks	1/26/2007
Q: the air handler in our place is located upstairs in a closet. it is aa AMANA model# BMA24FOOA Mfg.# ... A: Cassie, The heat pump may not be putting out much heat right now due to either a very low outdoor ...
carrier heater	1/25/2007
Q: i have a carrier 58 pav070-14,the flames comes on and then shuts off in about 10/15 sec. it will do ... A: Bennie, There should be a LED error code flashing on the circuit board that will allow you to know ...
scroll motor thumping when turned off	1/24/2007
Q: but what if this grinding sometimes lasts for say 5-10 seconds (or untill it sounds like the scroll ... A: Eddie, Think of two spirals - one that moves inside the other. As they rotate, the contact between ...
Cold Air Return Grills	1/24/2007
Q: Should the slats point up, or should they point down, or does it not matter? Mine are placed high ... A: Jill, They should point whichever way that you want the air to flow. For registers placed high on ...
scroll motor thumping when turned off	1/24/2007
Q: i have a 1991 heat pump. i noticed my compressor started making this thumping noise periodically ... A: Eddie, Many sources claim that scroll compressors are quieter than reciprocating compressors. The ...
Payne heater	1/24/2007
Q: Unit is made by Payne and is about 25 yrs old. I turned on up the thermastat to 72...unit came on as ... A: Patty, Unplugging the unit probably caused one of the limits to trip. When burners turn off the fan ...
Heat Pump	1/23/2007
Q: Should a heat pump run even if the temperature outside is 10 degree? We have electric heating ... A: David, 10 degrees is far below the outdoor temperature where a properly sized heat pump will heat ...
follow-up to my previous question	1/23/2007
Q: You mentioned that this is an older model and I will need to find something that can handle 120V in ... A: Imran, I apologize for not being clear in my answer - sometimes trying to keep answers short and to ...
Underperforming Heat Pump	1/23/2007
Q: My heat pump system has been underperforming for some time now. I just had a new compressor ... A: Arturo, Your system is undercharged on refrigerant, there is a restriction in the line, or there is ...
Heat pump frosting (not icing)	1/22/2007
Q: I have a 12 Seer Carrier I purchased in 2005, and lately I've noticed frosting (not icing) in the ... A: Jason, Frosting is a normal condition when there is moisture in the air and the temperature is ...
air conditioning	1/22/2007
Q: I was wondering if someone moves into an apartment in an older building and the apartment currently ... A: Danielle, Most apartments do not have the area in which to run ductwork required for a central air ...
Heating unit acting up	1/22/2007
Q: I moved in my new home about 3 years ago now and since the first winter I've noticed the unit acts ... A: Laura, You didn't include the type of system you have, the brand, or the model number, but from ...
Rheem burner won't stay on	1/21/2007
Q: I have a Rheem RGDG-12EARJR furnace. The induction blower comes on and the furnace fires, staying ... A: Gerald, Sorry for the delay - I have been out of town and had no access to reference material for ...
no heat	1/21/2007
Q: my heating system will work fine for pretty much all day, then usually at night i wake up and its ... A: James, I can probably be more helpful if you will send me the full model number of your Bryant ...
main burner doesn't stay on	1/20/2007
Q: I have a heil NTGM075EGA3 gas furnace. SE No. l9837. When I set the thermostat for 68 lets say, The ... A: Tim, It is very unlikely that the gas valve is the problem. What you describe is much more likely ...
furnace problems	1/19/2007
Q: Day and night furnace 1988. Blower motor was running constantly i changed the two limit switches ... A: Robert, Your flame sensor or thermocouple is not responding to the flame. If it is a thermocouple ...
Heat Pump problem	1/19/2007
Q: The outside unit of my heater/AC does not come on when I use my heater. The inside unit works and ... A: Danny, First, make sure that the thermostat setting is in the HEAT mode and not the Emergency Heat ...
Heat pump will not go into defrost cycle	1/19/2007
Q: Blake, you said you needed this info. Trane XL 1200 heat pump. Model #TWX 736A100A3 , Serial # ... A: Andrew, Thanks for the model number - I was able to locate some service literature for your system. ...
wiring a thermostat	1/19/2007
Q: we had to buy a new furnace, we bought a nordyne m1mc 077A. we have a 2 wire thermostat. I would ... A: Jack, The red and white are correct. If the furnace won't ignite, check the gas shutoff on the pipe ...
Water from furnace	1/19/2007
Q: Ballard, I have a gas furnace which has a condensate pump attached. After being gone for over a ... A: John, Sometimes the float in the pump gets stuck and doesn't turn on the pump. Try opening the top ...
No A/C or Heat	1/17/2007
Q: I have a 2-stage trane heatpump. I tried installing a new thermostat and I was able to get the ac ... A: Chris, Unless you turned the power off to the air handler before you did any of this work there is ...
Heil gas furnace won't fire up consistently	1/16/2007
Q: Blake, thanks for taking my question on this topic back on Jan. 11. It looks like the problem is not ... A: Les, Way to go on locating the problem! Cleaning the condensate trap may help, but the problem is ...
furnace	1/16/2007
Q: i have a comfort maker furnace model cgua080a0 circa 1984. the problem i have is the furnace will ... A: Jim, Thanks for including the model number for your furnace. Unfortunately, I don't have access to ...
rheem	1/15/2007
Q: thenks blake======model # RCOA-3765GG17 SERIAL MO895 I PUT NEW AIR FILTERS IN YESTERDAY CHECKED ... A: Rick, Thanks for the model number. I will try to locate support literature for your furnace for ...
AC -air feels damp	1/15/2007
Q: I live in Florida and its humid here.Recently I noticed that my air conditioner is cooling but it ... A: Alan, This could be an airflow issue or a refrigerant charging issue. Check the temperaure ...
york vs. ruud	1/14/2007
Q: I'm still researching heat pumps and am getting a few more quotes. I have a few more questions: 1) ... A: John, I don't have a very high opinion of Goodman - I have seen so many failures over the years ...
No Night Heat, fine during daylight hours	1/14/2007
Q: My unit is a Goodman PH504-1A, electric HVAC and Heat Pump. I have recently had problems with the ... A: Sherrod, It is extremely unlikely that your problem is with the thermostat or a limit. Thermostats ...
20 year old AC/heating unit	1/14/2007
Q: I live in Bakersfield California. My family recently moved into a home that is 20 years old and so ... A: Jeff, If your current system is 20 years old, it probably had an original SEER of 7 or 8. The new ...
Home heating issues...	1/13/2007
Q: Blake, I apologize, but I was unable to locate a model number. I do know that the furnace is a ... A: Alik, I am still not sure what to tell you about your system. I don't even know if it is gas or ...
No 24 VAC after replacing Thermostat on Trane XL80	1/13/2007
Q: Blake, the model number of my Trane is TUD120B960A. I measured between R and common and there was ... A: Tony, There are two high voltage (110V) leads to the transformer. One comes from the door switch ...
Emergency heat keeps running	1/13/2007
Q: i disconnected the Red wire on the air handler as you suggested. when i turned back on the power ... A: Daniel, If you disconnected the red thermostat wire at the furnace, powered it back on, and it ...
Heil Furnace Model:NTC5125BKE1	1/12/2007
Q: My furnace,a natural gas forced air unit, I do not have AC, will not ignite, the fan starts when you ... A: Dennis, Dennis, Thermocouples are very cheap - if that is what you have. Gas valves are very ...
Limited heat	1/12/2007
Q: We have a Lennox hvac unit that we purchased brand new in 2000. The model # is CB30M-41-1P. It is ... A: Debbie, Your system type is a heat pump. A heat pump is like a conventional air conditioner except ...
Heil gas furnace won't fire up consistently	1/11/2007
Q: I have a Heil forced air gas furnace (w/ AC), about 12 years old. For the past month, the furnace ... A: Les, The first two guys were obviously wrong, but here is why. If your filters are dirty, the ...
Home heating issues...	1/11/2007
Q: Blake, Thanks so much for the info. I'll get you the model # later this week if it can help. I ... A: Alik, A limit is a protection device designed to shut the flames down when a temperature has been ...
HEIL DC90 NO IGNITION	1/11/2007
Q: Its' model # NDGM100EHA1 Thanks... GrantHi, I have a 12 year old HEIL DC90 furnace with a Honeywell ... A: Grant, Thanks for the model number. It appears that you have a sealed combustion 90 efficiency ...
HEIL DC90 NO IGNITION	1/10/2007
Q: I have a 12 year old HEIL DC90 furnace with a Honeywell electronic ignition controller. It ... A: Grant, The small blower motor that starts on a call for heat is called the draft inducer motor. ...
No 24 VAC after replacing Thermostat on Trane XL80	1/10/2007
Q: Blake, I saw your answer to the question from Phillip below back in October and I have an ... A: Tony, If you can get me the full model number of your furnace I can look at the wiring diagram and ...
A/C whirring/whistling noise	1/10/2007
Q: Blake, I moved into a house where the central AC system makes some noise other than the sound of ... A: Shawn, Go to the return air and remove the grille. If the noise remains, it is a mechanical noise ...
Home heating issues...	1/10/2007
Q: Blake, Good evening. I have been battling a heating problem for the last couple of months and need ... A: Alik, This is very unlikely to be the thermostat. The problem you describe with the furnace ...
replacement home unit	1/9/2007
Q: We need a replacement unit for our home. We need heat pump and are trying to evaluate brands. You ... A: Ann & Jim, Part of my last answer takes care of some of your question. Carrier is a pretty good ...
furnace not firing	1/9/2007
Q: My furnace blower starts to run but the electronic igniter just flashes several times (it flashes ... A: George, Thanks for the model number. According to Lennox, here is the sequence of operation for ...
replacement home unit	1/9/2007
Q: We need a replacement unit for our home. We need heat pump and are trying to evaluate brands. You ... A: Ann & Jim, I understand about some contractors not being professional or reliable. Their promptness ...
replacing heat pump	1/9/2007
Q: I have minimal knowledge and am wondering if Amana makes good equipment. We've recently signed a ... A: Courtney, Amana is now the exact same equipment as Goodman (except for the label), and has pretty ...
replacement home unit	1/8/2007
Q: We need a replacement unit for our home. We need heat pump and are trying to evaluate brands. You ... A: Ann & Jim, Thanks for the great explanation of your situation. You really won't be able to find ...
Trane XL 1200 heat pump	1/8/2007
Q: Heat pump does not go into defrost cycle most of the time when (outside) unit frost's up. I replaced ... A: Andrew, Since you only gave the series of the heat pump and not the model number (there is a huge ...
Trane XE90 furnace cold air only, replaced board, can't figure!	1/8/2007
Q: Several year old XE90 running continuously blowing cold air only, regardless of thermostat settings. ... A: Ed, On a furnace the most common reasons that fans run continuously are: 1. stuck fan relay or fan ...
Rudd Silouette II Furnace	1/8/2007
Q: Furnace kicks on and gas jets start for about 5 -10 seconds then gas quits and it just blows cold ... A: Jay, What you are seeing is a classic symptom of an ignition that is not sensing that there is a ...
Mold on vent registers	1/7/2007
Q: I came home from a 2 week vacation and found mold growing on 80% of the registers. I live in Miami ... A: Bill, Mold requires both moisture and a food source to be able to grow. Unfortunately, there is no ...
carrier gas furnace(Propane)	1/6/2007
Q: Blake: I am trying to locate three burners for my furnace. I will not install them. If I can find ... A: Henry, I noticed that your rating of my answer gave me 10 across the board except for the ...
central heat and air unit	1/6/2007
Q: I have a RHEEM Model#RCBA-4882a521 heat and a/c unit. The heat was working fine but when I tried to ... A: Pam, The Rheem RCBA is the model number of the indoor air conditioning coil only. I am not sure ...
Heater	1/6/2007
Q: I have an upstairs heater for the whole house. When I turn on the thermostat it will make a clicking ... A: Ann, If it is a digital thermostat it is completely normal for it to make a clicking sound when the ...
Emergency heat keeps running	1/5/2007
Q: We have a Coleman/Evcon heat pump. This morning it was hot in our house and the emergency heat ... A: Daniel, If this happens again, go to the air handler and disconnect the red (R) thermostat control ...
Occasional down draft problem with Lennox furnace	1/4/2007
Q: I have a 14 year old Lennox G17 gas fired furnace. Occasionally when it is colder outside (I live in ... A: Greg, If the CO level of 12 ppm was measured inside your home, and it is without question coming ...
Ruud Silhouette Gas Furnace Problem	1/4/2007
Q: I am in central Alabama and I have a RUUD Silhouette Mod. # UGDG 07EAUER Furnace w/ natural gas ... A: Stan, Usually there is a lockout controller whenever heat pumps are used with fossil fuel as a ...
york vs. ruud	1/4/2007
Q: I have two estimates: York(yzb03011) http://www.yorkupg.com/PDFFiles/271457-YTG-B-1106.pdf $4800 ... A: John, First, let me thank you for including all the information I need to look at. It has made my ...
Carrier furnace randomly working	1/4/2007
Q: I have a gas Carrier furnace model number 58G5100-JA (about 15 years old) that began randomly ... A: Angela, Your furnace model is a 58GS100-JA. What I have found on your furnace so far is ...
Auxillary light on heat pump	1/4/2007
Q: I have a heat pump with auxillary and emergency heat, all electric. This morning the auxillary heat ... A: Z, If you have a non-programmable thermostat then the aux heat is controlled by it and is set up as ...
Heat pump and inside fan don't work	1/3/2007
Q: The heat pump is not running and the fan inside the AC/Heat unit is not running. I leave the fan on ... A: Roberto, If nothing at all runs then you probably have a lack of power to the air handler or a bad ...
Air Handler drips	1/3/2007
Q: I have a 7yrs old Rheem AC unit installed at my rental property. Model # RBHA-14J06NUHAI. Drip pan ... A: Mohsin, Once a drain pan leaks it is pretty much impossible to truly repair it. Some techs will ...
AmerStand Freedom 80 frequently fails to ignite	1/2/2007
Q: The model is "AUD140C960H5" The board is a "White-Rodgers 50A50-473 D33093P01 replace with CNT 2182" ... A: Howard, The literature I located for your model shows 2 flashes as a system lockout due to no ...
desired gap under door	1/2/2007
Q: I am building a new house and I am getting ready to install the interior doors. I realize that if I ... A: Russ, The gap size would mostly be a function of how large the room is and how often the door would ...
Lennox Heat Pump from hell	1/2/2007
Q: After the motor was replaced the 2nd time we were told that "shipping bolts" were discovered from ... A: Wendy, It is a good thing that you changed companies. Anyone who can replace a motor and not notice ...
Replacement of A coil	1/2/2007
Q: I live in Dallas/Fort Worth area so the summers are hot. We run our A/C at least 8 months per year. ... A: Don, If there is a leak in the refrigerant tubing inside the indoor coil then you are usually much ...
Lennox Heat Pump from hell	1/1/2007
Q: I am a consumer with a 8 1/2 yr old Lennox heat pump. The unit model # on the furnace section is ... A: Wendy, While on very rare occasions there are furnaces or air conditioners that we would agree are ...
American Standard Freedom 90 furnace	1/1/2007
Q: We just had the HVAC repair here the other day. However the same problem is persisting. The red ... A: Anita, The general error flash codes for the majority of the Freedom 90 series shows 4 flashes as ...
Need help with my Central Heat unit	1/1/2007
Q: I have a Frigidare Gas Heater for my Central Air system, and it stopped working properly last nite. ... A: Bart, The blower you have is a multi-speed unit and runs on one of the lower speeds in heating. The ...
AmerStand Freedom 80 frequently fails to ignite	1/1/2007
Q: Ho I have a American Standard Freedom 80 (single stage?) natural gas furnace. The igniter visibly ... A: Howard, The ignitor sounds to me like it is fine. The either glow or they don't. The graininess is ...
New AC/heating system	12/31/2006
Q: We are remodeling an old house, and replacing the entire AC system. We will need two units; a large ... A: Rob, Make absolutely sure that load calculations are done on the house to determine the correct ...
Strong mildew smell from A/C unit	12/31/2006
Q: Mr. Ballard We have an extremely strong mildew smell when we turn on the A/c unit. We did have a ... A: Brooke, Mildew has to have moisture in order to grow, so there is somewhere in your system that ...
furnace not firing	12/30/2006
Q: My furnace blower starts to run but the electronic igniter just flashes several times (it flashes ... A: George, Turning off the furnace for 10 seconds resets a lockout condition on the circuit board. ...
Emergency heat	12/30/2006
Q: Blake, I also answer questions here on allexpert so I know how many you can get. Mine is not ... A: Tim, Thanks for the time you volunteer - it is because of guys like you that I joined the site. ...
No Heat	12/30/2006
Q: I have a goodman a/c electrical unit,couple days ago turn the heat on Nothing happen, wasn't getting ... A: Jimmie, I am not sure what you mean by an "a/c electrical unit". In an electric heat ONLY with a/c ...
gas furnace	12/30/2006
Q: Lenox GS1103-80 gas furnace. when i turn the heat up after the furnace has been off.befor the fan ... A: David, The boom you hear is being caused by the gas not lighting right away and is called a ...
Gas logs	12/30/2006
Q: I have a set of gas logs that will not light. The pilot light comes on and when released after five ... A: Larry, Gas fireplaces are fairly simple devices. Most just have a thermocouple (or thermopile) and ...
PHILCO GAS FURNANCE	12/29/2006
Q: WE ARE HAVING THE FOLLOWING PROBLEM WITH A PHILCO MODEL# G6RA060C-12 GAS FURNANCE.THE FURNANCE WILL ... A: Melvin, Set the fan switch at the thermostat from AUTO to ON. If the fan runs, the motor is ...
electric baseboard heating	12/28/2006
Q: Blake, My home was built in 1952 and has the original baseboard heating unit still working but old. ... A: Chris, Electric heat is 100fficient, so it doesn't matter a great deal which baseboard heater is ...
new HVAC unit, old one died	12/28/2006
Q: I called a service person to come look at my 18-year-old Carrier high efficiency HVAC unit ... A: Delaina, The price he quoted depends on what is being done. If it is just the outside unit that is ...
house doesn't warm up equally	12/28/2006
Q: Blake....I have a 16 yr old house in Orlando, FL. It has a heat pump/air handler (Trane) which was ... A: Mike, Sorry about being slow in answering your question. My DSL connection at home is down yet ...
smells from vent	12/28/2006
Q: I am a recent homeowner of a townhouse and have noticed that smells (specifically cigarette smoke) ... A: Sarah, I have only run into this problem once before and we found two conditions that were causing ...
electric heater	12/28/2006
Q: I have a electric coleman mobile home furnace, it's blowing cold air, it kicks on when the ... A: Diana, I am sorry, but there is really nothing else that you can do yourself unless you know how to ...
Lennox furnace question	12/27/2006
Q: Recently built a 3100 sqft house. The original HVAC proposal called for a Lennox G51MP-60C-090 ... A: Jim, The only real difference is that the "drive" or blower on the 048 is rated at 4 tons and the ...
