Central Air Not Cooling House

[Terminated]

I know we got some HVAC guys on here so maybe someone can shed some light or give me an idea what I might be getting into.

Our central A/C unit is about 25 yrs old (yes, I know), but I would like to try and get the most out of it before replacing. Our furnace unit, however, is only about 6-7 yrs old.

I've got the thermostat set to 77 right now and the house is only reading 79. The A/C is running constantly to try and keep the house cool.

I check the two lines coming in from the compressor and the big line is cool and has a little condensation around the insulation. The small brass line is warm to the touch.

I haven't checked out at the compressor yet but the air coming out of the top is usually warm to moderately hot. It seems like the unit is working but maybe just needs re-charged??

What all may be involved in getting in re-charged, or are there some other things I can check? HVAC is definitely not one of my fortes.

Thanks!

Dan

[Terminated]

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Outside label

[Silverhatch]

if you can, check the a coil to see if its cold. I've seen them freeze up. would have to turn on the heat, melt it, then it would work fine.

[Cam99]

If the suction line (larger one with insulation is on it) is cold and sweating, but not ice covered, and the outdoor unit is blowing hot air then the system is working. It's possible that it might need a little refrigerant ( we call that style ac you have "lennox leakers" LOL) but it's not far off or you would be seeing ice everywhere the suction line isn't insulated and no heat coming out of condensor.

[venom]

I had mine charged today. It took more than a pound of R22. Expensive crap. I hope my leak isn't too bad...

Good luck!

[Cam99]

I had mine charged today. It took more than a pound of R22. Expensive crap. I hope my leak isn't too bad...

Good luck!

I had to charge one today that took 5 pounds of 22

22 more than tripled in price since last year, but is dropping slowly.

[PaxtonShelby]

That 25 year old unit is on borrowed time but it sounds like you already know that. We replaced ours 2 years ago - it lived 32 long hard years!! But the last few years it struggled to cool the house. If we hadn't run into a bunch of other house-related expenses ( new roof, replaced the 2nd floor exterior stucco boards and trim with Hardy Board, remodeled game room after snow/ice/water damage ), we would have replaced the A/C unit much sooner.

[89 vert]

Clean outdoor condenser with simple green. The cleaner, the better. Spray the cleaner on the coils, then remove the fan and spray water into the coil, shooting the water to the outside of the unit....Next change your indoor filter..Next check to see if any of your indoor registers are blocked or restricted by furniture, clothing etc. Do not try to lower the temp on your stat when the house is warm, set it and leave it. Dont use the programming function of the stat in cooling mode, the unit will over work to remove the humidity in the house.

[Terminated]

Hmm OK I will have to check into those things, thanks guys. I checked outside again and the air coming out was relatively cool, whereas usually it's warmer.

I will mess with it when I get home from work today.

[89 vert]

If its cool then the charge could be low as Cam said, or the compressor is down..try to feel the compressor to see if its warm, (watch it might be hot) If its not warm, then the terminals may have burnt off or the capicator is shot

[scorpio333]

Good luck, we just replaced our 25 yr old AC and furnace a couple weeks ago. Now I got condensation on the windows and it's too fricken cold in the house at times to go bare foot.