Question:
I'm having trouble with my central home airconditioner (live in Ohio, USA).
I'm pretty savvy with electrical things, but this veers on the mechanical!
The problem is that the heat exchanger (mounted directly above the furnace
heat exchanger) is freezing up. I suspect that the main blower motor may be
coming to an end of its useful life. This is because at around the time I
have noticed that the system is freezing up, I have begun to hear bearing
noise from the blower motor. I also figure that with insufficient air flow,
the air conditioner coils would not be warmed up, and would freeze over.
Can anyone help, even if to tell me that there is an alternative news group
that may better deal with this type of question?
Answer:
You need to start with basic maintenance before you do anything else.
The outside condenser coil must be taken apart and the coil thoroughly
cleaned. (power turned off of course). The evaporator coil inside the
furnace must be clean also. Few people realize this. SOme times the air
plenum must be cut open to get to the bottom of the evaporator coil
to clean it. Once its cleaned, the plenum must be sealed back up.
Oil the bearings on the furnace motor (if there not sealed) change the
belt (if its not direct drive). Change the filter.
If you have done all of that and the air flow is sufficient and its still
freezing up
you could actually be low on charge. Do all the maintenance first before you
even think about getting refrigerant added.