Furnace makes buzzing noise	12/27/2006
Q: We live in a new house (built 2005) with up and downstairs furnaces. In the last month, after the ... A: Elizabeth, A buzzing noise from a furnace is fairly common and is usually taken care of by ...
Rudd Furnace Troubleshooting	12/27/2006
Q: What should I do on a Limit Switch Open in my Furnace. My model is (UGPH-10NAMER) and it's a Rudd. ... A: Steven, A limit is a switch designed to open when a temperature gets too high. There are often more ...
hvac damper	12/27/2006
Q: I was trying to move the damper lever and loosened up the nut too much and it fell off. I couldn't ... A: Susan, There should be a joint fairly near the damper location that will allow you to install a new ...
Air Quality Problem	12/26/2006
Q: We have a Heil Gas furnace/ac unit. We change filter frequently w/ disposable filter. We noticed ... A: Murna, We see this problem mostly when our customers have been using candles or burning scented ...
heat	12/26/2006
Q: I currently reside in a house in Central Wisconsin which is built on a slab. I have a forced air ... A: Jaci, There are a lot of ways to go to chase down the problem you describe. The problem you ...
heat pump question	12/26/2006
Q: Have a brand new two ton Westinghouse heat pump. Stupid question. When the pump turns off after ... A: Bob, During a refrigeration (or heat pump) cycle, because of the compressor, there is a high ...
trouble with forced air furnace	12/26/2006
Q: I live in Southern California and have a Gaffers & Sattler natural gas forced air furnace, model ... A: Tommie, Two things - the first is advice about the problem you are having, the second is much more ...
Relay button	12/25/2006
Q: I have a miller oil heater when I push the reset button it flashes and the direction say's that it ... A: Peggy, Turning off the power to the furnace will allow the control to clear the lockout. When you ...
PAYNE HEATER	12/24/2006
Q: I have a rental I bought as an investment. It has a fairly new PAYNE HEATER. The MODEL # ... A: Ian, A twinned furnace is one that is connected with ducting to another furnace and the two must ...
heat pump	12/24/2006
Q: it is the outside unit that keeps running. The model is a Rheem model# rpca-018jaq mfd 4/83. Will ... A: Terri, The most common cause of an outdoor unit that will not shut off is a stuck contactor. There ...
No Heat	12/24/2006
Q: Goodman, air forced gas furnace, model GDS80703ANA, two years old with two year old digital ... A: Bob, Check on the inside of the panel for your blower compartment for a label containing any ...
Quiet AC	12/23/2006
Q: Blake - thanks very much for the swift reply. I will certainly try the filter. This is one of many ... A: Mark, Usually the type of system that you are describing has an integrated return grille and unit ...
Quiet AC	12/23/2006
Q: THe unit has a separate AC system for each floor. The downstairs system has the air handeler in the ... A: Mark, About the only things that you can do to quiet that type of air handler are to use a pleated ...
thermostat wiring	12/23/2006
Q: I have a Hunter thermostat model 44760 replacing a honeywell T8411R. The heat pump stopped heating ... A: Dennis, Unfortunately, I can't find the installation instructions for the Hunter thermostat on ...
Bathroom Vent	12/22/2006
Q: What would be the maximum safe & practical length that I could run with a metal vent line from a ... A: Thomas, The length of the duct for the bathroom vent would depend on the capacity and ...
Identifying the brand by serial /model NOs.	12/22/2006
Q: I have a heating/a.c. unit in the attic and a condenser unit outside. I can't find any name on the ... A: Chuck, You don't identify if the unit in the attic is a furnace or it is a heat pump air handler. ...
heat pump	12/22/2006
Q: We have two heat pumps, one for our downstairs and one for our upstairs. The upstairs unit keeps ... A: Terri, This could be a defective thermostat, shorted control wiring, a stuck contactor in the ...
EMM-3 failing?	12/22/2006
Q: We have a 3-ZONE EMM-3 that controls 2-active zones for cooling and heating. Our Honeywell ... A: Ash, Here is the link to the Zone Panel data booklet: ...
outside condenser unit	12/22/2006
Q: Good evening, I live in Houston Texas and I have a question about my outside condenser unit. Its an ... A: Dave, I am assuming the situation you describe is the condenser fan motor that is turning on/off. ...
ignitor on armstrong furnace	12/21/2006
Q: Just replaced ignitor on Armstrong G1N80BU125D20C-1A and notice ignitor stays on during heating ... A: Bob, It is not proper for an ignitor to stay on during the heating cycle. Some ignitors are ...
No heat	12/21/2006
Q: I have a Janitrol GMP075-4 located in Southern Calif. Installed in 95 w/ no problems until now. Fan ... A: Peter, Since the flame is not lighting at all then the code could not be caused by the flame sensor ...
Furnace bangs on ignition	12/21/2006
Q: From what i can tell my problem is the same as this one handled by Expert: Bill Brainard Date: ... A: Jim, The bang is called a "delayed ignition". It happens when the gas is not lighting right away ...
Trane xl1800 Condensing unit	12/20/2006
Q: The cap that is smallest is 10uf. The fan does not read bak with any windings, I am suspicious that ... A: James, If you have infinite (open) resistance (ohms) through the windings of the fan motor (and the ...
Gas furnace valve Solenoid Humming	12/20/2006
Q: We have an older Thermaflow Gas powered furnace. Model 1202010. When the furnace starts the solenoid ... A: Paul, I am not sure if you got the part number correct. It appears to me that there is an extra "5" ...
Trane Heat Pump Trips Breaker	12/20/2006
Q: I have 2 trane xl1100 heat pumps in our 10 year old house in NC. Problem is one of the heat pumps, ... A: Brian, There are a few different things that could cause what you are experiencing. Here are the ...
Rheem Won't Fire up	12/19/2006
Q: The model# is RGDG- 07NAMGR , Serial # CW5D307 F27940865. So do you still think it's the ignitor?Our ... A: Mona, Your furnace originally came with a standing pilot, but most were upgraded due to a problem ...
Data on HVAC performance / heat-air	12/19/2006
Q: My Carrier Installer has agreed to take another look and says maybe the expansion valve is not fully ... A: Larry, It is possible that the expansion valve is not working correctly. What you have described is ...
Rheem Won't Fire up	12/19/2006
Q: Our heater is a Rheem Model# EZ 1625. It is gas and it won't ingnite. The motor turns on and I can ... A: Mona, EZ-1625 is the model of the air filter rack. The furnace model number is on a tag inside the ...
hvac zoning	12/18/2006
Q: I have a residential zoned HVAC system. The control panel is Honeywell model Emm-3U. I want to ... A: Dan, Yes. The zone panel you have is universal as far as the type of thermostat used. In the ...
Installing replacement motor on heat pump	12/17/2006
Q: Ballard, I am looking for resources that can guide me in the installation of an electric motor for ... A: Jose, I can't see the label on the new motor in your pictures, but most motors that have a black ...
electric furnace trouble	12/17/2006
Q: We have a Coleman furnace w/ air cond . ,about 5 yrs old .Four weeks ago , the Blower motor burned ... A: Brain, The first one probably just failed, but the blower is wired wrong now. That is the only way ...
Am. Std. UD100C960K nat. gas furnace	12/17/2006
Q: Our new furnace has worked fine for 4 years, then our regions power went out. I got a Honda 3000w ... A: Chris, The generator may not be providing a proper ground or neutral, or the neutral and hot lines ...
Data on HVAC performance / heat-air	12/16/2006
Q: I have a new 4 ton Carrier split unit. In heating mode with outside temp of 55 degrees F and ... A: Larry, You should see 20-30 degrees in temperature rise on the return vs. supply air register ...
Trane XE 80- trouble lighting	12/16/2006
Q: HELP- we have a Trane XE 80 bought & installed in 1995. We have been in the house last 7 years, ... A: Kathy, What you are describing is a flame sensing problem. After three tries the ignition locks out ...
Filter replacement	12/15/2006
Q: I have a Goodman GMP125-4 furnace, I just moved into this house, Where is the access, at the ... A: Jerry, Filters get installed at the return air grille (hinged and opens to hold a filter), inside ...
Supply line size	12/14/2006
Q: I have a 3 ton natural gas fired unit. I have 1/2" pipe running about 30'. Is my supply line big ... A: Ken, Gas pipe is sized on what the BTU load is for the appliance(s) being supplied. You will need ...
Themostat	12/14/2006
Q: I have a Janistol system with a Janistol HPT18-60 thermostat. The Janistol thermostat has seven ... A: Ken, There are a few problems here. The thermostat model number you included is not good. It is ...
Exhaust ventilation	12/13/2006
Q: I recently bought a house with some ventilation "issues". Firstly, the main upstairs bathroom has a ... A: Daniel, Adding a bathroom exhaust fan is not terribly difficult, but cutting through brick can be. ...
Furnace Heat Problem	12/13/2006
Q: Greetings. My gas furnace and thermostat do not click on and start when the temperature goes below ... A: John, Resetting the power to the furnace is also resetting a lockout on your ignition. Next time ...
heat pump question	12/12/2006
Q: Can you run a heat pump in A/C mode all year round? We are located near Charlotte, NC. I would say ... A: Mike, Air conditioners (and heat pumps in cooling mode) are not designed to run in low outdoor ...
Rheem heating and air	12/12/2006
Q: please, last May we purchased a new home in Carson City Nevada, this is the northern part of the ... A: Lacy, It is unfortunate that you have had so many problems with your system and the contractors. To ...
heat won't turn on	12/12/2006
Q: It's a TRANE. Hopefully that helps. When it is working properly, the heat turns on while the switch ... A: Janet, Without know even what kind (function, not brand) of system you have I just have no place to ...
A/C not cooling/heating all rooms	12/11/2006
Q: I had my home built about three years ago and this is my problem. My system doesn't heat or cool ... A: Randy, What you describe is a classic problem when the ducts are either not installed properly or ...
how to make my air con better	12/11/2006
Q: thanks alex A: Alex, There will be nothing you can adjust to increase performance of your air conditioners. The ...
heat won't turn on	12/10/2006
Q: I'm having problems with my central heating. When we raise the thermostat, the heat will not turn on ... A: Janet, The ability to turn on the fan at the thermostat just means that the fan works okay and that ...
Gas Furnace Problem	12/10/2006
Q: I have a 395CAV Up flow Gas Furnace from Bryant. It has been working great until this past week. ... A: Joshua, Replacing the thermostat would not likely help here. You are having a problem with flame ...
Heat Pump - Aux heat problem	12/10/2006
Q: Just noticed that our Tempstar heat pump is making an intermittent loud electrical buzzing noise in ... A: Jeff, The aux. heat light will not light properly unless there is a "common" wire connected at the ...
heat pump	12/10/2006
Q: How many squar feet per ton will a heat pump cover? A: Bruce, I have seen heat pumps handle from 200 sq. feet per ton to almost 800 sq. feet per ton. The ...
Furnace cycling	12/10/2006
Q: I have a natural gas forced air furnace with an electric igniter. I replaced the old thermostat a ... A: Ryan, What you describe usually indicates a problem with a wiring connection or with a circuit ...
heat pump	12/9/2006
Q: My fan in the air handler doe not work, the unit is less than a year old, it is a goodman unit 2,5 ... A: JC, Since your A/C system is less than one year old it is under both parts and labor warranty. Any ...
A/C unit size and age	12/9/2006
Q: My mother's a/c unit is ancient and needs to be replaced. Before I get quotes on this, I would like ... A: Tim, The a/c system is a two ton, but it would be a huge mistake to assume that the old one is the ...
noise in motor	12/9/2006
Q: I have a Bryant hvac system. Recently, I noticed a slight screeching noise coming from the outside ... A: Mat, I am not sure if you are describing the draft inducer motor for the flue on a furnace or if ...
Routine maintenance on a gas furnace	12/9/2006
Q: Ballard, We have two Carrier Weathermaker 9200, fixed capacity condensing gas furnaces in our home ... A: John, Carrier recommends that the furnaces be checked each year prior to the heating season. The ...
Duct Cleaning, Vapor Barrier	12/9/2006
Q: Two questions: Just purchased a 1952 house, and have moisture in home and foul odor from HVAC ... A: Terry, Here are a few links that you should look at prior to having ducts cleaned: ...
York vs. Fraser-Johnston?	12/8/2006
Q: I hired in a guy almost 9 weeks ago to install a new furnace and A/C. The written contract states a ... A: Holly, Fraser-Johnston is a division of York, but it is usually considered a brand of lesser ...
heating/A/C venting	12/8/2006
Q: We are going to start on a new home in the Tennessee mountains this coming year and have the option ... A: Chris, Where you are in Florida you pretty much have to use ceiling vents because your home is ...
Ruud Filter Location	12/8/2006
Q: I need help locating the air filter on a Ruud forced-air furnace, model# UGDA-075A-CR. It seems like ... A: Mark, Filters get installed at the return air grille (hinged and opens to hold a filter), inside ...
airhandler	12/7/2006
Q: New house in south west Florida with a Rheem electric heat and a/c model BHC horizontal unit Went ... A: Jack, Water only comes out secondary drains when: 1. The primary drain is not run correctly ...
return air vent - moving location	12/7/2006
Q: I just bought a house and there is a return air vent that sits visibly when you walk in that I would ... A: Renata, Many people feel it makes for a more comfortable system to have multiple return air ...
Heat Pump System Not Performing	12/7/2006
Q: I have had another company's technician come out and look at the system and they are telling me that ... A: Arturo, When the tech tells you there is "pressure equalization", I am not sure if he means that ...
Humidity problems	12/6/2006
Q: how do we get rid of all the moisture in our cabin at the lake? Actually it's a 1400sq.ft bungalow ... A: Bryan, Dehumidification is about the only way to control your humidity problem, and the use of a ...
Furnace won't turn on	12/6/2006
Q: We have a RUUD Silhouette Model number UGDG05EAUER gas furnace with electric ignitor. It was ... A: Jennie, When a thermostat operates properly and calls for heat it does nothing more than connect ...
Electric forced air furnace problem	12/6/2006
Q: When I turn on my furnace it goes up to the set temperature and turns off. A few minutes later it ... A: Josie, Is it the actual heat that keeps turning back on and off or is it just the fan? If it is ...
thermostat control arrow under lid	12/6/2006
Q: I have a regular therostat that controls my furance. The kind you have to turn to set. Under the lid ... A: Brad, What you are describing is the setting for the heat anticipator. It has nothing to do with ...
Honeywell Intermittent Pilot Control	12/6/2006
Q: I understand that the S86 is obsolete but if I can still find it on EBAY can the S86F or S86H be ... A: Gary, Unfortunately, because the part is obsolete I don't have access to the timings and other ...
american standard freedom 80	12/5/2006
Q: I have a American Standard freedom 80 gas furnace. I have 4 blinking lights on the control panel in ... A: Daniel, The Freedom 80 is just a model series that includes a lot of different furnaces. If you ...
HONEYWELL MINIZONE EMM-3	12/5/2006
Q: I HAD NEW FURNACE WITH EMM-3.SOMETIME THE RED LIGHT FROM EMM-3 CONTINUES TO FLASH AND THE AIR COMING ... A: Howie, Here is a link to the manual for your zone control panel. Download and save it so you have ...
Honeywell Intermittent Pilot Control	12/5/2006
Q: The Honeywell S86E Intermittent Pilot Control on my Lenox furnace needs replaced. I have been ... A: Gary, The S86 series is old and "obsolete" and has been replaced by the Honeywell S8610U series ...
bad odor from new evap coil on AC	12/5/2006
Q: 6 months ago a dealer replaced our old ac unit (no odor, smelled great, but coils were icing up) ... A: Teresa, A toxin is a poison that is produced by some kind of organism, and there is nothing in a ...
Air Filter	12/4/2006
Q: This is a little embarrassing but I recently purchased a condo after living in apartments all of my ... A: Kevin, Filters get installed at the return air grille (hinged and opens to hold a filter), inside ...
Burners cuts out.	12/4/2006
Q: everything seem to work fine but when thermostat is on, the blower fan comes up then the burners ... A: Martin, When you describe the "blower fan comes up" I assume you mean the small draft inducer fan ...
Heating vents blowing cold air	12/4/2006
Q: I really need help!!My heating upstairs is blowing cold (luke warm)air from all the vents. I have ... A: Ann, Either the fan is stuck on and is blowing unheated air or your furnace is not firing and is ...
Air Conditioner Installation	12/4/2006
Q: I am about to install split system, inverter type, wall mounted air conditioners to my bedrooms and ... A: H, I am not sure what an "inverter type" is, but I think you are describing what is commonly called ...
inside fan won't turn off	12/4/2006
Q: I would appreciate it if you can help me fix my issue. I have a Carrier furnace model 58STA070. ... A: Daniel, The fan in the outdoor unit has nothing to do with the fan in the furnace - the two are not ...
heat/air unit	12/1/2006
Q: our trane central unit has started doing something strange. in between cycles it sounds as if it's ... A: Brenda, Are you concerned with the indoor or outdoor unit? What is the noise like - the blower ...
Thermostat replacement	12/1/2006
Q: My old Airtemp/Chrysler works still works great and and has plenty of output for the San Diego ... A: Bill, With only two wires (and without adding any more wires) you are limited to programmable ...
Carrier Gas Furnace Model 58GC100322	12/1/2006
Q: I turn on the heater from the thermostat, the burner turn on for few minutes then the blower goes on ... A: Tuan, Make sure that all air registers are open and not blocked by furniture or drapes. Clean or ...
Payne fan trouble	12/1/2006
Q: I have an older Payne pilot light natural gas furnace AC. It got cold 3 days ago and we used it for ... A: Bob, The transformer is not bad because the furnace is responding to a call for heat from the ...
Rheem Gas Pack	12/1/2006
Q: We recently had our unit serviced and then turned it on for the first time last night. The unit ... A: Jennifer, The model should be RRGH and should end in JKR. That unit was manufactured with an ECM ...
force air furnace problem	11/30/2006
Q: Blake The furnace is a Lennox G10Q3-137. The air flow seems to be good.It appears that during the ... A: Gene, If I understand you correctly - at times the furnace cycles on and off in a couple of ...
New heater systems makes high squeal noise when operating	11/30/2006
Q: We just put in a new HVAC system and hear a high squeal noise when the furnace is running. It only ... A: Marciela, A high pitched squeal is not a normal sound made by a furnace. When compared to older ...
Noisy heat pump	11/30/2006
Q: We have a 2 ton heat pump (York Affinity 3S) installed in June by a local contractor. Cooling was ... A: Sebastien, Your line set is so short that it is extremely unlikely that the line is trapping oil. ...
Ruud Central Air for mobile home	11/30/2006
Q: I bought a manufactured home and the first time I turned heat on I just got air and it wasn't warm. ... A: Buck, You should have a heat pump that provides both air conditioning and heat, and would only need ...
