On Fri, 10 Jun 2016 20:25:47 -0700, "Cheri" >
wrote:

>
>"Brooklyn1" > wrote in message
.. .
>> On Fri, 10 Jun 2016 19:37:25 -0400, Ed Pawlowski > wrote:
>>
>>>On 6/10/2016 10:46 AM, jmcquown wrote:
>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Ok, I was not clear. The HVAC can't keep up. I am saving up money to
>>>>>>> replace it all but am not there yet.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Did it used to keep up? Needs a shot of refrigerant?
>>>>>
>>>>> The lines are probably perforated due to age. She might as well
>>>>> replace it.
>>>
>>>Could be needed, but could also be a $6000 solution to a $200 problem.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>>
>>>> I don't know if this will be at all helpful. I have an annual service
>>>> contract with the company that installed the HVAC unit in 2010. It
>>>> costs $176 a year, which I consider cheap to make sure I'm comfortable.
>>>> They come out twice a year; it takes them about 2-1/2 hours to do
>>>> whatever it is they do to make sure everything is working properly
>>>> inside and out. I schedule an appointment in the Spring before it gets
>>>> hot and another in the late Fall before I might have to run the heat.
>>>> They swap out the filters, too, although I change those more frequently
>>>> than twice a year.
>>>>
>>>> When she gets around to replacing the HVAC she might want to inquire
>>>> about a service/maintenance plan.
>>>>
>>>> Jill
>>>
>>>Considering a typical service call is $100+ to walk through the door
>>>that is not bad for two checkups and filters. .
>>
>> Even if refrigerant is leaking it's probably not an expensive fix, and
>> certainly no reason to replace everything... a new coil may run $400
>> with labor, and a good AC tech may find the leak and solder it. I
>> have my unit checked out each spring, Aprilair filter changed every
>
>We replaced our system less than two years ago, but I checked it before the
>weather got hot here and it didn't seem like it was cooling right, so called
>the people to come and look at it. It was leaking refrigerant and the AC
>tech replaced instead of soldering. It was about a two hour job in total,
>and thankfully it was under warranty so no charge, but makes me wonder what
>we spent all that money replacing it for. The old unit was 40 years old
>before it finally gave out. I don't really think they make things like they
>used to, but always smart to check before the weather turns.
>
>Cheri

Agreed, best to call for service early, before they are backlogged. I
call mid April and they make an appointment for mid May because that's
when it's warm enough here for A/C to operate. If I waited to call
when it's already hot here they may not get to me until the end of
June or even into July.

On Fri, 10 Jun 2016 20:33:10 -0500, "cshenk" > wrote:

>Ed Pawlowski wrote in rec.food.cooking:
>
>> On 6/8/2016 9:48 PM, cshenk wrote:
>>
>> >
>> > Ok, I was not clear. The HVAC can't keep up. I am saving up money
>> > to replace it all but am not there yet.
>> >
>>
>> Did it used to keep up? Needs a shot of refrigerant?
>
>I wish it were that simple, but no. The unit was installed about 1976.
>The house since added about 1,000 square feet.

The original unit would suffer a stroke trying to cool all that extra
space. Also when intalling central A/C don't be tempted to get a
larger unit than what was surveyed for. The most critical function of
A/C is not cooling but dehumidifying. If the unit is over sized it
will cool so quicky it won't extract much humidity before it turns
off, the result will be cold and dank, more uncomfortable than no A/C.

Brooklyn1 wrote:
>
> Agreed, best to call for service early, before they are backlogged. I
> call mid April and they make an appointment for mid May because that's
> when it's warm enough here for A/C to operate. If I waited to call
> when it's already hot here they may not get to me until the end of
> June or even into July.

An A/C guy once told me to turn on the A/C for about 5-10 minutes once
a month even during the winter months...just to keep all parts
working.

On 6/11/2016 10:03 AM, Gary wrote:
> Brooklyn1 wrote:
>>
>> Agreed, best to call for service early, before they are backlogged. I
>> call mid April and they make an appointment for mid May because that's
>> when it's warm enough here for A/C to operate. If I waited to call
>> when it's already hot here they may not get to me until the end of
>> June or even into July.
>
> An A/C guy once told me to turn on the A/C for about 5-10 minutes once
> a month even during the winter months...just to keep all parts
> working.
>

I've heard that too from an engineer that designed HVAC for one of the
major manufacturers. The AC in your car get used when you turn on the
defroster so that keeps things lubricated.

On Saturday, June 11, 2016 at 9:06:28 AM UTC-10, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
> On 6/11/2016 10:03 AM, Gary wrote:
> > Brooklyn1 wrote:
> >>
> >> Agreed, best to call for service early, before they are backlogged. I
> >> call mid April and they make an appointment for mid May because that's
> >> when it's warm enough here for A/C to operate. If I waited to call
> >> when it's already hot here they may not get to me until the end of
> >> June or even into July.
> >
> > An A/C guy once told me to turn on the A/C for about 5-10 minutes once
> > a month even during the winter months...just to keep all parts
> > working.
> >
>
> I've heard that too from an engineer that designed HVAC for one of the
> major manufacturers. The AC in your car get used when you turn on the
> defroster so that keeps things lubricated.

