Replies

1. 
   rich_troha | Jun 13, 2001 04:49am | #1

   *
   I need advice regarding Timber Tech planks for deck surfaces. Does this product hold up to Ohio winters or does it just soak up water and fall apart? Should it be stained to improve repelling water? Does anyone have any real experience with this product over a few years?

1. 
   Ralph_Wicklund | Jun 13, 2001 04:54am | #2

   *I'll bet you receive a number of calls each year about annual service from the folks who installed your unit or others and you have ignored them. Just another company trying to sell you something you don't need. Right?Well, this is one service you need. Crud does build up in your compressor fins and reduces the air flow and the heat exchange ability. You could clean that out yourself. Crud also builds up on your inside coils, doing the same thing. Normally, you wouldn't want to clean that yourslf. It can be a real pain. And, addressing the ice on the compressor coils, low freon will produce that symptom. You could have a leak and that needs to be fixed. Call your favorite HVAC company and get the service.

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   Ralph_Wicklund | Jun 13, 2001 04:56am | #3

   *rich,delete this question here and repost it by clicking on new discussion. You have "hijacked" another guys thread on A/C problems.

1. 
   ChuckT_ | Jun 13, 2001 05:11am | #4

   *Thanks for the scoop. In my defense, I haven't ignored those calls, I haven't gotten them. In fact, chasing someone down to maintain instead of repair has been an uphill climb. I inherited this puppy with the house, this being only the second cooling season. The freezing is on the inside coil. Does that prompt any further thoughts?

1. 
   CaseyR_ | Jun 13, 2001 05:18am | #5

   *Come on - 90 degrees, that's hardly warm. Given the impending electricity crisis that is likely to extend to the East coast, you should be practicing toughing it out with that mild temperature so you will be ready for the black-out when the really high temperatures hit (at least 100 degrees with humidity to match, and up...)There was a similar thread about a month ago which may be applicable for your situation: jon ledebuhr "what causes my air condidioner to Freeze????" 5/10/01 8:19pm

2. 
   Davo_ | Jun 13, 2001 07:22am | #6

   *Hi Chuck.Like Ralph pointed out, could be a number of things.When was the last time you checked your furnace filter? Many times this can be the culprit. If the condensate pan located on the bottom of your "A" coil inside your furnace plenum is clogged, then this will "back-up" and allow your coils to freeze. Many condensate pans have plastic tubing attached as a drain line. This line either drains into your sewer line directly, or else first goes into a small pump; which would be attached to the outside of your furnace unit. This pump then routes the condensate away. If you have plastic drain line like this, disconnect it and see whether or not this tubing is clogged up. If it is, this could be your problem. Setting your AC too low can also freeze up your coils, and like Ralph pointed out, a freon leak will also cause a freeze. A faulty thermostat can also cause the same thing.Do the simple things first...check filter, drain lines and any dirt build-up on fins of "A" coil. Leave your AC unit off for a while so it will allow the ice to melt, then clean everything as best you can.If after having done this, your AC immediately freezes up again...good chance you have a leak or thermostat problem. (more inclined to say leak, but thermostats do go bad from time to time). Either way, time to call for a professional check-up.Look in the local yellow pages under Heating & Cooling. I bet there's lots of companies listed who will gladly make a service call.LOL.Davo.

3. 
   Ken_Layfield | Jun 13, 2001 06:20pm | #7

   *Chuck, Out of curiosity, does your AC happen to be a Lennox. I had my A coil replaced twice, seems it gets a small pinhole in the middle. The refrigerant leaks out and it freezes up. I am interested in finding out if there is anybody out there that experienced the same thing. I called Lennox and they said it was just a coincidence and they have had no other complaints.

4. 
   BrianGale | Jun 13, 2001 09:21pm | #8

   *Check blower speed when running against manufacturer's specs...amperage draw on fan may equate to CFM's of air moved...not enough air moving by A coil could cause it to freeze I would think...also may explain diminshed output at vents...tired blower maybe...?Good luck-Brian

5. 
   Norm_Malcosky | Jun 13, 2001 10:53pm | #9

   *Sounds like your system has lost some Freon. This results in the system running with an abnormally low pressure in the "A" coil (evaporator). This low pressure causes the liquid Freon to expand into a vapor at a much lower temperature than desired - condensing and freezing any moisture from the air passing through the "A" coil. You will probably have to pay someone to find and repair the leak before adding any more Freon. This type of repair often takes specialized equipment, knowledge, and techniques - so don't be surprised if the fix costs a few $$. You may be able to coax a few more days of comfort from the AC system by defrosting the "A" coil completely of ice and then manually turning the system on/off. It will produce a few BTUs of cooling before the ice begins to form again - blocking air flow. This may be of value, because you will probably have to wait for a few day for a repair man to schedule you. And the summer heat is upon us at least in OHIO, 95 today!!

6. 
   Luka_ | Jun 13, 2001 10:57pm | #10

   *Move to washington state.The temp today is still not going to reach 50 where I am.Or Montana. I hear it snowed there last night.; )

7. 
   Ryan_C | Jun 13, 2001 11:21pm | #11

   *I've spent the last two days doing nothing but repairing airconditioning systems. Your problem is almost certainly one of three things:1) Too little freon. When the freon level gets low, it evaporates too fast (called "flashing")and gets too cold. This of course makes your evaporator coil too cold and it starts to freeze up.2) Your filters or the evaporator itself is dirty and plugged up. With no warm air flowing through the evaporator to keep it from getting too cold, it does and freezes.3) Your blower fan isn't blowing. Same result as problem 2.Could be a lot of other really wierd things but I'm 99% sure it's one of the above three.Thaw it out, and continue to use it until you can get somebody out to look at it.

8. 
   ChuckT_ | Jun 14, 2001 02:51am | #12

   *Ken, It's not a Lennox. It sounds like the same problem, but I think my problem is based mostly on age.

2. 
   ChuckT_ | Jun 14, 2001 02:51am | #13

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   We're having our first really hot spell here in Maryland and I've noticed that my A/C hasn't been able to maintain the set temperature. My initial thought was that the "A" coil might be clogged with crud because there also seems to be diminished output from the vents. Upon inspecting the coil, I see that it's frozen solid. It's frosted over just like the old style freezers. Can someone offer some guidance about what causes this?