Heater meaking high pitch squesling noise	11/29/2006
Q: I have TRANE XL80 Two stage High efficiency installed in garage. It makes high pitch squealing noise ... A: Dinesh, It is strange that you are getting a noise even when the system is not running. You need to ...
force air furnace problem	11/29/2006
Q: I have a Lennox furnace that is 30 years old which I know will have to be replaced shortly,but in ... A: Gene, Most furnace fan cycling problems are either related to airflow or to a fan or ignition ...
installation	11/29/2006
Q: I am installing a new furnace and water heater. The furnace is a 50,000 BTU 80% efficient catagory 1 ... A: Lynn, The flues cannot be run together in 3". The size of the common vent pipe needed is determined ...
Follow-up questions/comments	11/28/2006
Q: Blake...thank you much for all of your insight. One more question. Would it be possible for you to ... A: Cory, The Honeywell VR8200 series should replace your valve with no problems, but you will need to ...
janitrol gmp100-3	11/28/2006
Q: I have a 93' janitrol gmp100-3 that will not engage. When the unit is turned on, the fan will go, ... A: Shannon, I can't really help by telling you where the wire goes or if it should go to ground ...
siegler	11/28/2006
Q: My father has a Siegler Mark III Gas heating system wall furnace Dual blower, model #8565. When the ... A: Landon, It isn't likely that you are going to be able to find parts specifically for that furnace. ...
Air Conditioning Insulation	11/28/2006
Q: My air/heater unit is in my garage. I put my dog in the garage lat night, and he ripped out the ... A: Laurel, I am not sure that I follow what you are describing. Insulation is on the inside of the ...
Chrysler Airtemp Furnace	11/27/2006
Q: I am in South San Francisco working in a 1964 condo. The Chrysler Airtemp furnace has no numbers on ... A: Diane, I happened on your rating response today - unfortunately they do not email me ratings and I ...
Follow-up questions/comments	11/27/2006
Q: Below is my original questions and Expert reply. I now have a follow-up question. Subject ... A: Cory, There will be a small screw cap on the valve that you can use to adjust the pilot flame. Be ...
Outside heat pump units problems	11/27/2006
Q: We have a 1992 Rheem 3 ton heat pump. We have been having problems in that the outside unit will not ... A: Jeremy, You can replace just the outdoor section if you want to - as long as the indoor section has ...
Gas Furnace	11/27/2006
Q: My upstairs tenants had heat set to 73 it started getting cold in the house so they turned it up to ... A: Jon, Flipping the power switch is probably resetting an ignition lockout on the furnace. Lockouts ...
Heat pump questions	11/26/2006
Q: I had the defrost board replaced a couple of weeks ago. Now its a crap shoot whether the system ... A: Bob, I am sorry that you are having so much trouble with your system. Rheem units are rated as one ...
panasonic wall unit air con 9000 btu	11/26/2006
Q: i live in thailand and bought this unit about 1 year ago. the room the air con is is only 8 feet by ... A: Jii, It sounds to me like the unit you have is large enough for the room. If you want to check to ...
Rheem heater does not go on	11/26/2006
Q: I have an old (25 yeras) Rheem heater that does not go on after the pilot is on for a long time. I ... A: A.T., If you can measure 24 volts at the terminals on the gas valve when the thermostat calls for ...
Clicking Noise in Outdoor Heat pUmp Unit	11/25/2006
Q: Is it possible that the system is low on refrigerant and the noise I hear is the liquid refrigerant ... A: Gary, When a system is low on refrigerant and the liquid is flashing to vapor before the expansion ...
noise from heat pump	11/25/2006
Q: Blake, I should have noted the noise was not an issue when the system was installed in May thru ... A: Carter, Not always, but sometimes strange noises can signal that something is wrong. Unfortunately, ...
replacing 38 year old Lennox furnace	11/25/2006
Q: I plan to get a two stage furnace. If my heat loss is 54000, should the BTU output of the low stage ... A: Jane, Variable speed is a nice feature to have for non-air conditioning air circulation (it does it ...
Heat Pump blower runs almost constantly	11/24/2006
Q: Our central A/C works perfectly, but when we switch over to heat pump, the indoor blower fan runs ... A: E.J., The problem you describe sounds like either a problem with the fan relay or a problem with ...
heat pump w/air handler	11/24/2006
Q: The fan in our heat pump has not been kicking on automatically and therefore has been freezing up. ... A: Shirley, What you describe sounds like a bad wiring connection. Turn the power off to the outdoor ...
Lennox furnace	11/23/2006
Q: I have a Lennox G25Q2-50-2 gas furnace with a Johnson controller led read out. The green led reads ... A: Gordon, The problem you describe could be caused by a variety of different things. I would suspect ...
Clicking Noise in Outdoor Heat pUmp Unit	11/23/2006
Q: I have a Carrier Split System Heat Pump. I live in Salem CT. The previous homeowner had the Heat ... A: Gary, The only thing that I can think of that would cause a clicking noise near an expansion valve ...
noise from heat pump	11/23/2006
Q: Just had a split system replaced after 27 years. New installation included a Carrier Inifinty 4 ton ... A: Carter, I am assuming that by "gas lines" you mean the refrigerant lines and not the gas line to ...
Heil Gas fired forced air furnace	11/23/2006
Q: Model # NUGKK075DG01, S/N 73418600 Burners cycle on and off during heat cycle. Blower continures to ... A: Wayne, This is not normal. This kind of a problem usually has to do with a lack of adequate ...
small janitrol furnace-filter	11/23/2006
Q: my question is about filter replacement for my sister's furnace. where do i install it!? its a ... A: David, The filter is located at one of the following places: 1. The return grille if it hinges ...
goodman CPE24-1AB	11/22/2006
Q: I have a goodman 2 ton split heat pump w/ air handler. I live in N.W. Georgia. It has been working ... A: Mike, The problem you describe sounds more like: 1. a problem with the refrigerant level in your ...
Heater blowing cold air...	11/22/2006
Q: ------------------------------------------- I'm sorry I was just frustrated and must a forgot to ... A: Erwin, GAMA is the Gas Appliance Manufacturer's Association safety sticker. Somewhere in the burner ...
A/C Heater makes a high pitch squealing noise	11/22/2006
Q: I have been searching the Internet for an answer to why our a/c heater is making a high pitch ... A: Julianne, The type of noise you describe is usually made by a bearing that is failing on a motor. ...
Heater blowing cold air...	11/22/2006
Q: I've had this problem now for about a week, when the thermostat was turn to "Auto" at 78 degrees ... A: Erwin, Setting the fan switch to ON will only run the fan - cold air blows out of the register. ...
heat and blower will not shut off	11/21/2006
Q: I have a 4-ton carrier system with no inside air handler; it is an all in one unit for a ... A: Eric, The unit you have is called a "package" unit and yours is a package air conditioner. If you ...
westinghouse gas furnace with heat pump	11/21/2006
Q: Just had a westinghouse fg6rc gas furnace with a heat pump installed. It is very noisy and the ... A: Bill, The first question I would ask is if the heat pump is heating the home adequately in spite of ...
Heat pump will not defrost	11/21/2006
Q: Blake, My Carrier heat pump over 10 years old no longer will defrost. Had worked fine until this ... A: Mark, It is very unlikely that the board for the indoor section could have anything to do with the ...
noise from the furnace	11/17/2006
Q: when the furnace turns on it makes this large bang noise twise.its being doing that for the last few ... A: njoroge waweru, The bang noise is a delayed ignition of the burners and is dangerous. It could ...
Lennox Merit Furnace not heating	11/17/2006
Q: First time this season trying to get heater to turn on. I hear the "click" when I flip thermostat ... A: Brian, There are several types of ignitions used in that series of Lennox furnaces, so I am not ...
Payne Furnace	11/17/2006
Q: My 10 yr old furnace functioned last night but today only the blower works. I went through the four ... A: Paul, If I understand correctly what you wrote, the furnace works properly with the self tests, but ...
Heat Pump System Not Performing	11/16/2006
Q: I have a Trane 1100 heat pump system. Last winter, the system stopped heating, running only on ... A: Arturo, A bad reversing valve left unrepaired will probably lead to compressor failure, but that is ...
Furnace Air Duct Flow Rate Check	11/16/2006
Q: Blake, some rooms in my partial basement, single floor ranch home are warm and others are cold. I ... A: Nelson, I am not aware of any kind of a simple anemometer that would be useful or accurate enough ...
Central AC	11/15/2006
Q: There is only one place to have a AC unit. Is it possible to build the porch and set the unit on ... A: Holly, It is okay to have the a/c unit disconnected and sitting outdoors as long as valves were ...
AC/Heat Combo Units	11/15/2006
Q: Where can I buy new AC/Heat combo units like you find in value line Motels/Hotels? I am looking for ... A: Victor, That type of unit is called a PTAC (Package Terminal Air Conditioner) or PTHP (Package ...
FURNACE LIGHTING PROBLEMS	11/15/2006
Q: My lennox g26q3 furnace quit cycling in the middle of the night.I could not make it restart, the ... A: Randy, From what I remember, that furnace uses a spark ignition, but there are a couple of ...
Rudd 90 plus Furnace Burner Problems	11/14/2006
Q: The tech came back to check the pressure. Inlet side of valve is 8 inches. He tried to adjust the ... A: Dino, The pressure would be the most likely cause or this type of a problem, but the outlet for the ...
heatpump/furnace	11/13/2006
Q: i have a heat pump with a gas furnace.it does warm the house,but feels like cool air is blowing most ... A: John, Heat pumps produce cooler air than a gas furnace. Because of the lower air temp and the small ...
furnace cycles	11/13/2006
Q: My Armstrong Ultra SX 80 sometimes runs fine but usually it cycles continually. When calling for ... A: Gordo, The control board options are the time delay OFF settings for the fan. They determine how ...
Rudd 90 plus Furnace Burner Problems	11/13/2006
Q: I have a ten year old gas furnace (Rudd 90 Plus). When there is a call for heat, the induced draft ... A: Dino, The problem you describe could be caused by the things you have already replaced except for ...
NO AUTOMAIC FAN OPERATION	11/12/2006
Q: I HAVE A OLD RUDD FURNACE AGE UNKNOWN WE TURNED ON LAST NIGHT AND HAD NO AUTO FAN OPERATION THE ... A: Jim, The problem is being caused by a fan control that is not telling the fan to run. A limit is ...
Amana HTM Plus Furnace	11/12/2006
Q: We have a Amana HTM Plus Furnace, Model# EGHW100DB3 that the blower won't turn on automatically. If ... A: Mearle, Amana was purchased by Goodman Mfg. and their standard response for parts or support on the ...
Trane Air conditioner	11/12/2006
Q: I have had this Trane A/C for about 1 1/2 years. It ran fine the first six months. We turned it ... A: Charisse, The problem you describe could be caused by a control problem, a loose wire, a compressor ...
HVAC system will not come on.	11/11/2006
Q: I have a central air system w/unit outside and furnace in the attic. I used the air conditioning all ... A: Glen, If the fan won't turn on at the thermostat then there is probably a lack of voltage at the ...
replacing 38 year old Lennox furnace	11/11/2006
Q: I live in Boulder, CO. The house was built in 1968; it is 2 stories; 950 sq.ft. on 2nd story, 1103 ... A: Jane, You have a lot of really good questions - many of which only an HVAC contractor that can see ...
Natural gas wall furnace	11/11/2006
Q: Hello Blake-This is an old natural gas wall furnace that has a Robertshaw 7000 Unitrol valve-the ... A: Bob, The problem you describe sounds like a limit is tripping somewhere else on the furnace. I know ...
Heat Pump won't defrost	11/10/2006
Q: Blake, Hi, you helped me identify a stuck contactor on my heat pump about 2 weeks ago and I changed ... A: Jason, Frost is normal on the outdoor coil of a heat pump when the temperature is lower than around ...
poor heat pump/ac performance	11/10/2006
Q: The equipment is Lennox HP22-411 3-1/2 ton heat pump with a scroll compressor. I began having ... A: Larry, Look for a restricted liquid line drier and try using a contact digital thermometer - both ...
Heil Villager Series Air Conditioning Unit	11/10/2006
Q: We are thinking of buying a home in Franklin, NJ. The attic was converted into a double bedroom. It ... A: John, I am sorry but I don't have access to Heil literature until next week and I am not familiar ...
Q's about replacing my furnace/AC	11/9/2006
Q: I have to replace my 17-year-old gas furnace and I want to replace the central air unit at the same ... A: Jane, The first thing that any contractor should do when providing a proposal to replace heating or ...
tappan heater	11/9/2006
Q: I have an older forced air heater, this year I have not been able to get it to turn on. I lit the ... A: Jason, Here are some things to try: Make sure that the knob on the gas valve is in the ON position ...
relocating an air handler in a basement	11/9/2006
Q: Please Help. I am in the beginning stages of a basement remodel and asked my contractor if the air ... A: Kathy, You are correct in fearing that there may be some damage to your unit if the situation you ...
gas heat/elec air central unit	11/9/2006
Q: when I turn on thermostat, nothing happens, like it is not getting power, I checked fuses outside ... A: Shelly, If you have a split system with electric cooling outside and a gas heating furnace inside ...
furnace w/air conditioner	11/8/2006
Q: We have an old air conditioner in our house that we have had repairs done to over the years. The ... A: Sharon, Two things appear to be getting confused in your question. One is the issue of icing and ...
noise in air conditioning systems	11/8/2006
Q: im currently doing an assignment for university, it involves identifying 5 different causes of noise ... A: Jonny, Noise in an HVAC system pretty much comes down to two root causes - air noise or mechanical ...
clicking noise in my heat pump	11/8/2006
Q: I just replaced the thermostat that controls a Trane heat pump. When the temperature to which the ... A: David, There are so many different sources that could cause the clicking noise that it is difficult ...
A/C in winter	11/7/2006
Q: I live in Alberta, Canada. My business condo is surrounded on 3 sides by other condos. It can get ... A: Todd, You have several options to properly handle your situation. I am guessing that you have a ...
Rheem a/c unit	11/7/2006
Q: This is a rheem 2 1/2 ton unit. Voltage is 220 to contactor unit, however when pressing down on the ... A: Gary, What you describe could mean a bad contactor, bad start capacitor, bad compressor or bad ...
adding heating vent	11/7/2006
Q: I need to heat a former garage (now an office). The heating conduit for the livingroom (above the ... A: C, If your garage is well insulated then you may not end up starving the living room for heat by ...
Heat pump questions	11/7/2006
Q: Blake, thanks for your response. The guy came out again and moved the jumper pins to a different ... A: Bob, Most defrost boards are in the 30, 60, 90 minute increments. Some have different timings; it ...
A/C pipe insulation	11/6/2006
Q: We live in eastern WA so our climate goes from very cold to very hot. We had A/C added to our house ... A: Gary, I am glad that you asked this question. The tubing insulation sold in the home improvement ...
replace heating sys and add cental air	11/6/2006
Q: How do you choose the manufacturer. I no of brands like Trane ,Carrier, Rheem but I just learned ... A: AJ, You are going to get a very wide opinion of brands depending on who you ask. Mostly, it is just ...
Whistle in ductwork	11/6/2006
Q: I have a Lennox furnace with zone heating (one zone for upstairs and one for the finished basement) ... A: Erik, There should be no gaps in ductwork - especially in a utility room. The room could over ...
Propane or Oil or Electric	11/5/2006
Q: I live in southwest Virginia, have a 50 year old house, with a 30 year old oil furnace and 30 year ... A: Zeke, It is almost guaranteed that you will have to upgrade your electrical panel if you install a ...
furnace	11/5/2006
Q: my furnace does not cycle properly. it goes through one or two cycles and then the ignitor glows the ... A: Bill, Although it is safe for me to assume that you have a furnace with a hot surface ignition, ...
Buzzing noise coming from furnace w/ac	11/5/2006
Q: When the temp dropped recently the unit started making a faint buzzing sound, however wher the ... A: Russell, You don't write which unit (piece of equipment) the buzzing noise is coming from - the ...
replacing thermostat	11/5/2006
Q: To answer your questions: No cooling system Gas Furnace Inside wiring on old thermostat: 3 wires ... A: Sasha, Based on the terminal setup at the furnace that you gave me you do not need to use the wire ...
Air Handler cycles on/off in heat mode	11/4/2006
Q: I have a Carrier heat pump/ air handler. Air Handler model FA1ANA024, roughly 14 year old. Live in ... A: Joe, I think you are on the right track. A problem such as you describe is usually either a control ...
janitrol furnace	11/4/2006
Q: I just replaced the control board on a janitrol gas furnace. Initially, it fired up and seemed to ... A: Curt, I would look very closely at the pressure switch. You can put your meter on the terminals ...
cleaning the chimney	11/3/2006
Q: If i have a oil burner, do i have to have a chimney sweep clean the chimney or is my regular furnace ... A: Mabel, Your heating service technician should be able to set things up to where the system burns as ...
a/c line set leak	11/3/2006
Q: I had the installer come out and he told me it needed refrigerant which he added and charged me for. ... A: Art, The contractors that told you evacuating the system will not do the job are correct. The ...
my furnace	11/3/2006
Q: Why is my furnace only blowing cool air, and only staying on for a few seconds? A: Kristin, I would like to help you, but I don't have enough information. Please respond and include: ...
AC	11/3/2006
Q: I have two units one upstairs, and one downstairs. Our Downstairs unit Blower will not turn off. It ... A: John, You didn't include information on what kind of units you have. I would need to know if they ...
A/C venting	11/2/2006
Q: I am a home inspector and have a client whose ac is blowing 80% of airflow to bedrooms and only ... A: Adam, Here is how we determine how much air should go to a room. 1. We perform a load calculation ...
noise from air ducts	11/2/2006
Q: The noise starts once the van sounds as if it turns off. What happens (I think) is that once the ... A: David, The noise and conditions you describe sound like the noise of metal contracting as it cools. ...
Furnace doesn't start	11/2/2006
Q: Switched over to heat earlier this week and it wouldn't turn on, so I thought the thermostat might ... A: Mike, I don't believe there is any kind of reset on the Payne PH10 series outdoor unit. Even if ...
a/c duct work	11/1/2006
Q: I currently have a unit in my basement and all the duct work is run down there and ported up to the ... A: mlhamp, Unless the system and ductwork in your home were both sized originally to be able to carry ...
leaking AC	11/1/2006
Q: the water we are getting is usually at the end of the summer when we havn't used the AC in a bit. ... A: Cliff and Tina, I would guess that something happened around the end of the cooling season that ...
water in ducts	11/1/2006
Q: I have not run my air conditioner in about 6 weeks. I noticed recently I had water dripping out of ... A: Kristy, When the drain pipe to outside (called the primary drain) gets plugged there is a second ...
Gas Furnace/Air Conditioner	11/1/2006
Q: label says its an Williams Brand, bought house new only 9 yrs old, blower comes on, the pilot lites, ... A: Beverly, Williams makes commercial and residential products - their residential web page is here: ...
