Any HVAC experts? Concerned about central air performance.

LS3C6

LS3C6

Forum Member
Hey, I have a 2001 built 2000sq/ft bi-level and a 29000btu air conditioner, i've disassembled it to clean the coils/fins and also replaced the furnace filter, verified drain operation and sealed the minor air leaks near the exchanger and coil... but I haven't been impressed with the performance of the unit.

Keep in mind this is my first home and the first time i've had any experience with central air conditioning (always had window shakers), but it just doesn't seem to have the horsepower to really cool the house down... I run it 78 when i'm gone and it goes to 74 at 4:30p about 1.5hr before I get home... but i'm noticing it's only good to reduce the temperature by 1-2 degrees PER HOUR... so that means the 3000 watts it's drawing turns into about 30 cents an hour and it isn't REALLY cooling the house off like I *think* it should, could the refridgerant be low or any other things I should check?

I metered the air coming from the vents and it's about 48-50 degrees while on and I closed the basement vents, so i'm really only trying to cool ~1200sq/ft (2 ~12x12 bedrooms/open concept living room-kitchen-dining area with 14ft ceilings and 1 average sized bathroom)
 
im in the same boat as you, i called DTE and added my central air to my protection plan...im going to call them in 15 days for service :)
 
Similiar situation here, apparently my duct work should be a larger diameter. Ac unit has good charge, everything else is good. I think you could do a blower door test?
 
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well I called to inquire for service and was told it's operating totally normal and a residential system is only designed to bring the temp down 20 degrees below ambient with no humidity, so on days like we had tuesday/wedsnesday/thursday it will probably run non stop
 
Can't do much to help ya there. Whats the duct tempature ? inside vs outside ? EI whats the tempature of the cold air return vs the output ?
 
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