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Cindy K
Cindy K Decatur, GA on Aug 04, 2011
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Can anyone answer this air conditioning question for me.

My daughter lives in a two story house, with two units, one for downstairs and one for upstairs. Downstairs unit is working and cooling okay, upstairs unit runs all the time (blows air but the air does not feel cool at all) and it is beyond hot up there. My son-in-law says it is from the heat rising from 1st floor and the high temps outside and his solution is to open a window up there and put a fan in to blow hot air out. I say the upstairs unit is not working right and needs to be checked for problems. Anyone offer suggestions? Thanks!!
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7 Comments
  • SawHorse.net Atlanta, GA
    Could be several things in this weather:

    1. Improperly sized HVAC

    2. Leaky ductwork

    3. Not enough insulation

    4. Bad compressor ...»

    5. Leaky house

    I would recommend getting an energy assessment on their house since it could be one or many of these things. The it is not a matter of the heat rising from the first floor in the Summer. Heat is coming down from the hot attic. It will heat up to 140 degrees in the attic today. I am also assuming that they live in the South. What is the temp in the attic? Did it work last year?

    on Aug 04, 2011 · Like 1
  • Cindy K Decatur, GA
    They live in Lawrenceville GA and this is their first summer in the house. I will check the attic for how much insulation and the temp. Heat coming down from attic makes a lot of sense. Not sure about leaky house before but that is certainly a problem now since he put a fan in the window... :)

    Could you please tell me who would do an energy assessment?

    Thanks for your response SawHorse, Inc. I appreciate it!

    on Aug 04, 2011 · Like 1
  • SawHorse.net Atlanta, GA
    I like to work with this company http://www.greensummitconsulting.com/

    Tell them SawHorse recommended them and ask for our pricing. If they are a GA Power client, they will get a $200 rebate. The report will detail what the problem is and recommend several solutions as well.

    on Aug 04, 2011 · Like 1
  • Paul M Fairburn, GA
    What SawHorse said at the outset is dead on. However there is one other possibility, you may have a refrigerant leak. If your system is low on refrigerant it won't operate properly and it puts a strain on the compressor as well. If you do have a leak it may be repairable or it may not be worth it. So was this upstairs system working before this year rolled around? Also most upstairs areas are a bit warmer than downstairs areas due to heat rise in an average home. But if it sized right and ...»
    the house is sealed as well as insulated properly then they upstairs can be made to be as comfortable as the downstairs.

    on Aug 04, 2011 · Like 1
  • French Remodeling Kansas City, MO
    Sounds like the unit needs to be charged and checked out. If you have an open staircase to the downstairs the cold air is going down the staircase. Close all the doors upstairs to keep the air from going down the staircase.
    on Aug 04, 2011 · Like 1
  • Woodbridge Environmental ... Colonia, NJ
    If the air is blowing warm then the system requires service. Most likely a charge of gas.

    You did not say if it was a window unit or system with fan inside and large compressor located outside. If its the latter you can do a look see if the outside system is running or not.

    Be sure to turn on AC control down so the system begins to run. Then go outside and check to see if the outdoor unit is running. If not, there should be a switch mounted on the wall. Open it and ...»

    check to see if there are fuses. You may need to pull the little handle out on the inside of the box. This will release the fuse holder in your hand. Change the fuses if they are there. If no fuses are there, then check the indoor power panel. Make sure the breaker or fuses for the AC have not tripped or blown.

    If the outdoor unit is running then you need a charge of refergerant.

    on Aug 04, 2011 · Like 1
  • SawHorse.net Atlanta, GA
    Correct- it could be a breaker, fuse or low refrigerant as well. All of these can be fixed by an HVAC service company.
    on Aug 04, 2011 · Like 1

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