Trane Heat pump	10/31/2006
Q: I have a Trane XE1000 heat pump. The heat and the A/c will not work only the fan comes on when the ... A: B, It sounds like you have a power problem at the outdoor unit. Find the breaker for the unit and ...
Noise from Air Conditioning Unit	10/31/2006
Q: I live in an upstairs condo in California and have a electric heat pump air conditioning unit. ... A: Bridget, To eliminate the possibility of your system being the source for the noise switch your ...
Replacing furnace: what to chose.	10/31/2006
Q: I just got around to finish my research and to order the furnace. Now, I discovered new challenge. I ... A: Lionel, Furnaces will have two ratings you need to watch. The first is the btu output - it should ...
Rheem Criterion ll Gas furnace	10/31/2006
Q: I can answer some of your questions but not all. Here goes: It's just a Rheem Criterion ll furnace ... A: Pattie, Thanks for the response and information - it really helps. You found the model number for ...
Heat Pump outdoor fan and compressor won't turn off	10/30/2006
Q: Blake, Thanks so much!! I am an engineer and am comfortable fixing this myself if you can walk me ... A: Jason, The contactor is what turns the compressor on and off and resembles a relay, but with ...
walkin cooler	10/30/2006
Q: blake, i am building a 10'x10' walkin cooler. i was told that i could by a window air cond. unit and ... A: Mark, I kind of doubt that would work. The problem with window air conditioners is that they are ...
Heat Pump outdoor fan and compressor won't turn off	10/30/2006
Q: Blake, Hi, I hope you can help. I have a basic heat pump that has been running in heat mode for ... A: Jason, It is a good thing that you have turned off the power to the outside unit. It sounds like ...
ac on in house but fan not running outside	10/30/2006
Q: turned on ac. heard humming noise. turned unit off. turned back on. fan didn't run and no more ... A: Larry, It sounds like your outdoor fan motor is bad. Although it could be just a capacitor also. If ...
Heat pump questions	10/29/2006
Q: First, 2 ton Durogard (Rheem) unit, South Carolina. Heat pump/Air handler combo. First question, I ... A: Bob, Thermostatic expansion valves control the amount of refrigerant that is allowed to flow ...
replacing thermostat	10/29/2006
Q: I just bought a honeywell RTH230B programmable electronic thermostat. I previously had a honeywell ... A: Sasha, I can help you with the wiring for the new thermostat, but I will need some more ...
noise from air ducts	10/29/2006
Q: let me start by saying my wife and I will be forever grateful if yoy solve this problem. We've now ... A: David, Does the noise occur if you run the fan only? (Set the thermostat heat/cool to OFF and the ...
AC/Heat For Garage	10/29/2006
Q: I recently had a 24' X 30' garage/workshop built (insulated and sheetrocked). I want to heat and ... A: Ray, I can give you some general advice, but you should really talk to a qualified contractor in ...
leaking AC	10/28/2006
Q: Two part question. We bought a new house about 4 yrs ago. We had ventilation problems in our attic ... A: Cliff and Tina, For adequate attic ventilation there is a calculation for the amount of air you ...
Goodman ignition sequence	10/28/2006
Q: Blake, I have a Goodman GMS80904BNA (propane fired) that was installed last spring. The AC worked ... A: Dan, Here is some follow-up. The gas regulator for the furnace is part of the gas valve. There is ...
2003 RUUD heat pump Achiever series 13 seer	10/28/2006
Q: AC mode works good. Heat mode heats ok but when setpoint is reached and outside compressor shuts ... A: Robert, The hammer noise is most likely coming from the compressor when it shuts off. If the ...
smelly house heater	10/28/2006
Q: My daughter turned on her gas heater for the first time in her house. The smell is horrible. ... A: Andrea, It is highly unlikely that the smell is toxic. It is probably due to some kind of growth in ...
Rheem Criterion ll Gas furnace	10/27/2006
Q: I need help with a couple of issues. We bought a house that is only 5 years old. The heating costs ... A: Pattie, Maybe I can help, but I will need more information. First, the air filter is not going go ...
2 story home - Are zone dampers worth the extra cost?	10/26/2006
Q: 2 story, tri-level home built in 1962. We currently only have forced heating. We live in Southern ... A: Marcie, You have some really good questions. Zone systems are primarily used to be able to have ...
Power outage affect AC unit	10/26/2006
Q: Can a power surge/outage affect my AC unit. I live in Orange county, Califorina. The power was ... A: Kelly, A disruption of constant power will not cause a motor to burn out. Turning the power on and ...
filter upgrade	10/25/2006
Q: Blake, I have a 4 year old Reehm 90 Plus upflow gas furnace. I don't think the factory filter does ... A: Jeff, If you are just looking for better filtration than the original filter then the next step up ...
Split systems	10/25/2006
Q: Split system... Fan not running fuse on the control board good. system is 3 years old. residential. A: Anderson, T., I don't have any idea of what you have other than a split system. I need to know if ...
Residential heating question	10/24/2006
Q: Blake, Thanks for the quick response. There are three wires leading to the gas valve, they are ... A: Carlos, What you describe sounds like it is not a thermocouple flame sensor, but is what is called ...
how can I tell if my home is properly insulated?	10/24/2006
Q: .., I moved into my home in 2000. It was built in 1999. The house sits on a cement slab, ground ... A: Arnie, I have used an infrared camera to look at the walls and ceiling in a house and was ...
Furnace	10/24/2006
Q: We had our Payne 14 year old furnace checked and the guy said that they are cracks in the heat ... A: Mike, I hope that the technician showed the cracks to you or your spouse. If there are cracks that ...
AC won't come back on after outage	10/24/2006
Q: We had a power outage today...when i get home my digital thermostat is all lit up, all characters ... A: Carlos, Since the fan runs when switched on at the thermostat that means that the indoor unit has ...
New Honeywell TH8320U Programmable Thermostat	10/23/2006
Q: I purchased this new TH8320 programmable thermostat to use with my Rheem 10 SEER Heat Pump (2 heat/1 ... A: Frances, You need to change the thermostat configuration to have the valve energize in heating (B). ...
Residential heating question	10/23/2006
Q: My wall heater (Empire brand) is not responding to the thermostat. I can light the heater manually ... A: Carlos, You either have a gas valve that is getting a constant signal to run from the thermostat, ...
Ceiling fans in the winter months	10/23/2006
Q: I hope that you can answer my question. So far, I've had no luck. I've read that when using ceiling ... A: Wanda, Rotation for the winter should blow the air in a downward direction regardless of where the ...
Duct Cleaning	10/23/2006
Q: Mr. Ballard, Our church recently bought a summer camp this past July. The camp has about 20 plus ... A: Steve, I am not a big fan of duct cleaning. I usually only recommend it when there has been a ...
heat	10/22/2006
Q: in my business i have a trane heat and air system on top of my building.I turn the heat on and only ... A: James, I will need to know a lot more about what type of system you have. Here is a description of ...
no spark from ignitor	10/22/2006
Q: New T-stat, transformer, and spark ignitor. Everthing is wired correctly. Air conditioner works ... A: Kelly, There are lots of reasons why a spark box won't spark. The first thing you need to do is to ...
Super seal contamination	10/22/2006
Q: A tech added a can of super seal to my home split a/c system. After a few months globs clogged the ... A: Ray, Unfortunately you have a real mess on your hands. Even to remove the refrigerant the tech will ...
interlock beween to ac units	10/22/2006
Q: I have two independant ac units. One is for the living area, the other for the bedroom. My load ... A: Paul, What you are asking for is not a normal function of a thermostat - thermostats only control ...
Residential HVAC	10/21/2006
Q: Blake, I am not completely in the dark when it comes to home repairs and mechanical items, but ... A: Chris, From what you write it sounds like your system may be undersized. I would get a few ...
xe800 heat pump	10/21/2006
Q: I NEED WIRING DIAGRAMS FOR TRANE XE800 MOD. TWB760A100A0 CAN HELP? THANKS DOUG A: Douglas, The literature I have found dates back to 1987-88 and I am not sure that it will have ...
Taking the grille off	10/21/2006
Q: makes the noise just a little bit louder, so I think we can eliminate the airflow through the ... A: Rick, Your test confirms what I would have expected. I usually like to see return ducts no shorter ...
new ac and heating unit for 2 story house	10/20/2006
Q: we are building a 2 story home that is about 1600 square feet. I had a dealer come out and am ... A: Lucy, I am not a big fan of Lennox, but that is just a personal preference. Make sure that you get ...
heating-cold air return	10/20/2006
Q: I have a simple heating system in my businness. Gas furnace-forced air feeding 7 vents. the gas ... A: Ronan, The cold air return is how the air from the area being heated recirculates back to the ...
residential home - central a/c	10/20/2006
Q: I live in Florida. My central "Tempstar" a/c unit was installed in new construction in 2004. I ... A: Nancy, Thanks for all the additional info - it really helps. The shipping still sounds pretty high ...
A/ C brand	10/20/2006
Q: Mr. Ballard, Thank you so much for your reply. Your responses are always informative and a pleasure ... A: Al, Glad to help. I have a couple of comments about the techs you have had so far. The first tech ...
A/ C brand	10/19/2006
Q: I am having my a new A/C installed due to a large freon leak in my evaporator coil. The tech ... A: Al, It would be really hard for me to give an opinion as to repair vs. replacement without knowing ...
Carrier Furnace Blower Question	10/19/2006
Q: The model of my Carrier Furnace is 58GP100-3 series 311, and serial # 4486A01610. I guess it was ... A: Marty, EAC 1 and 2 are terminals for an electronic air cleaner (EAC) to be powered when the blower ...
Central Return vs Individual Room Returns	10/19/2006
Q: Blake, apologies for the slow response, I tried to respond last week but you were 'maxed out' ... A: Brian, The 10x4 duct for a return will handle about 105 CFM and the 10x7 ducts will handle about ...
EPA License for Freon	10/18/2006
Q: I am from Sealy Texas were do I go to get my EPA License so I can buy Freon. Thank you Robert A: Robert, Check with any community colleges that have a HVAC program. Also, some wholesalers in the ...
residential home - central a/c	10/18/2006
Q: I live in Florida. My central "Tempstar" a/c unit was installed in new construction in 2004. I ... A: Nancy, Most of the time coil repairs are difficult and do not last. The problem that caused the ...
Split system	10/18/2006
Q: I have a building with a split system. the compressor is bad. My question is , will I still be able ... A: Mike, Split system is just a configuration - it doesn't tell me the source of heat you have. If you ...
Loud return, grille size doesn't match	10/18/2006
Q: I bought a new condo two years ago with a Bryant Plus 90 (model #350MAV024060) and the air return is ... A: Rick, There are usually two causes for excessive noise from a return. The first is air noise caused ...
AC CEILING VENTS	10/17/2006
Q: WE ARE ADDING ON A 28X17 BEDROOM PLUS CLOSETS,BATH, OFFICE. THE BUILDER ASKED ME WHERE I WANTED ... A: Constance, Vent location depends a lot on the type of register chosen and the face velocity of the ...
Carrier Furnace Blower Question	10/17/2006
Q: I have a 1987 Carrier central unit with a 100,000 btu gas furnace. The blower works fine on AC, but ... A: Marty, What you describe is almost always caused by a fan/limit control. There is a very large ...
Heat Pump-Leave the Stat Alone?	10/16/2006
Q: Finally an answer that makes sense. No one could tell us why we had to leave the temp alone, just ... A: G., Dry air doesn't have any effect at all on a furnace. If you live in a climate that is very ...
Outside Central A/C Unit	10/16/2006
Q: Im thinking about building a deck outside. Unfortunately, the only place suitable for my deck is ... A: Brent, If you really want to build the deck there you must relocate the condensing unit. If you had ...
Taco Circulator	10/16/2006
Q: I used to do hot water heating system repairs years ago, so technical is no problem. My friend has a ... A: Mike, These circulators are notorious for burning out capacitors. You should check it if you can ...
dehumidifier: full light won't go off	10/15/2006
Q: I just got a new Fedders Model #A7DH65B2A 65-Pints Dehumidifier which I am using in my basement to ... A: Deidre, Check to make sure that the float is attached to the water container. If that does not ...
whole house fan	10/15/2006
Q: we have a whole house fan - heat/ac blower in the attic/crawl space. I didn'tnotice right away, but ... A: Paul, I think that you are writing about a gas furnace - if that is not correct, respond with more ...
Trane XL 80 dead after changing thermostat	10/15/2006
Q: My old programmable thermostat "down temperature" button didn't work anymore, so I tried to change ... A: Philip, The breaker will not help if you shorted the wires when changing the thermostat. There may ...
No Flame in Furnace	10/14/2006
Q: I have a Lennox G26 series furnace. I turned it on for the first time this year yesterday and it ... A: Tyler, Your furnace does not have a thermocouple. Your system is pilotless and has an ignition that ...
Lennox furnance	10/14/2006
Q: It is a pilot model and is maintaing pilot . It has new hunter t stat and worked for a few days were ... A: Andrew, Here is how to check where the problem is coming from. 1. Write down the colors of the ...
Heating	10/14/2006
Q: I have a residential Frigidaire/Nordyne high efficiency gas fireplace Model Number G6RC. It is ... A: Glenn, The problem you are describing is definitely not the thermostat. There are a variety of ...
burners have no fire	10/13/2006
Q: I would like to know why my furnace which is forced air central system the burners have no flam, the ... A: Samina, You either have a problem with the electrical (the furnace is not getting the signal to ...
Furnace kicking on but not blowing heat	10/13/2006
Q: The furnace fan is coming on but not blowing any hot or warm air. The fan will kick on and off but ... A: Nikki, The furnace fan is controlled by a delay timer that is starting it a set amount of time ...
Furnace inop	10/13/2006
Q: My furnace is a goodman 92, it will not ignite, i do not smell gas, the blower kicks on and i did ... A: Shawn, There will not be a reset button for this. From what you describe, you appear to not be ...
Trane Central Heat & Air	10/12/2006
Q: Our outdoor unit continues to run inspite of the thermostat being turned to off. The fan switch on ... A: Stacy, The problem that causes what you are experiencing is a stuck or "welded" contactor. The ...
Furnace will not kick on	10/12/2006
Q: I have a 2002 Weather King Furnace / Central Air unit - Just turned the furnace on for the first ... A: Sharon, The fan switch on the thermostat is completely independent of the heating or the heating ...
HVAC	10/12/2006
Q: our a/c unit has suddenly stopped.....it was working when we woke up.....I raised the thermostat ... A: Rich, You don't mention what type of system you have and if the blower runs, so I can only give you ...
Replacing furnace: what to chose.	10/12/2006
Q: I live in Chicago area and need to replace about 17 year old furnace in my townhouse. That is ... A: Lionel, If your current furnace does not have a small inducer motor that starts up immediately on a ...
fireplace	10/11/2006
Q: We live in Maryland, and our house/equipment is about 3 years old. I see that using the fireplace ... A: Scott, How much gas your fireplace uses will depend on its BTU rating. There should be a label ...
lots of water in a/c supply ductwork, not in air return	10/11/2006
Q: I just bought a new constructed house although it has been empty a year with a/c & heat running. It ... A: Joel, Sorry for the delay in response - I normally can respond right away. It would be difficult ...
Heil furnace circulation fan not on at heat request.	10/10/2006
Q: I have a Heil 7000, propane/converted to natural, installed in 1992. The circulation fan does not ... A: Shawn, If the fan spins (runs properly) when the thermostat calls for fan, then the fan relay is ...
Persistent moldy smell in AC	10/10/2006
Q: We bought an older home (1987) in South Carolina a year ago. The house came with a quite awful smell ... A: Dorith, Sorry for the delay. Due to the awfull smell and the fact that you have had some very ...
Central A/C	10/10/2006
Q: I live in the St. Louis Metro.I have a Lennox 5ton central a/c unit that is 5years and 3 months old. ... A: Glen, I would contact Lennox customer service directly and see what you can get them to do ...
blower wont shut off	10/10/2006
Q: I have an question about my nordyne,we replaced the combustion motor.now the blower wont shut off at ... A: Kathy, In my recommendations here I am assuming that all the wiring was reconnected properly when ...
hepa filter	10/9/2006
Q: I am going to put a HEPA filter into my HVAC system, after solving a mold problem. Which brand and ... A: Gary, I rarely recommend HEPA filters for HVAC systems. The reason is that there is no true HEPA ...
fireplace	10/9/2006
Q: I have a natural gas fireplace in my house. I have hesitated to use it much in the past because of ... A: Scott, It is almost always a large waste of energy to use a gas fireplace. Exceptions would be if ...
A/C will not turn on	10/9/2006
Q: Last night I bought a digital thermostat for our unit. I shut the main power off at the breaker ... A: Christine, Shutting the power off to a unit while it is running will not cause problems - ...
Central Return vs Individual Room Returns	10/9/2006
Q: Blake, thank you for taking the time to respond - it is very much appreciated. One final ... A: Brian, Duct size is calculated using a "ductilator" - a tool we use to figure the correct size ...
old thermostat wiring	10/8/2006
Q: We are currently upgrading our thermostat to a digital programmable Hunter model (44155C)from a very ... A: Jeff, Use the owner's manual that came with the thermostat or link here: ...
Trane XE 1200 noise problem	10/8/2006
Q: We just bought a 5 year old house with a Trane XE1200 air conditioner. The neighbors are ... A: Did you put the pads under the compressor (inside of the condensing unit) or under the unit itself? ...
A-coil cleaning, Trane XE 800	10/7/2006
Q: B2: I'd like to clean the underside of the A-coil of my Trane XE 800 A/C, which sits on top of my ... A: An air compressor would not be advised because it would just blow the dirt back into the furnace. ...
power vented furnaces and water heater	10/7/2006
Q: I own a house in which the brand new water heater and old furance are vented via the chimney. I ... A: Rob, There are a number of power vents that are manufactured and are available aftermarket. In ...
Outside central a/c unit	10/7/2006
Q: My central a/c unit is coming on, but I went out-side and noticed that the fan was not spinning and ... A: Terri, Units should not be run intentionally when you know that there are problems. They almost ...
Central Return vs Individual Room Returns	10/6/2006
Q: We are currently remodelling our basement and are having some of the duct work (for the existing ... A: Brian, There is really nothing in switching from multiple to a single return that will affect the ...
replaced old themostat nothing works	10/6/2006
Q: I replaced my thermostat with a new digitel one followed instructions nothing works!!!! thermostat ... A: Tim, No AC means that there is no power to the thermostat. 1. Did you turn the power off to the ...
should I get yearly service contract for heat & ac?	10/6/2006
Q: Blake, Thank you for taking the time to answer my question and for going into detail. Your answer ... A: Kelly, I'm glad to help. If you will respond to this answer, but mark your question "Private", you ...
should I get yearly service contract for heat & ac?	10/5/2006
Q: I'm curious as to what I should expect to be included if I have someone come out to inspect my unit ... A: Kelly, Every equipment manufacturer specifies that the system should be inspected annually at least ...
Furnace replacement	10/5/2006
Q: I am thinking of changing out my existing 2 furnaces with one new one with zone control. My house is ... A: Phil, Zone controlled houses tend to be much more comfortable than standard system houses, but that ...
Whole house fan	10/4/2006
Q: We are planning to install a whole house fan in a 70-year-old home with no AC. Two questions: -- Is ... A: Herbert, I don't know if the vents you mention will be adequate - it depends on the size and CFM of ...
Through the wall a/c - heat combo units	10/4/2006
Q: ft. apt. with storm windows, fairly well insulated, limestone clad, in southern Indiana (100+ ... A: Bob, I am not aware of any manufacturer that makes a through the wall or window natural gas heater. ...
air conditioning	10/4/2006
Q: I have a condo in Lewes, DE which I visit every 2-5 weeks. In the summer I leave the air conditioner ... A: Larry, I would recommend that a condensate safety switch be installed on any system that would ...
noise and vibration in return pipe from condenser	9/28/2006
Q: I have brand new goodman units but I have a major problem. The supply line from the condensing unit ... A: Nikhil, The small line is the liquid line and it makes gurgling noises usually only when the system ...
New AC unit	9/28/2006
Q: I am doing a remodel and changing the current wall heater for central hvac system. I live in ... A: Sue, There really is not an objective comparison available that includes information on various ...
excessive condensation	9/19/2006
Q: According to an a.c. service tech, the coil has been leaking freon and needs to be replaced. We ... A: Richard, The diagnosis looks pretty sound to me - it would explain a lot of what you have be ...
Condensing Units Fan Motor	9/19/2006
Q: My condensing unit on a split system runs for about a minute and cuts off but comes right back on ... A: Marty, If your system is a straight cool condenser (used with a furnace) the problem will be either ...
excessive condensation	9/19/2006
Q: The Trane unit is horizontal with an internal drip pan and an overflow pan. The overflow pan was ... A: Richard, Okay, what I understand is that you have a furnace and indoor coil in the horizontal ...
A/ C freezes	9/18/2006
Q: I had my A/ Cserviced one month ago and the tech filled 1 lb of Freon and said that my indoor coil ... A: Al, I am a little surprised that the tech noticed that the coil was dirty and then added Freon ...
Excessive condensation	9/18/2006
Q: We have Trane units that are 10 years old. After a very hot and dry summer in Dallas, on humid/rainy ... A: Richard, I need to know a little more about what you have to advise you on what to do. The system ...
A/ C freezes	9/18/2006
Q: my A/C freezes and forms ice blocks on the cooling coils. I just had it serviced three weeks ago ... A: Al, The main reasons that systems ice up are: 1. Bad air flow. 2. Setting the thermostat too low. ...
Trane Model #TTB036C100A2 Coil Problem	9/11/2006
Q: Unit works fine except no cool air. Unit approx. 4-5 years old. Contractor states a-coil is bad ... A: Shelly, When coils go bad the best remedy is to replace them. There are some guys that think they ...
return air	9/11/2006
Q: While I was sealing my duct work in the basement, I noticed that one of my return vents on the main ... A: Joe, It is very common for return or supply vents to be run in a "trunk and branch" manner. You ...
Relocating Central AC Compressor	9/11/2006
Q: I have central AC in my house (central Virginia), but the contractor located the outside compressor ... A: Gary, It is usually a fairly easy job to relocate a condenser - just time consuming. Since I don't ...
A/C	9/11/2006
Q: I have a 20 year old 10 SEER system in my house. There is a tested leak in the evaporator coil. ... A: Sarah, An evporator coil rated at 13 SEER is completely compatible with a 10 SEER condenser and it ...
Air conditioning unit	9/10/2006
Q: I live in Georgia and noticed this afternoon that it was getting hot in my condo and remembered that ... A: Jordan, The main reasons that systems ice up are: 1. Bad air flow. 2. Setting the thermostat too ...
heat and air unit	9/10/2006
Q: there is frost on the pipes on unit inside the house can you tell me why this is happening? A: Terri, The frost is the beginning of a system that is icing up the indoor coil. The main reasons ...
air conditioning units	9/10/2006
Q: I have a Goodman model #ckl30-il1 Serial# 0412560047. How can I find out the tonnage and age of this ... A: Anthony, The 30 in the model number indicates that the system is rated at 30,000 btu's or 2.5 tons ...
Air conditioning unit	9/9/2006
Q: We have a Trane unit, we live in Texas, it is hot at this time here. Our Trane unit is blowing air ... A: Renee, A lot of techs that are inexperienced, ignorant, or just lazy will put more refrigerant in a ...
ac with heat pump split system	9/9/2006
Q: Good morning ;What is a split system called that has ac with a heat pump and strip heater combined. ... A: Dennis, Here is a definition that I use for what you have described. SPLIT SYSTEM Split systems ...
a/c not cold	9/9/2006
Q: i have a lennox elite series - model #C23-51/65FC-1 - my system was working fine until a few days ... A: Bob, I am not sure if you are indicating that all 3 units are not running properly. That would be a ...
ac size	9/8/2006
Q: We have a 3 1/2 ton central central ac unit with a 4 ton coil adn 125000 btu furnace. We are getting ... A: Melanie, 3-1/2 ton indoor coils are a little rare and it is extremely common to see a 4 ton indoor ...
Package AC units	9/8/2006
Q: I am ready to purchase a 3 ton package A/C unit with 14 seers, electric/gas unit but am wrestling ... A: Gene, What you are looking to purchase is called a "gas pack". All major HVAC manufacturer's make ...
UV Light for HVAC	9/8/2006
Q: can you tell me what you know about UV lighting for my home HVAC system? My repair man suggested I ... A: Ed, I prefer to take the practical approach to issues such as this. Humans have been coexisting for ...
a/c blower	9/7/2006
Q: I have a furnace w/ a/c, it turns on , here a humming sound but doesnt blow air .I went up to see ... A: Alfredo, If you have access to a volt meter you should check the volts on the wires of the blower ...
indoor air quality	9/7/2006
Q: Mr.Ballard: Thank you so much for your quick response. We'll try what you tell us. However, Do you ... A: Crystal, It would depend on where you found the leak to be. Duct leaks are relatively easy to fix, ...
New house HVAC is not cooling	9/7/2006
Q: I just bought a newly constructed spec house. 4 ton unit downstairs and a 2 ton unit upstairs. The ... A: Cody, Supply air temperature is related to the return air temperature. Turn your system on in ...
Compressor air handler	9/7/2006
Q: Should the air handler and compressor on a Heat pump turn on and 'Stay on" at the same time? I have ... A: Ed, It is normal for the air handler blower to run for a little while after the outdoor unit shuts ...
Follow-up Question: Inside Blower Sometimes Would Not Start When Outside Condenser Starts	9/7/2006
Q: Here are the additional information and what I found: 1. The air handler model number is AR 61-1 ... A: David, Something is missing from the model number - it should be a lot longer. Also - I don't have ...
indoor air quality	9/6/2006
Q: Mr.Ballard: We purchased 1973 colonail style house two years ago.This summer we had the musty odor ... A: Crystal, You should be looking for a company that does duct leakage testing and sealing. Avoid duct ...
Mold in AC Unit	9/6/2006
Q: We live north of Dallas, TX and have a heat pump w/air handler system. We just had the air ducts ... A: Karl, I doubt that treating the mold will be covered by any home warranty, but you should check ...
Air conditioner	9/6/2006
Q: I have a two year old Carrier air conditioner. It intermittently makes a very loud noise when it ... A: Larry, 1. Is the noise you hear at the indoor unit or the outdoor unit? 2. To the best of your ...
return duct	9/6/2006
Q: I have a hvac contractor that is going to install a heat pump and variable speed air handler. He ... A: Jerry, In most areas of the U.S. it is illegal to use combustible materials in ducting. I would ...
air conditioning	9/6/2006
Q: i'm in cedar park,tx we get 100 degree heat, bought a new house 2yrs ago and just had an inspector ... A: Eric, Unfortunately you cannot determine unit size by square footage of a house. While a larger ...
No air coming from vent of a/c unit	9/5/2006
Q: I live in a apt & I am having trouble with my a/c unit. I have had the maint. crew come over and ... A: Leticia, The main reasons that systems ice up are: 1. Bad air flow. 2. Setting the thermostat too ...
ac/heater unit not working	9/5/2006
Q: i have a problem with my ac/heater not coming on, i have a 3500-690 coleman evcon furnace. the ac ... A: Steven, Since the summer fan works, that indicates that your air handler has power and the blower ...
air cond problems	9/5/2006
Q: My air was working fine all summer besides the fact that it was almost running consantly. I had to ... A: Rob, It sounds to me like your compressor is not running - possibly because of a bad capacitor. If ...
Rheem A/C unit does not cool	9/5/2006
Q: I have a Rheem HVAC unit, Model RACA-048ABS, which has recently started blowing warm air when the ... A: Scott, If the system has adequate refrigerant but is not cooling (and the outdoor fan motor is ...
leak in HVAC freon line	9/5/2006
Q: I was doing some remodelling using a nail gun and inadvertantly hit the freon return line (not ... A: Marko, The hole can either be patched with silver brazing rod or you can cut the tube and put it ...
smell from registers	9/5/2006
Q: For about the past 5 weeks we had little bits of insulation coming up at a couple of registers. ... A: Nancy, I would recommend that you have the indoor coil inspected. The drain pan for the condensate ...
Condensate on ducts	9/5/2006
Q: I was under my house in the crawl space and noticed water on the vapor barrier over the soil. The ... A: Bob, The only way to prevent water from condensing on a cold metal surface surrounded by moist air ...
Relocate Air Conditioner compressor	9/5/2006
Q: My house air conditioner sits on ground outside the kitchen window. I would like to move it ... A: Tom, It is usually a fairly easy job to relocate a condenser - just time consuming. The contractor ...
Inside Blower Sometimes Would Not Start When Outside Condenser Starts	9/4/2006
Q: My problem appears to be exactly the same as Eddie's, which was not really answered, apparently ... A: David, Thanks for your very thorough explanation - it sure makes things easier on this end. If you ...
Efficiency	9/4/2006
Q: I currently have a heat pump system/ 3.5 ton Comfort Maker. I think it is a 10 Seer unit. Put in ... A: David, To look at a 15 year plan to cut energy consumption, I would recommend that you consider: ...
hissing noise in a/c unit	9/4/2006
Q: I have an Air Ease Johnson Forced Air Furnace manufactured in 1987. I've recently noticed a hissing ... A: Kelly, The copper refrigerant lines carry both liquid (small line) and a high velocity gas (large ...
Air exchangers	9/3/2006
Q: We are building a home in Vermont and have sprayed in foam insulation being put in. The house is ... A: Vivien, From what you have written, I would agree with you that three units sounds like too much. ...
Excessive condensation from coolong coil of AC	9/3/2006
Q: Blake, thanks alot, I cleared the drain, solved the water issue. I am going to clean the coil in a ... A: Brad, Good job - even though it appears that there is a problem with the blower that is causing the ...
a/c turns on and then shuts off by itself	9/3/2006
Q: We're in Escondido, I don't know what kind of ac unit it is but it old 1986...so we didnt use it for ... A: Lindsay, The most likely scenario for what you are experiencing is that the outdoor fan motor is ...
Outside unit blowing cold air out	9/2/2006
Q: our home has 2 a/c units located outside. the upstairs has not been cooling properly. hubby went out ... A: Amanda, When indoor units blow out warm air it is because the outdoor unit is either not running or ...
Evaporator Coil replacement	9/2/2006
Q: Blake, We live in Houston, TX out by the Bay. Our unit is a Lennox model furnance 80UHG4-75A-3 ... A: Del, Your coil should cost from around $900 - $2200 depending on where it is located and the ...
A/C Unit	9/2/2006
Q: I have a Carrier A/C unit that is 7 years old. I cannot get it to cool under 78 in the early ... A: Melody, You need someone who can really troubleshoot a system. Go to www.natex.org/consumer.htm and ...
(Too) Many Happy Returns?	9/2/2006
Q: Blake, Thanks for the wonderful response to my question. I sent a reply but it seems it didn't go ... A: CJ, Respond in "private" and send me your phone number, your time zone, and a good time to call you ...
Compressor Time Delay	9/2/2006
Q: I have a Carrier 38CK048310 Air Conditioning Condensor that quit working a few days ago. The ... A: Richard, The compressor time delay is to prevent the compressor from cycling back on again less ...
Trane xe 1000	9/1/2006
Q: We live in a 1365 sqft apartment upstairs. My electric bill has finally gone thru the roof in the ... A: Renee, Professional vent cleaning services rarely do anything that affects the utility bill and ...
AC Blower stops intermittently	9/1/2006
Q: When running th AC (upstairs unit), the blower (circulation) will stop occasionally. When this ... A: Boyd, You most likely have a problem with the blower motor in the furnace. I would recommend that ...
better air flow?	9/1/2006
Q: 3 closely related questions: Background: Upstairs is a 2 ton, 13-year-old, 12 SEER Trane XE 78 ... A: Rabid, Units should be sized to handle the load of a particular house or area of a house in nearly ...
Central A/C sounds funny when it cuts on	9/1/2006
Q: I must not be explaining myself correctly. The unit is set on automatic, it is not running ... A: Jill, I understand that the system makes the noise when the a/c turns on and that you are hearing ...
Central A/C sounds funny when it cuts on	9/1/2006
Q: NoI'm so sorry, I'm the one that must apologize. The noise only happens as it cuts on then it ... A: Jill, When an indoor unit runs in fan ON mode without the a/c working also, the only thing that is ...
Central A/C sounds funny when it cuts on	9/1/2006
Q: I'm so sorry, I'm the one that must apologize. The noise only happens as it cuts on then it stops. ... A: Does the noise happen when you run only the fan (thermostat fan switch to ON and system switch to ...
Central A/C in home	8/31/2006
Q: sorry, have another question.When do i need to add freeon? The house is close to 2 1/2 yrs old and ... A: Robert, You should never have to add Freon unless there is a leak. Freon doesn't wear out. If ...
Central A/C in home	8/31/2006
Q: This morning the builder's warranty dept came over to see my A/C. The only thing they did was check ... A: Robert, If you read my last response, the first thing it tells you how to do is to get your system ...
evaporative cooler	8/31/2006
Q: Could a defective thermostat cause the gfi to trip? A: Jerry, Most thermostats for central air systems run on 24 volts and would not affect a GFI circuit, ...
Excessive condensation from coolong coil of AC	8/31/2006
Q: HELP, I have a Tempstar forced air gas furnace with a cooling coil on top. In the last week we have ... A: Brad, Condensation from the coil is normal as long as there is sufficient humidity in the air. The ...
air conditioning unit	8/31/2006
Q: my unit is running and the fan is spinning.I looked at the unit and there is this one pipe that ... A: George, Your unit is iced up. When the indoor coil gets blocked with ice, it won't let air through. ...
Payne Heat Pump Compressor Turns Off	8/31/2006
Q: Blake, Thank you so much for your quick reply. Only the compressor is turning off. The noise is ... A: Tony, When compressors turn off, but the outdoor fan keeps going, it is almost always because the ...
trane heat pump thermostat	8/31/2006
Q: I live on a house boat in Kentucky in the summer.In the winter i winterize the boat and go south.The ... A: Steve, The Honeywell VisionPro and FocusPro series digital themostats have a 40 degree min. heat ...
HVAC flexible duct and air returns	8/31/2006
Q: Two part(i) in your opinion, is flexible duct work in a home comparable in terms of quality and ... A: Rick, Larger common returns are used all the time - it is what I have in my house and it is ...
Central A/C in home	8/31/2006
Q: I live in a 2 yr old home with an outside Lennoxx A/C. Yesterday my wife and I noticed that it was ... A: Robert, I couldn't guess what it may cost to repair your system. It appears to be not running ...
Y AC/heating unit	8/30/2006
Q: The fan still won't run longer than 60 seconds, what kind of meter do I need?I have a York heating ... A: Ronald, You need a volt meter to measure the volts reaching the blower motor. That will allow you ...
removing thermostat to replace	8/30/2006
Q: My question is probably relatively simple as HVAC question go but I'm stumped. I bought a new ... A: Patti, There will be a few small screws that you have to loosen to get the thermostat off of the ...
Indoor blower coil	8/30/2006
Q: I'm guessing that you've already answered this for someone, but I can't find it. How to clean an ... A: Joel, Here is what I usually send to people wanting to clean their indoor coil. There is an aerosol ...
Air Quality	8/30/2006
Q: I have a room that 13’ by 20’ and 14’ height with a ductless AC unit installed. This room is has 3 ... A: Alex, All air conditioners remove moisture from the air as they run. In a room where there is a ...
a/c system may need freon added	8/30/2006
Q: inside temp 74 outside temp 82 outside humidity 75% inside humidity ? low psi 53 high psi 235 ... A: Terry, Based on the relationship between the outdoor temperature and the high side pressure, I ...
Condensation on interior A/C outlet	8/29/2006
Q: My home heating and cooling is provided by dual Carrier "Weathermaker" units, one for the ground ... A: Eric, The short answer is that condensation will form on almost anything that remains below the ...
Ductless air conditioners	8/29/2006
Q: We are considering a Fedders ductless air conditioner for our timber framed home. Do you have an ... A: Janette, Ductless (or mini-split) systems are a great way to add air conditioning (heat also with a ...
AC Inside Fan not starting on its own	8/29/2006
Q: The Unit is in the Attic of my 2 story home. It is 7 years old. When the air kicks on I can hear ... A: Rich, I think that your diagnosis is correct. It could also be the motor itself, but it is most ...
AC	8/29/2006
Q: Blake, I forgot to mention that I have allready replaced the old t-87 with a brand new T-87 and ... A: Ron, Since it is a new t-stat, it looks to me like it is wired wrong. The wire going to the ...
a/c system may need freon added	8/29/2006
Q: at 80 degree outside temp i measures 54/230 psi on my 4 ton split unit. the inside air temp at the ... A: Terry, The suction side looks low, but there is no way to tell if that means the system is low on ...
Water damage to floor due to leaking air conditioner unit	8/29/2006
Q: I just recently filed a claim with my insurance company because water was leaking somewhere from ... A: Gabrielle, Air conditioners will produce water when they cool humid air for the same reason that a ...
Air Conditioner not cooling properly	8/28/2006
Q: The central air conditioner isn't cooling properly, tech came out, added freon. He claims that the ... A: Jarret, Here is a little info on thermostats first. Thermostats don't affect the quantity of air or ...
Outside AC unit fan spins in reverse	8/28/2006
Q: I own a condo and while everything runs it is not cooling. I noticed the outside unit is actually ... A: Adam, If you have the same unit as the others and yours operates in reverse, you will be getting a ...
Valve Replacement	8/28/2006
Q: Blake: I have a 30yr old Day&Night gas furnace which I need to replace leaking gas control valve. ... A: Lee, The two-wire gas valve you have is no longer manufactured. Do not try to install a "solenoid" ...
central air installation	8/28/2006
Q: So I've been researching and I was wondering about all the name brands that are out there...which ... A: Cathy, The price you were quoted sounds very high to me based on just size of system and locating ...
A/C Scam?	8/28/2006
Q: Is this coincidence or does it sound like a scam? We called to have a tech come out to do a routine ... A: Eric, It is suspicious. However... IF the unit ran okay after the tech left, AND the problem ...
Residential AC Unit	8/28/2006
Q: We have a newly built home that is approximately 6 months old. We have 3 different Lennox AC units ... A: John, That is a fairly large amount for a system that is only 6 months old. If the system was ...
thermostat	8/28/2006
Q: I took apart the thermostat to move it during construction, I think I shorted out the blue, green, ... A: Dean, Depending on what was connected to the blue wire you may have blown a low voltage fuse in the ...
HVAC overflow pan	8/26/2006
Q: the evaporator overflow pan in our attic is collecting water and dripping outside. We suspect mildew ... A: Denise, You have done well so far, you probably just need to do a little more. Try connecting the ...
hooking up a thermostat	8/26/2006
Q: my simple question is do you have access to a diagram that shows how to hook up a simple thermostat ... A: Vinnie, There are only 2 wires to a heating only thermostat. The red wire goes to R and the white ...
AC capacity for home	8/26/2006
Q: About a year ago we purchased a new AC system for our home (Trane XV80 & XL16i). It has never ... A: Chris, First, ignore rules of thumb for a/c sizing. They have gotten more contractors and ...
intermittent cool air	8/26/2006
Q: I have a 10 yr old central Rheem 12 Seer. The indoor fan and thermostat seems to be working. ... A: Pat, You have a fairly simple problem - either the outdoor fan motor or its capacitor is bad. If it ...
Indoor central a/c shutting off	8/26/2006
Q: Bryant A/C 2 ton unit w/air handler. A/C system is separate from oil heat system. A/C runs fine ... A: Anthony, It sounds like there is a control on your outdoor unit that is not allowing it to begin a ...
air conditioner	8/26/2006
Q: I wrote yesterday about our air conditioner "freezing up" on the outside pipe leading from the house ... A: Lisa, Don't worry about the system freezing up and damaging the compressor - that only happens if ...
Problem With Trane AC Unit in Florida	8/26/2006
Q: .. I have a 6 year old Trane 1.5t heat pump in my Clearwater Florida home. It has not been able to ... A: Mike, Call another tech. The first guy just guesses and the second guy if full of ... It is not a ...
AC	8/26/2006
Q: I have a townhome with gas forced air furnace and AC coil in the basement, with the AC condensor ... A: Ron, It is a lot more likely that you have a bad thermostat. If it were the contactor, you would be ...
(Too) Many Happy Returns?	8/26/2006
Q: I have a very weird setup and I don't quite understand it. My goal is to reduce or eliminate the ... A: CJ, The reason why the HEPA is setup as an "auxiliary" to the HVAC system is that it would have to ...
A/C icing over and outside blower running	8/26/2006
Q: 2months ago we had our A/C serviced and had the contactor and RC-22 put into the system, recently ... A: Andy, The problem you are describing is what happens when you have a stuck contactor in the outdor ...
Frigidare Through Wall AC Unit not functioning	8/26/2006
Q: We have a Frigidare through wall AC unit in our master bedroom. Not sure of the size but it has ... A: Chris, You can be pretty sure that the controller has gone bad in your a/c unit. If the power there ...
condensation around floor vents	8/25/2006
Q: We have condensation buildup around our floor vents throughout the house, what could this be? A: Chris, The short answer is that condensation will form on almost anything that remains below the ...
a/c from heat??	8/25/2006
Q: This is a theory type question more for curosity and fun that any type of problem.... I know that ... A: Richard, Thanks for your question - I hadn't thought about anything like that for a lot of years. I ...
heating&cooling	8/25/2006
Q: DerMr. Ballard my father has recently decided to update his furnace and add a central cooling unit ... A: Barry, Gibson is a brand made by Nordyne, so it would be comparable with any of the Nordyne brands ...
Water dripping from indoor coil	8/25/2006
Q: I have water dripping from between the fins on my indoor coil of my heat pump. It's coming down ... A: Joe, Thanks - you did a great job of providing me with information. The very first thing I would do ...
thermostat ....nothing	8/25/2006
Q: live in florida. got stuffy in the house, so I went to turn the thermostat down to get some air ... A: Laurence, It helps to think of a thermostat as nothing more than a remote control. If the remote ...
air conditioning	8/25/2006
Q: Yes, I mean the inside blower. The blower unit in the closet inside the house will not turn off, so ... A: Carrie, Here is what I understand is happening: With the thermostat switches in the AUTO (fan) and ...
Rheem A/C contactor	8/25/2006
Q: I have a Rheem A/C and Heater unit. A couple of months ago I came home and noticed my A/c was not ... A: Heath, You should only have to replace the contactor again if it is not working. Anytime you push a ...
air conditioner	8/25/2006
Q: I hope I can provide you with enough intellegent information that you will be able to answer this ... A: Lisa, The main reasons that systems ice up are: 1. Bad air flow. 2. Setting the thermostat too ...
Air conditioning	8/25/2006
Q: I have central air conditioning and for some reason it turns off and on an awful lot. This also ... A: Jonathan, Most of the time what you describe is related to the thermostat. It could be that the ...
Coldroom	8/25/2006
Q: Im a packhouse supervisor(Fresh Vegetables) and I have a problem with yellowing of PakChoi which ... A: Patrick, You would need to add dehumidification unit(s) to the coldroom or to design the existing ...
central heat/air unit	8/25/2006
Q: unit keeps freezing up and air vent getting no air flow A: Gary, The main reasons that systems ice up are: 1. Bad air flow. 2. Setting the thermostat too ...
air conditioner contacts	8/25/2006
Q: Tempstar unit furnace with air conditioner for my upstairs. The contacts in my a/c unit outside ... A: Tim, A contactor will have problems with not locking down properly usually only when it is wired ...
air conditioning	8/24/2006
Q: We live in Winston-Salem, NC. We own a Nordyne/Intertherm heat pump. It is 10 years old. The air ... A: Carrie, Thanks for your very thorough explanation of the situation. If the fan you are describing ...
AC blowing hot and won't shut off	8/24/2006
Q: I live in VA. I have a heatpump, and the thermostat is a Honeywell. We came home from vacation, ... A: Holly, Short answer - yes! I am assuming that when you moved the thermostat switch from the COOL to ...
ac unit frozen	8/24/2006
Q: I have 2 AC units on the side of the house. I noticed today that the unit was not working and the ... A: Kathy, The main reasons that systems ice up are: 1. Bad air flow. 2. Setting the thermostat too ...
Replacing condensation pan	8/24/2006
Q: I have a 20+ year old Ruud central air & heat system. I have water dripping from the pan under the ... A: Mac, Depending on how your indoor coil was installed it could be fairly easy or very difficult to ...
Air Conditioning	8/24/2006
Q: Our central heat & air unit is 4 years old. The unit would run fine, cutting on and off like it ... A: Rebecca, My first advice is to get someone else to do your work. This guy appears to me to be ...
A/C stopped cooling, outside unit hums	8/24/2006
Q: I have a Goodman A/C, about six years old. It was cooling fine until last night. Now when the ... A: Lee, Any odor indoors would be unrelated to the condition outdoors. If the odor you are getting is ...
dryer venting under the house	8/24/2006
Q: to install a dryer in the area most convenient I am going to need to vent it under the house. We ... A: Kathy, Dryers cannot be vented into crawl spaces - it is against code. Here is the link to an ...
Relocating central air conditioning unit in attic away from bedroom	8/24/2006
Q: My husband thought I was crazy complaining about the White Rodger's thermostat control in our new ... A: Jennifer, The "liquid" noise that you hear in the walls is the refrigerant rushing through the ...
AC Problem	8/24/2006
Q: We have central air and heat (one thermostat controls both). Recently, our outside unit, the heat ... A: Cory, What you describe sounds like a problem in the outdoor unit. I would suspect that there is a ...
HVAC equipment	8/24/2006
Q: We are in the process of installing central heat and air in our house. MY question is, we have had 6 ... A: Kevin, Luxaire is a brand made by York. There is not a significant differnce between the Luxaire ...
Humidity	8/24/2006
Q: My daughter purchased a condo/2 story with att garage and a very small partial basement for laundry ... A: Bill, The bath fan should be run during and after a shower, and after a bath. Most bath fans are ...
home ac	8/23/2006
Q: i have a furnace with air conditioner made by rheem. the selonod went out so i replaced it then the ... A: Shawn, Something is wired wrong with the new motor. If you send me the model and serial number of ...
Flexible vs. Rigid Venting Hose	8/23/2006
Q: My question concerns a vent hose for a gas dryer in Boston, MA. The 24" gas washer/dryer is ... A: Lori, If you are writing about vent used between the dryer and the dryer vent inlet at the wall, ...
A/C installations	8/23/2006
Q: Why are some A/C units on the roof and some on the ground? Is it because of the local code, is it a ... A: Jim, In most cases it is just for convenience. Normally you won't see a split system outdoor ...
Refigerant line noise	8/23/2006
Q: My home central air has the compressor etc outside and the air handler etc inside. I am hearing a ... A: George, A certain amount of noise is always going to be there becuase of transmitted vibration and ...
Rheem Heat Pump Fan problem	8/23/2006
Q: I have 4 year old Rheem 10 SEER heat pump. The fan on the outdoor unit is trying to turn but not ... A: Yogi, If you want to test the fan you will need to have a meter that reads amps and capacitance. If ...
A/C Compressor will not shut off	8/23/2006
Q: My fan will turn off, but my A/C compressor will not. Even when I turn off the entire system, the ... A: Mike, Contactor is correct. The points can become welded shut and it will not release. Turn the ...
Y AC/heating unit	8/23/2006
Q: I have a York heating /AC unit model no.G-UAO36S14B. It had been leaking causing a puddle in the ... A: Ronald, Yours sounds like a fan motor or control problem along with a problem with the drain pipe ...
A/C Vents	8/23/2006
Q: I have a four bedroom home. When my ac is running air comes out of the vents on one side of the ... A: Clarence, Your builder is wrong. Sometimes you can partially close down vents to adjust airflow, ...
What to do overall?	8/23/2006
Q: I own a condo in Simi Valley which I rent to a nice family. It has installed a Goodman ck03-1a, A/C ... A: Patrick, If the compressor is shot in a unit that old, the entire unit should be replaced. If ...
Heat pump fan stops	8/23/2006
Q: I live in Vienna, VA and have a two year old Ruud heat pump model UPKA 035 JAZ, an old York CHPA-36 ... A: Jack, The problem is the with the condenser fan motor or defrost control. When the motor stops, the ...
Coil replcaement	8/22/2006
Q: They sent a salesman and rechecked the leak and stated the coil had a leak and showed some sort of ... A: Cindy, I have no sense for the difficulty level of what is being proposed, but for everything you ...
central air installation	8/22/2006
Q: Wow-this sure is a busy place!! I just purchased a home with baseboard heat and window unit a/c. ... A: Cathy, I am really glad that you are researching this. Too many homeowners just leave everything up ...
18 SEER unit not 18 Seer	8/22/2006
Q: In April I had installed an american standard 2 compressor 2 speed 18 seer unit along with a new ... A: N, There could be a few reasons why you are seeing a difference. 1. Different units achieve ...
AC unit	8/22/2006
Q: I have a lennox central air unit. It is at least 7 years old, as that is how long we have lived ... A: Renee, There is a problem in the blower section. It could be the motor, the motor mounting, or the ...
Red LED flashing on Carrier Weathermaker	8/22/2006
Q: I have a Carrier Weathermaker hi-eff furnace and Honeywell Thermostat. I turned the thermostat to ... A: Frank, Any damage done to the board would have been eliminated when the new board was installed. I ...
Replacement of 16 yr old systems	8/22/2006
Q: I have a vacation home near the ocean in South Carolina (Kiawah Island). The three exisiting York 2 ... A: Mike, Nominal capacity on a 5/8" suction line for a 2.5 ton unit is 29,370 btu's. The "net ...
Additional info on Central Air Cooler	8/22/2006
Q: Here is the additional info you requested: The old swamp cooler was not ducted. It blew into the ... A: Carolyn, Thanks for all the info - it helps. Since it appears that there is no way for the hot air ...
collar that goes aorund the heat pipe in the bathroom ceiling	8/22/2006
Q: I live in an old Brownstone and rent an apartment on one of the upper floors. The heat pipe goes ... A: Miss Modelski, You can put a collar around the pipe that is called an escutcheon. You can get one ...
condensor unit home	8/22/2006
Q: BLAKE,I HAVE A 31/2 TON CONDENSON UNIT IN MY HOME.I BOUGHT IT 2 YEARS AGO.IT WASNT EVEN A YEAR OLD ... A: Billy, Wow, you have really had poor life with your condensers. This is pretty much guaranteed to ...
Central Air Cooler	8/22/2006
Q: We just installed a central air conditioner cooler outside our home because we never put one in when ... A: Carolyn, I am going to need additional information. Was the old swamp cooler ducted or did it just ...
a/c control noise	8/21/2006
Q: we have a brand new White Rogers electronic control panel (model #IF80 361) for our new a/c system ... A: Lou, I'm sorry to tell you that click is the sound of a relay in the thermostat. Nearly all ...
Air conditioner electrical	8/21/2006
Q: I have a Day and Night residential air con. It is at least 17 years old. The condensor fan motor ... A: Tony, The new motor should have had both brown wires running to the new capacitor - AWLAYS install ...
Emergency Heat Mode	8/21/2006
Q: Subject Heat pump emergency heat Question I have a home with a dual zone heat pump setup. ... A: Pete, The purpose of emergency heat mode on a heat pump thermostat is to lock out the compressor ...
A/C trips circuit breaker frequently	8/21/2006
Q: My A/C has recently started tripping the circuit breaker at least twice per day. The blower will ... A: Wes, An a/c unit tripping a circuit breaker is usually a sign of a more serious condition and you ...
blower noise	8/21/2006
Q: Recently my Bryant unit inside noise level is increased. Some slight vibration. Air volume is ... A: Terry, Any significant increase in noise from an indoor unit is pretty much guaranteed to be ...
Home AC fan rattle	8/21/2006
Q: The AC fan inside my home rattles. Or atleast thats what I think it is. Strange thing is, when I run ... A: David, The compressor is located in the outdoor unit, so it would not directly be the source of the ...
Cooling Problem	8/21/2006
Q: I've got a Lennox unit HVAC unit that is connected to a 2 zone California Economizer system. The ... A: Charlie, I am pretty sure that California Economizer was acquired by Zonex, and if you ever need ...
Odor from the A/C	8/21/2006
Q: We recently moved into a new condo that has a Trane A/C. There's a "corn-smelling" odor coming from ... A: Margo, Most odor issues with air conditioning systems can be traced to the indoor coil and/or its ...
A/C suctioning water from drip pan into floor	8/21/2006
Q: "I have an 7-yr-old Intertherm unit with the A-coil located over the blower and heater unit. In the ... A: William, The easiset way for you to make sure that the water is not dripping out of the pan is to ...
air conditioner cond drain	8/18/2006
Q: MY CENTRAL A/C UNIT COND DRAIN KEEPS GETTING A AIR POCKET I GUESS AND FLOODS THE GARAGE THE PAN IS ... A: Kevin, Make sure that the water does not remain standing in the coil drain pan when the system is ...
sweating air ducts	8/18/2006
Q: I live in the Panhandle of Florida with hot/humid weather. We have noticed in some rooms of our ... A: Robert, It is extremely rare for ducts to sweat condensate water on the inside of the duct. The ...
Buzzing noise	8/18/2006
Q: This A.M. when I got home I turned the unit on again. And the fan still did not work, but I turned ... A: Palmer, Turning the fan manually and having it start and continue to run probably means that the ...
Heil Central Air Humidity	8/18/2006
Q: A new 2.5 ton Heil A/C system, new blower, 240 volt and A-coil condenser and D-line set (1 NAC 030; ... A: Neil, System size, coil size and selection and blower size are all critical when putting together a ...
Leaking Coil Replacement	8/18/2006
Q: I live in the Atlanta Georgia area and have had issues with frozen pipes and trouble cooling house. ... A: Vicki, First, a little info on iced systems. The main reasons that systems ice up are: 1. Bad air ...
York heat pump	8/18/2006
Q: Good morning, Last night came home to find heat coming from the air ducts in the house. My ... A: Don, You first need to determine if you are just getting warm recirculating air that is already in ...
Outside coil freezing	8/18/2006
Q: My parent's central AC has had a problem since an electrical outage. The outside coil fan constantly ... A: Ray, The main reasons that systems ice up are: 1. Bad air flow. 2. Setting the thermostat too low. ...
Buzzing noise	8/18/2006
Q: I have lennox a/c unit. It stopped working yesterday. It was making a buzzing/whistling noise. The ... A: Palmer, The outdoor fan must be running for the compressor to reject the heat that it is removing ...
Fan and Compressor stopped	8/17/2006
Q: Clinton Township, MI I have a ArcoAire air condition unit. Model #: AG042GB1. A few weeks ago ... A: Todd, Don't worry about the humming noise at the outdoor unit. It is either the contactor or a ...
Heating and air conditioning on a home	8/17/2006
Q: we have a one year old a/c unit. But the thermostat was not change with the new unit. Now we notice ... A: Reinaldo, You have a programmable thermostat that displays two temperatures - one is the actual ...
HVAC system replacement	8/17/2006
Q: I am the Controller for a large church. Our building is about 80,000 sq. ft. The building is 10 ... A: Gary, We are in the process of replacing a substantial part of the a/c & heating system on the ...
AC Unit freezing and not blowing	8/17/2006
Q: I have a carrier air conditioning unit that over the past month has slowly been cooling the house ... A: Glenn, The main reasons that systems ice up are: 1. Bad air flow. 2. Setting the thermostat too ...
A/C Condensor squealed a few times.	8/17/2006
Q: I live in Katy, TX (where it is hot as hades right now) and last night, twice, the condensor ... A: Jason, The noise that you are hearing is from the condenser fan motor and is caused by the bearings ...
Thermal Zone AC	8/17/2006
Q: Sorry I did not provide enough info in the first place. I rechecked the model # and I mistyped ... A: Damon, About the only thing on an indoor section like you have that can cause that kind of ...
Furnance Kicks Off	8/17/2006
Q: My electric start furnance will fire right up, but after running for only a minute or so it kicks ... A: James, This could be a problem related to airflow that is being triggered by a temperature limit ...
A/c Not cooling	8/17/2006
Q: I have a home that is 2200 sq ft living. I am not sure of the size unit outside and have no idea how ... A: Floyd, A quick way to get a general idea of system performance is to use a good quality thermometer ...
oil Furnace & hot water heater	8/16/2006
Q: I am in the process of getting quotes on replacing my current system (Oil Fired Furnace & Hot Water ... A: Greg, The prices are going to vary a lot by contractor, equipment, difficulty of installation, ...
Shimming an out-of-square Return Air Duct for tighter filter fit.	8/16/2006
Q: I have a size 20x25 return air duct (where I place a fresh filter)that isn't square enough for the ... A: Clyde, You should start by checking to see what the return air grille is held in with - screws or ...
Furnace/AC vents	8/16/2006
Q: We have a high efficiency furnace & a heat pump. We just got the heat pumped hooked up yesterday ... A: Jen, It is very unlikely that you have both a furnace AND a heat pump. You probably have a furnace ...
AC fan will not turn on	8/16/2006
Q: Inside unit blows warm air but the outside fan will not turn on. What could be the problem? A: KH, The outdoor unit is: 1. Not getting power (blown fuse or tripped breaker). Snap the breaker ...
Evaporator Pan has rusted through	8/16/2006
Q: To whom it may concern: My indoor air conditioning unit has started to leak on the floor. Upon ... A: Adam, Never let anyone epoxy a water leak or a refrigerant leak unless it is an emergency and you ...
Thermal Zone AC	8/16/2006
Q: I have a Thermal Zone g6rc 080g-16b hvac. I live in Rapid City SD. In the last day it has been ... A: Damon, Thermal Zone was a private label brand made for a national distributor-level supplier named ...
Coil and suction lines ice up	8/16/2006
Q: My condenser seems to be operating normally but the suction line and the coil in the air handler are ... A: David, Even a "rusty" condensor has no problem providing the proper amount of refrigerant to an ...
where is my ac blower motor located?	8/16/2006
Q: I don't know how much you can help with this but please try as i am i my wits end trying to do a ... A: Cheryl, Usually systems that are installed in the attic have a remote filter at the return air ...
Breaker Kicks	8/16/2006
Q: My breaker kicks before the air conditioner even kicks on, what could be the cause of this? A: James, A breaker that trips instantly upon a call for cooling without the a/c unit even starting is ...
Air Conditioner Mystery	8/16/2006
Q: Blake, I have a Coleman Evcon, model BRCS030B central A/C unit for my condo. Last week the A/C was ... A: Kathryn, This is beyond weird! Where are you located? You can respond and check "Private" if you ...
Air Conditioning	8/15/2006
Q: I have an attic ac unit. The return air vent is located in the hallway between the living area and ... A: Steve, The quick answer to your question is that the bedrooms are not getting enough air in ...
Condensation Leaks	8/15/2006
Q: Question - 521 units to be exact in Los Angeles Ca. The air handlers are enclosed in a droped ... A: Justin, In order to be able to help you, I need to know how the condensation is getting out of the ...
WHAT SYSTEM SHOULD I GET	8/15/2006
Q: I have a condominium unit in a 4 floor building. I have a unit which is on 2 floors. The first floor ... A: Ron, I live in an area where 80% of the new systems being installed are in attics. The only ...
technician exam	8/15/2006
Q: I have a few years in the service side of the air conditioning businuess and i havent done it in a ... A: Oscar, Any written exam given by an employer will be one they made up or borrowed - there is no ...
Install Black Pipe for Furnace,Hot water, stove	8/15/2006
Q: The plumber ran 1/2" flex gas pipe 60' to a regulator, then to a manifold. From the manifold he ran ... A: Larry, I would guess that the plumber ran coated stainless steel flexible pipe from the meter to ...
AC troubles follow-up	8/15/2006
Q: that's some of the most sensible advice I've received so far. The hard start kit was brought up, ... A: Doug, According to my wire sizing chart a 40 amp circuit requires #8 copper wire or #6 aluminum ...
New unit, frozen pipe	8/15/2006
Q: Blake, I had a new AC unit installed in June of 2005 when I bought this 20 year old town house. ... A: David, The large refrigerant line that is insulated is the suction line and it will ice up if the ...
AC troubles	8/15/2006
Q: I live in Tryon, NC. I have recently had a 4-ton, 10 SEER ICP AC unit installed under a home ... A: Doug, It may be hard to diagnose if it won't repeat the problem when the tech is there. It sounds ...
Attic Ventilator	8/15/2006
Q: How do Convection Turbine Attic Ventilators compare with attic fans. I was told by someone that it ... A: Mike, Powered attic ventilators will move more air than a turbine style, and since they work off a ...
Air conditioner compressor	8/15/2006
Q: Blake, My apologies. I should have mentioned that I have a multi-meter and I have access to an amp ... A: Jonny, The unit is a 3-ton and it was made in the 12th week of 1994 according to the serial number. ...
flue	8/15/2006
Q: I am building a new home. I have a fireplace and two furnaces. One up in the attic and the other ... A: Joe, Flues for high efficiency (90+ AFUE [Average Fuel Utililzation Efficiency]) furnaces are run ...
central a/c/heat pump unit problem	8/14/2006
Q: I live in Phoenix AZ. We had some thunderstorms and heavy rain the other day. In the morning, when I ... A: Dave, The price quoted for the condensor fan motor replacement is in a reasonable range. The reason ...
air conditioning	8/14/2006
Q: what are the three ways to properly charge an air conditioning system?... how does a furnace work? A: Oscar, The three methods of properly charging a system are: 1. By weight as specified by the ...
AC running all the time	8/14/2006
Q: I have a Heil outside unit about 6 years old. Has froze 2 times this year. Had freon added which ... A: Joyce, A real common mis-diagnosis of low refrigerant pressure in the system is that the system is ...
HVAC	8/14/2006
Q: Goodman Manu. of Houston is only name on outside unit. I thought it was a heat-pump, but all that ... A: Ken, Condensate water is a result of a cold indoor coil and humidity in the air. An excessive ...
ice on coils	8/14/2006
Q: I have a Trane air handler #twe060c15fco it is located in the garage and is accessable. My outside ... A: Nancy, Here is a follow up. If you need additional information or help, be sure to respond using ...
Trane XL1200 compressor	8/14/2006
Q: Compressor does not come on. Was working fine (good cooling) until recently. We had a power outage a ... A: Gil, The power outage to the unit may have caused the problem. There is a breaker in the main ...
A/C Blower Constantly Running	8/14/2006
Q: For the last 3 days the A/C fans won't shut off ( 2 York units about 5 yrs old). I've removed the ... A: Scott, If you are writing about the fan in the indoor unit, you have a stuck fan relay, fan control ...
A/C Compressor doesn't shut off	8/14/2006
Q: My furnace w/air conditioner system compressor is running constantly. I reset the circuit breakers ... A: Dean, The contactor for the compressor is stuck. This happens when the points begin to pit and ...
Buzzing at HeatPump	8/14/2006
Q: I would like to fix it, please send the procedure. Thanks again. AndreMy heatpump system will make a ... A: Andre, Go to www.google.com and click on "images". Do a search on "heat pump reversing valve" and ...
A/C unit noise	8/14/2006
Q: Over the past few weeks whenever our A/C is running it makes a thumping or rattling noise in the ... A: Tova, If the blower is belt driven and the belt cracks or loses a small piece of the belt, that is ...
condinsation on ac pipes	8/14/2006
Q: I live in North Carolina. I am renting a single wide mobile home. The floors are sagging very bad. ... A: Sherry, It is remotely possible, but very unlikely. You would have to keep it very cold all the ...
Home Ac unit	8/14/2006
Q: CoLD air will not blow out of my vents. The outside AC UNIT has ice frozeN around the pipe. But, ... A: Darrin, Your system is iced up. The main reasons that systems ice up are: 1. Bad air flow. 2. ...
Compressor?, condensor?, fan motor?	8/14/2006
Q: Blake - First, thank you for the obvious time and effort you put in here. Today is the first time ... A: Charles, Wow! Thanks for all the information - this really helps. Since the condensor fan AND the ...
ac coils - icing up	8/14/2006
Q: AC brand is unknown as is part/model number. It was put on the home in 1998.. It just stopped ... A: Danielle, The thing that looks like a radiator and has aluminum fins is the condenser coil. It is ...
A/C sequencer	8/13/2006
Q: I just found out by a smoke trail that the A/C sequencer burned out. it is a 2 stage, 4 pole ... A: Ernesto, You will have to disconnect the low voltage wires to the sequencer and tape them off. ...
Swamp Cooler: dripping on roof	8/13/2006
Q: 8/13/06: I noticed water coming out of the gutter system/ downspout. I climbed on the roof to look ... A: Malati, 1. The dripping is not normal. 2. You need to adjust the water float inside the cooler to ...
Heil fan cool unit MDL: NFCP30001	8/13/2006
Q: The unit is a Heil heat pump, the air handler in the attic comes on and goes off in a matter of ... A: James, The problem is most likely: 1. A loose fan (G terminal) wire connection at the thermostat, ...
Air conditioner compressor	8/13/2006
Q: The contactor seems to be fine. When the thermostat calls for the unit to run the fan runs but the ... A: Jonny, It is extremely unlikely that there would be a valve. Yours sounds like the classic case of ...
RESIDENTIAL CENTRAL A/C SYSTEM	8/13/2006
Q: I AM 6 MOS. IN A NEW HOME AND HAVE HAD PROBLEMS W/THE A/C. TODAY, IT IS FROZEN UP. MY MAIN ... A: Danella, The most common problems that cause a new system to ice up are: 1. Poor air flow which is ...
Buzzing at HeatPump	8/13/2006
Q: My heatpump system will make a loud buzzing noise when the system is idle or running. This only ... A: Andre, The buzzing you hear is the coil on the reversing valve solenoid and it is powered whenever ...
Slit System wont run	8/13/2006
Q: I have a 5 yr old Carrier split heatpump/ac system that wont run. I do not have 24 volt to the ... A: Andre, If the fuse that blew in the air handler was a low voltage fuse (automotive style), it is ...
furnace fan runs all the time	8/13/2006
Q: ..I have a miller outside air conditionong unit and a split system intertherm furnace,the problem ... A: Chris, The most likely cause of the fan running continuously in your case is a stuck fan relay or ...
PTAC and PTHP units	8/13/2006
Q: Would you happen to know of any directory that lists businesses who sell refurbished and/or used ... A: Bart, That is the only one I am aware of also. If you are looking for ptac's or pthp's to replace ...
Air conditioner compressor	8/13/2006
Q: My AC sometimes blows cold and sometimes hot. I saw a tech run the water hose over a compressor one ... A: Jonny, Running water from a hose over a hermetic compressor is an acceptable way to cool one off, ...
whistle	8/13/2006
Q: Our unit is 7 yrs old and recently, when it kicks on, it whistles like a tea kettle. What might ... A: Amanda, Most whistling noise is from air leaks or air restrictions. Dirty air filters are also ...
BLOWER CONTROLER	8/13/2006
Q: MODEL#ECB19-15.0-P LENOX- WHAT WOULD MAKE THE CONTROLER BURN UP -IT HUMS THEN BURNS UPIT HAS BEEN ... A: David, It appears that the model # you have is for the electric heat add-on module (ECB) for a CB ...
Air Intake Grill	8/13/2006
Q: The air intake for the AC in our master bedroom has to be left open, or it makes a tremendous ... A: Kathryn, You are correct that bypassing an air filter is not a good thing. The blower motor, blower ...
Changing a compressor	8/11/2006
Q: I understand, but all the "pros" want $950 (multiple bids, $1200-1250 including parts) to install a ... A: Al, I totally understand what you are going through and why you are skeptical - I would be also. ...
Window Air Conditioner	8/11/2006
Q: I do have access & can braze. Does it have to be silver sauter? Like for plumbing. I have been ... A: Dave, It msut be silver brazing rod (stick). Plumbing solder and plumbing flux will not work. The ...
AC unit frozen up	8/11/2006
Q: I just discovered that my AC unit is completely frozen up. I found water leaking off pipes in my ... A: Susan, The main reasons that systems ice up are: 1. Bad air flow. 2. Setting the thermostat too ...
Changing a compressor	8/11/2006
Q: That was my question. At what point do I stop and get a licensed professional and when do I kick ... A: Al, You have to get a pro in from the very beginning because of the laws regarding the recovery of ...
IAQ and HW Baseboard system	8/11/2006
Q: I am concerned about our IAQ and want to improve it with ventilation, etc. Most information I come ... A: Denise, If you do not have a forced air system you are somewhat limited in what you can do. When ...
Changing a compressor	8/11/2006
Q: Trane TTP024C1 has a verified, locked rotor. I can buy a replacement compressor. The electrical ... A: Al, The electrical part is very easy and dealing with the mechanical side of changing a compressor ...
$ of new compressor installed	8/11/2006
Q: Unfortunetly I don't have the brand info and such but I was quoted $1,100 for replacing a compressor ... A: Glen, Based on square footage of your home (since I don't know where you live I'm just guessing) ...
Blower Motor not working	8/10/2006
Q: Blake. We live in Texas, and I noticed a low whistle coming from our filter area when I got home. ... A: Brandi, It does sound a lot like the blower motor is going out. If you are pretty handy ...
freon cost	8/10/2006
Q: how much would a contractor charge me for 2 lbs. of freon . i got charged 60.00 A: Fred, If the contractor also charged a diagnostic fee or service call fee and did not do a leak ...
House Air conditioner does not come on	8/10/2006
Q: I have a Rheem Heating/Ac Unit. Lately when the unit cut on it start making noises. Maybe it was ... A: Jesus, The blower motor is most likely failing. To test it, try setting the thermostat system ...
Loud hum in outside a/c unit	8/10/2006
Q: I did some testing as you suggested. The problem seems to be electrical in nature not a vibration. ... A: Gil, If the hum only occurs while the system is running, it is the compressor. Vibration pads will ...
Air Conditioner Filter location	8/10/2006
Q: I bought a used Friedrich Quietmaster Programmable window mounted A/C unit. The light is blinking ... A: John, The filter access is through the front panel of the unit, and you can get a copy of the ...
AC Coil, Compressor (and possibly furnace) upgrade	8/10/2006
Q: Blake, I just bought a house in Memphis 4 months ago that is approx. 2200 sq. ft. with 9 (and in ... A: Antoine, Faced with the challenges that you have I would probably do the following: 1. Replace the ...
low psi home ac unit	8/10/2006
Q: I need to know what the low pressure reading should be at 95 degrees on an old (1976) central AC ... A: Tim, The proper PSIG for the low side of your sustem is dependent on the outdoor temperature, the ...
AC condensor and coil repairs	8/10/2006
Q: My AC condensor outside recently stopped working. Tech says it it gone, it was 31 yrs old. I had a ... A: Vicky, If the condensor that you replaced is 13 SEER or above, your contractor did you a HUGE ...
Central air	8/10/2006
Q: I live in Detroit MI. I have 21/2 ton carrier central unit. Ten years old. Since 7 weeks, we did ... A: Rao, This is a very large leak and should be easy to find. Call the service manager of the company ...
PEX Tubing and Boilers	8/10/2006
Q: Is there a PEX tubing made that can be safely used as a supply and return line for a low mass ... A: Jeremy, I have not been able to located PEX rated higher than 200 degrees. You might want to try ...
How to reduce noice and vibration from the AC	8/10/2006
Q: I have an AC system installed in the attic above the master bedroom. It's mounted on a solid wood ... A: Boris, The noise problem that you are experiencing is why my company will NEVER install a furnace ...
ac warranty repair	8/10/2006
Q: I have an ac unit that is under warranty and had to have a new compressor. Since it is still under ... A: Susan, The warranty on your compressor was a "limited warranty" meaning that the manufacturer will ...
Relocating an AC Blower Unit	8/10/2006
Q: ..thank you very much for the information! Yes, it would be the air handler :-) I could not ... A: Tim, A/C units are designed to condition the air in the home and can only do this if they ...
Temperature at vents	8/10/2006
Q: Blake I am having trouble keeping my house below 80 degrees right now. While I realize that there a ... A: Scot, That is pretty high. It is almost as high as if only the fan was running and not the cooling. ...
air conditioning to unused rooms	8/9/2006
Q: I want to close off the dampers (not registers) and doors to rooms that I do not use in the summer ... A: Jim, You can close off around 25% of the volume of the system and still be okay in cooling. Any ...
blower fan on a/c unit is squealing	8/9/2006
Q: I have a heating and air unit that has an Air Ease Johnson logo on the outside of the unit and on ... A: Kelly, Good call, it is your fan. The tech was probably wrong because a power surge would almost ...
air condition	8/9/2006
Q: we just moved into a new apartment june 26. ever since around july 15 my wife has had trouble ... A: Chuck, It sounds like you have a real challenge. The copper lines that you describe are the suction ...
Heat Pump/Air Handler	8/9/2006
Q: We have a heatpump system for cooling/heating. It's a 2 stage heating/1 stage cooling system. It's ... A: Fred, It is most likely a wire that is shorted somewhere. Did you install a new thermostat that is ...
A/C	8/9/2006
Q: Mr. Ballard, how much would a circuit switch or a relay switch (not really sure what it is called) ... A: Armando, If you are talking about a breaker, you would need to know the brand of your electrical ...
Air vent covers	8/9/2006
Q: Blake - I live in a 2 bedroom condo where the master bedroom is the farthest room from the air ... A: James, You should never shut off more than 25% of the registers in a system because it can cause ...
Air Cond Outside Fan Stays On	8/9/2006
Q: With the thermostat not calling for cooling, and the outdoor fan running, the large tube does not ... A: Cory, Thanks for chasing down the info. Based on what you have told me, the compressor is not ...
air conditioning	8/9/2006
Q: i live in texas, been in new home 3 mts. and noticed drops of water coming from central ac vents in ... A: Octavia, The drops of water could be a problem with the condensate drain of your system. You should ...
air conditioners 110vac vs 220vac	8/9/2006
Q: I have a small room that needs air conditioning. I have been told that I need a 220 vac system ... A: Jim, Higher voltage is inherently more efficient when it comes to electricity and air conditioning. ...
AC air flow and ducting	8/9/2006
Q: I have low airflow in one of my bedrooms and the builder won't fix it so I'm tasked to do it myself ... A: Steve, I am not sure what the procedure is in your state, but where I live it is a relatively easy ...
Should my heat work even if it's hot outside?	8/9/2006
Q: We recently had a new control panel installed due to an a/c issue. After it was installed, we ... A: Melissa, Home warranty companies are notorious for giving bad information, so it is always a good ...
AC unit not cooling	8/9/2006
Q: Yesterday, we had bad thunderstorms in the area and some power was out in surrounding ... A: Clay, Surges have been known to damage and even kill compressors. It sounds like you may have ...
AC tonage	8/9/2006
Q: I have a 2yr old Fedders ac installed in a new home by the builder. Model # C1036BBDIV - How can I ... A: Kathy, It is a 3-ton unit. The 36 in the model number stands for 36,000 BTU's which equals 3 tons ...
Loud hum in outside a/c unit	8/9/2006
Q: Last year I had a Gibson split system air conditioner with gas heat installed to heat and cool an ... A: Gil, Compressor noise gets transmitted through the pipes either due to excessive vibration at the ...
Air Cond Outside Fan Stays On	8/8/2006
Q: I have a York air conditioner model MC 24-10A Serial Number FM 107559. It sits outside my house with ... A: Cory, On a call for cooling from your thermostat, the indoor blower turns on, and the outdoor fan ...
13 Seer condensor to 10 seer evaperator	8/8/2006
Q: I purchased my home 3 1/2 ago, it has a newer Ducane furnace less than 5 yrs old, the previous owner ... A: Patrick, The ones that are telling you that you can connect a 13 SEER condensor to a 10 SEER coil ...
air conditioning won't turn off	8/8/2006
Q: The house is getting too cold. There is also a puddle of water in the basement around the base of ... A: Joshua, You are about guaranteed to have a bad thermostat or wiring that is shorted. Set the ...
Dual Zone Heating/Air Conditioner	8/8/2006
Q: I recently purchased a 3 level townhouse with dual zone heating/AC. One thermostat is on the 3rd ... A: Brian, A zoning system would be an "add-on" for that air conditioner. This means that you have a ...
Air Conditioner not turning on	8/8/2006
Q: My air conditioner (American Standard installed 1996) stopped running this past weekend. During the ... A: Jennifer, If you found the circuit breaker in the OFF position, it probably tripped and was really ...
Relocating an AC Blower Unit	8/8/2006
Q: We want to move our central heating and air conditioning units blower unit from a closet next to our ... A: Tim, Yes - you can relocate the air handler into a garage. They are located there and also placed ...
Climate Master AC	8/8/2006
Q: Thermostat temp. set 25 degrees celcius Recently the exterior fan has been eratic, shuting off & on ... A: Bruce, If you could find the model number of your system, it would help greatly. Also, is it a ...
AC unit bad	8/8/2006
Q: Ballard, I have an old Dunham-Bush system that the outside ac unit went bad. The model # is 3.6 ... A: Mike, That is correct. Tons are tons, are blind to brand, and really have no almost no relationship ...
Air Conditoning	8/8/2006
Q: Hey Blake: My air conditioning unit doesn't cool the house properly - one side of house is hot and ... A: Lynn, Since I don't know where you are, it is a little hard for me to guess about the tonnage ...
air conditioning won't turn off	8/8/2006
Q: I have a white-rodgers control unit for air conditioning and heat (all electric). For some reason, ... A: Joshua, Many people get confused about what is not turning off, so allow me to make sure I ...
HVAC: Cold Air blowing out PVC Drain Pipe	8/8/2006
Q: My house is brand new, finished December 2005 and I am the first owner. THe entire summer we have ... A: Jake, A couple of different issues here. The first is that the system is running to manufacturer's ...
Heating / A/C thermostat replacement	8/8/2006
Q: The furnace was not off when i replaced the t stat. the wires did spark when the old one was broken ... A: Glenn, The jumper should be identified in the instructions that came with the new thermostat, but ...
Air Conditor	8/8/2006
Q: I'm hoping you can help me with my home air conditior... Our Samsung (not sure of the model) spits ... A: Rose, I need a little more infomation, please. Is your unit a through the wall unit, window unit, ...
Lennox air cooling	8/8/2006
Q: I have the lennox air not cooling when I set the thermostat to cool and auto, the air only blow when ... A: John, The most likely cause of the problem you describe is a bad or miswired thermostat. Did you ...
Residential A/C	8/7/2006
Q: I live in the Midatlantic (summer daytimes about 85-95) and I have a Bryant central air conditioner ... A: Gary, There really is no such thing as "head pressure variance" when it comes to what he was ...
HVAC Ruud System	8/7/2006
Q: The fan for my HVAC unit in the attic is not coming on. There is a humming sound and the outside ... A: Arnold, The fan may be coming on but is just not moving any air due to an iced indoor coil. This is ...
Heating / A/C thermostat replacement	8/7/2006
Q: The old t stat has - W G R Y RC The new t stat has - W G R Y. The old one had the red wire going to ... A: Glenn, It looks to me like you have the correct thermostat, and since the R and RC were jumped ...
Cooling garage	8/7/2006
Q: Ballard: We have a three car garage that has three garage doors and a door with access to the deck ... A: John, Computers don't need to be in a conditioned area for storage (not operation) - they are ...
Heater Size	8/7/2006
Q: how many heating BTU's wiil i need for a cellar that is 28'x32' and 8' high. i will use natural gas, ... A: Rodney, In order to help you I will need some questions answered. Is the cellar one big room? What ...
Condensation in hvac unit	8/7/2006
Q: I live in a mobile home and we have a Coleman Evcon HVAC unit(EB Series-downflow/upflow electric ... A: Tonya, The A-frame unit is the indoor coil and it is completely normal for it to produce condensate ...
Heat Pump / AC Cycling	8/7/2006
Q: Followup To Question - I live in Stafford, VA (22554), two story colonial, 2200 sq ft. I have a ... A: Neil, Great job! You have done everything right and the contactor you ordered will do just fine. ...
air conditioning-instalation	8/7/2006
Q: On March 15th 2006 i installed a new air condition at my house (American Standard Split system; ... A: Andrew, It is unfortunate that you had a bad experience at installation of your new system. Failure ...
central air not working	8/7/2006
Q: We live in a condo in Portland, Oregon. This morning, we noticed that our ac wasn't working and the ... A: Ron, The pan and the float switch are designed to shut the system down in the event of a condensate ...
no power to thermostat	8/6/2006
Q: I have a heat pump system w/auxillary heat. I live in cincinnati ohio. My problems started when I ... A: Tomm, Thanks for all the info - it really helps. It looks to me like you are wired correctly at the ...
A/C unit	8/6/2006
Q: Last weekend, we had a dirty air filter that caused the a/c unit to freeze. We have since replaced ... A: Melanie, Anything that restricts the airflow can cause the indoor coil to freeze over with ice. A ...
Air Handler Fan	8/6/2006
Q: I have been having some problems with my upstairs unit. I have a 1.5 ton heat pump w/ac. It started ... A: Rhonda, Anytime a service person adds refrigerant (Freon) to a system you should ask where he found ...
Heating / A/C thermostat replacement	8/6/2006
Q: I replaced the thermostat with a new digital Honeywell. The A/C and the furnace seem to be operating ... A: Glenn, The new thermostat will not work for the type of setup you have IF on the old thermostat R ...
Condensation from referigerant lines	8/6/2006
Q: I live in San Antonio, TX, very humid and have a split heat pump system (outside compressor, inside ... A: Larry, Thanks for all the info - it really helps. The large line is the suction line and it must ...
Air conditioner problem	8/6/2006
Q: I have a Sear's Kenmore Model #1068701890 18000BTU air conditioner.The compressor runs ... A: Jim, Since you are hearing a click when the thermostat control should be turning the compressor ...
Heat Pump / AC Cycling	8/6/2006
Q: I live in Stafford, VA (22554), two story colonial, 2200 sq ft. I have a Trane WeatherTron XE800, ... A: Neil, I think you and I wrote back at the same time. See my previous response and it will most ...
Heat Pump / AC Cycling	8/6/2006
Q: I live in Stafford, VA (22554), two story colonial, 2200 sq ft. I have a Trane WeatherTron XE800, ... A: Neil, Good job on your part for the way you went through the testing. Since the compressor is not ...
Iced up window A/C unit	8/6/2006
Q: I saw your recent response to Cristina. I have the same problem. My unit is spotless. I clean the ... A: Monk, If the filter and coil are clean and you are not setting the temperature too low (not likely ...
Heat Pump / AC Cycling	8/6/2006
Q: I live in Stafford, VA (22554), two story colonial, 2200 sq ft. I have a Trane WeatherTron XE800, ... A: Neil, Assuming that the system really is shutting off and you do not hear the compressor running ...
Temperature control	8/6/2006
Q: Is it better to keep the house at a constant temperature, for example 78 degrees or to have the set ... A: WD, Good question. There are different schools of thought on this one. Utility companies will ...
Condensation on outside air vent	8/5/2006
Q: The AC external air vent (above the garage) drips constantly when the AC is running. It only occurs ... A: Kevin, Conditions that will cause condensation on ductwork are pretty much the same as will cause ...
Blower motor with/ without capacitor	8/5/2006
Q: In the back of the cage door of the furnace there is a wiring diagram for a motor. It shows you can ... A: Cucho, The motors you are writing about area a shaded pole (SP) and a permanent split capacitor ...
Window Unit A/C has a burning smell	8/5/2006
Q: My window unit stopped blowing out air but it is still on and it has a burning smell coming from the ... A: Robbie, It sounds to me like your fan motor is overloading and shutting down. When it cools off, it ...
AC unit - Fan blade busted	8/5/2006
Q: I've got two Lennox units. One of them had a fan bldade break as a result of the unit dropping down ... A: Valerie, The parts that were damaged are the condenser fan blade and the condenser coil (radiator ...
Adding New Air Returns to Trunk	8/5/2006
Q: I am finishing my basement in a new home. I need to cut into the top of my existing air return trunk ... A: Jay, Without a great deal of information from you first there would be now way to help you. Square ...
Intratherm by Better Design	8/5/2006
Q: I purchased a used Intratherm by Better Design. The information isn't on the tag due to weather.I ... A: Farrell, All units are required by their safety listing (UL or ETL)to have a manufacturer's ...
Air Condition	8/5/2006
Q: I have a 3400 square foot house,about 2000 on main and 1400 upstairs, i have 2 ac units, the largest ... A: Steve, Air conditioning units are sized for the area in the home that they serve, but when we do ...
air conditioner	8/5/2006
Q: I have a Trane Unit which is about 15 year old Water will not come through the drain pipe and is ... A: Dennis, The drain pipe is plugged. Most often it happens at the indoor coil where it connects. If ...
a chunk of ice in my air conditioner	8/5/2006
Q: i have a small air conditioner that sits outside of a window. it hasnt been working as well lately ... A: Cristina, You need to allow the system to remain off for enough time for it to defrost completely. ...
Central Air	8/4/2006
Q: We suffered a power outage last night, and from that point, our outside unit will not come on. We ... A: Donny, The most likely problem is that the outside unit tripped a breaker or blew a fuse. Find the ...
Germicidal Lamp Life	8/4/2006
Q: I have a Carrier central air conditioning system which was installed in Jan. '05. An accessory ... A: Russ, From all of the truly independent (not manufacturer's literature) tests that I have seen, the ...
4 yr old heil ac. inside unit hums, outside continues to run	8/4/2006
Q: Recently my Heil nfcp3000 unit started blowing uncooled air when it got really hot outside. We ... A: Paul, What you describe sounds to me like multiple problems. The inside blower problem sounds like ...
Air Handler condensation	8/4/2006
Q: I have a Goodman air handler in my crawl space. Unit is new due to new construction. I have noticed ... A: Kevin, You need to make sure that the water on the bottom of the air handler is condensation ...
Maryland Home AC issues	8/4/2006
Q: . Initial discrepancy.. room temp air out of air con returns.. No manufacturer's label on the ... A: Jeremy, Good job so far! Since the fan in the outdoor unit is running you can be fairly confident ...
ceiling fans	8/4/2006
Q: We have a master bedroom that is off the main hallway at the opposite end of the house. when the air ... A: Don, Ranch style houses are usually fairly easy for a/c installs. Ask for references and call 3 a/c ...
Noisy A/C Unit	8/4/2006
Q: I have a Fraser-Johnston system installed in 1988 fan unit model#namb fd 14 ac; heat pump model ... A: S, You must have had great luck with your system. It is well past average life for an air ...
Size of A/C unit	8/4/2006
Q: I just got a spacepak unit installed in my 2600 SqFt. Washington, DC rowhome. There was a 1.5 ton ... A: Cory, Based on a GUESS, the system sounds very undersized. The contractor that installed it should ...
AC running constantly w/65% humidity	8/4/2006
Q: I recently had a 2 ton carrier Infinity AC unit model# 24ANA7 installed in a 3 level townhome with ... A: Bill, First, the hygrometer should be read only when placed either at the return grille or ...
Window A/C performance	8/3/2006
Q: I have an Amana 7M11TA 6600 BTU window air conditioner that is 7 years old. The problem is that, ... A: Dennis, Good call - it does sound like the system needs to be recharged. But... Refrigerant does ...
old Tappan HVAC	8/3/2006
Q: I have an old Tappan UP120C13 (IFU) Furnace. Its heat exchanger is cracked. How can I have it ... A: Mike, Whether or not they can get the heat exchanger depends on how old the furnace is. Usually the ...
Central Air Conditioning	8/3/2006
Q: I'm not aware of the brand and type of my furnice w/air conditioner system. I live in Ohio. The air ... A: Elisa, Just like a cold glass of ice water will condense moisture on a humid day, so will an air ...
Compressor runs continuously	8/3/2006
Q: My house AC seems to be working correctly. Thermostat turns on the AC and turns off the fan when ... A: Bob, What you are describing is almost always due to the contactor (like a big relay the turns ...
Air conditioning air flow	8/3/2006
Q: My Bryant central A/C (furnace w/ A/C) is putting out cold air, but at a very reduced flow rate. ... A: Matt, Thanks for all the info - it makes it easier to help. Something is causing the reduced ...
Kenmore window AC.	8/3/2006
Q: Compressor starts but fan motor does not. Fan motor turns freely by hand. Unit only 2 years old. A: John, The fan turns freely, so the bearings are okay. You either have a fan control problem ...
a/c venting hot air	8/3/2006
Q: I have a window a/c 18,000btu in a cutout wall opening cooling my living space. The back of the a/c ... A: George, You have a bit of a challenge. It helps to think of air conditioners as machines that move ...
Condensor problem	8/3/2006
Q: I have a 2 ton Goodman unit that is blowing only slightly cold air. The large pipe from the ... A: Steve, If you could give me an idea of what the indoor and outdoor temperatures were at the time ...
Dripping moisture from AC ducts	8/3/2006
Q: We have a central AC unit. We just noticed that the duct work in our basement/cellar is literally ... A: Lynn, Conditions that will cause condensation on ductwork are pretty much the same as will cause ...
Central Air	8/3/2006
Q: We have a central air unit. It cools all of the house very well except the 2 upstairs bedrooms. ... A: Lindy, Either there is inadequate airflow to the bedrooms (likely due to bad duct design) or a ...
a/c problem	8/2/2006
Q: We have a central air unit with the filter located under the house. Earlier today my husband ... A: Kim, If the filter is located inside the furnace or air handler which is under the house, it is ...
Home HVAC question	8/2/2006
Q: My question is this: I have a two story house that I can maintaine a 70deg setting on my 1st floor ... A: Greg, What you are describing is a very common situation where there is only one system that serves ...
central air condition unit	8/2/2006
Q: Today while the air was running the unit inside started to make a noise like a lawn mower. Would ... A: Paul, In cooling mode, the parts that are moving and would make that kind of noise are the blower ...
Janitrol central air(Fan)	8/2/2006
Q: I have a Janitrol central air conditioning unit. It is from 1974,series 44. The fan fell off. I was ... A: Rob, Fan blades and blower wheels are held onto the motor shaft by a set screw that screws down ...
a/c	8/2/2006
Q: My unit keeps running continuosly but is not cooling down the house. This is the third summer this ... A: Yvonne, What has the tech been repairing in the previous years? If he has been adding Freon ...
A/C WONT STOP	8/2/2006
Q: BUT THE A/C STILL RUNS ON THE INSIDE? ALSO IF I GO TO SHUT OFF THE THERMOSTAT --THE SAME THING IT ... A: Joan, When you write that the inside unit continues to run I am assuming that you mean that the ...
No condensate from A/C	8/2/2006
Q: My upstairs unit is not cooling to temp (6-10 degrees off). Just had freon recharge. I noticed ... A: Bob, Condensate only forms when there is enough humidity in the air AND the system is running with ...
Heat pump fan	8/1/2006
Q: Our house has a heat pump that seems to have an intermittant problem. May work fine for sevral days ... A: Arlen, The situation you describe can cause damage to your compressor if you leave it running as ...
Goodman Heat Pump	8/1/2006
Q: I had a Goodman Heat Pump professionally installed in my home about 2+ years ago to cool my ... A: John, It sounds to me like you have done a good job and checked everything you can. Given the ...
air conditioning	8/1/2006
Q: Yesterday we had power surges going on from 2pm till 11 p.m. The temp in the house rose to 85. this ... A: Reggie, Since I don't know what time you submitted your request or how long the system has been ...
Portable Air Conditioner	8/1/2006
Q: I have a portable air conditioner (Sunbeam KY-25), I bought it used and it did not come with the ... A: Nicole, I am sorry, but the type of air conditioner you are writing about is something with which I ...
damage from AC clogged drain	8/1/2006
Q: Yes, I did ask in a slight panic yesterday and didn't give you much info. Sorry. I have an air pump ... A: Robin, Leaks coming through the ceiling air vent can do so because the water is actually leaking ...
pro series condenser	8/1/2006
Q: Looking for disributor or sales contact to order replacement parts for a Pro Series condenser. Model ... A: John, "Pro Series" sounds like a model line name and I don't recognize it as the name of a ...
Kenmore 10000 btu ac	8/1/2006
Q: I have a Kenmore 10,000 btu ac unit, the model number is 25374106300. It has a remote unit and a ... A: John, If the remote is working okay, but the touch pad isn't, it sounds that the problem is most ...
central air	8/1/2006
Q: I have a lennox 2 1/2 ton central air. It has froze up twice now in the last couple weeks. It has ... A: Matt, Icing of the indoor coil is usually cause by low air flow, setting the thermostat too low, or ...
Dryer Venting into Crawl Space	8/1/2006
Q: We are building a new home in Pell City, Alabama. Two utility rooms are located interior to outside ... A: Harry, I am not sure that there would be any advantage of venting clothes dryers into a crawl ...
blower speed	7/31/2006
Q: I have a 1st Co. air handler and wanted to increase the blower speed to high. When it was last ... A: Thomas, First, before you do anything to your air handler, disconnect all power. To change the ...
damage from AC clogged drain	7/31/2006
Q: My drain was clogged causing the intake vent in my daughters room to leak. When the tech fixed it, ... A: Robin, I need a little more information. Where is your system (furnace or air handler) located and ...
Air Conditioner won't cut off	7/31/2006
Q: It seems that our central air conditioner continues to run even when the room temp drops lower than ... A: Dollie, When you write that the air conditioner keeps running I am not sure if the entire system ...
heating and air conditioning	7/31/2006
Q: I live in cucamonga, ca (san bernardino county)My residence was built over 25yrs ago. I am replacing ... A: Bob, The only website or which I am aware that makes objective comparisons for central cooling and ...
Outside A/C Condensor Fan	7/31/2006
Q: I recently went on vacation for a week and while I was gone I set my thermostats higher to save ... A: The fact that the bower runs when the thermostat calls for cooling indicates that the thermostat is ...

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