The reason the AC gets turned on in the modern car defroster systems is to remove the moisture from the air blowing on the cold glass surfaces. This greatly improves performance. Mostly, that's how dehumidifiers work. Air is moved from a refrigeration section and then through a heating section.

On Sat, 11 Jun 2016 13:29:44 -0700 (PDT), dsi1 >
wrote:

>On Saturday, June 11, 2016 at 9:06:28 AM UTC-10, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
>> On 6/11/2016 10:03 AM, Gary wrote:
>> > Brooklyn1 wrote:
>> >>
>> >> Agreed, best to call for service early, before they are backlogged. I
>> >> call mid April and they make an appointment for mid May because that's
>> >> when it's warm enough here for A/C to operate. If I waited to call
>> >> when it's already hot here they may not get to me until the end of
>> >> June or even into July.
>> >
>> > An A/C guy once told me to turn on the A/C for about 5-10 minutes once
>> > a month even during the winter months...just to keep all parts
>> > working.
>> >
>>
>> I've heard that too from an engineer that designed HVAC for one of the
>> major manufacturers. The AC in your car get used when you turn on the
>> defroster so that keeps things lubricated.
>
>The reason the AC gets turned on in the modern car defroster systems is to remove
>the moisture from the air blowing on the cold glass surfaces. This greatly improves
>performance. Mostly, that's how dehumidifiers work. Air is moved from a refrigeration
>section and then through a heating section.

Also helps to keep moving parts lubricated, and moving the coolant
helps keep the rubber hoses lubed too.

On Saturday, June 11, 2016 at 12:13:35 PM UTC-10, Brooklyn1 wrote:
> On Sat, 11 Jun 2016 13:29:44 -0700 (PDT), dsi1 <dsi1>
> wrote:
>
> >On Saturday, June 11, 2016 at 9:06:28 AM UTC-10, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
> >> On 6/11/2016 10:03 AM, Gary wrote:
> >> > Brooklyn1 wrote:
> >> >>
> >> >> Agreed, best to call for service early, before they are backlogged. I
> >> >> call mid April and they make an appointment for mid May because that's
> >> >> when it's warm enough here for A/C to operate. If I waited to call
> >> >> when it's already hot here they may not get to me until the end of
> >> >> June or even into July.
> >> >
> >> > An A/C guy once told me to turn on the A/C for about 5-10 minutes once
> >> > a month even during the winter months...just to keep all parts
> >> > working.
> >> >
> >>
> >> I've heard that too from an engineer that designed HVAC for one of the
> >> major manufacturers. The AC in your car get used when you turn on the
> >> defroster so that keeps things lubricated.
> >
> >The reason the AC gets turned on in the modern car defroster systems is to remove
> >the moisture from the air blowing on the cold glass surfaces. This greatly improves
> >performance. Mostly, that's how dehumidifiers work. Air is moved from a refrigeration
> >section and then through a heating section.
>
> Also helps to keep moving parts lubricated, and moving the coolant
> helps keep the rubber hoses lubed too.

It is recommended that the automobile AC system is turned on occasionally to lubricate the seals to keep them from drying out. You have to do this because the lubricating oil is mixed in with the refrigerant.

These systems work great in home installations but are fairly unreliable in automotive applications. With the advent of the electric car, an AC system that's lightweight, more efficient, and more reliable, is highly desirable.. My guess is that within 10 years, most of our refrigerators and home and automotive AC will be using solid state cooling.

http://www.businesswire.com/news/hom...tor-50-Company

Ed Pawlowski wrote in rec.food.cooking:

> On 6/10/2016 9:33 PM, cshenk wrote:
>
> >
> > I wish it were that simple, but no. The unit was installed about
> > 1976.
>
> That alone is a good reason to replace it with a more efficient unit.

Yes, but not before it dies. The price to run the old unit isnt but
$25 a month more. Thats 300$ a year. New unit, 10,000. 33 years pay
off.

--

On Saturday, June 11, 2016 at 3:47:49 AM UTC-10, Brooklyn1 wrote:
> On Fri, 10 Jun 2016 20:33:10 -0500, "cshenk" > wrote:
>
> >Ed Pawlowski wrote in rec.food.cooking:
> >
> >> On 6/8/2016 9:48 PM, cshenk wrote:
> >>
> >> >
> >> > Ok, I was not clear. The HVAC can't keep up. I am saving up money
> >> > to replace it all but am not there yet.
> >> >
> >>
> >> Did it used to keep up? Needs a shot of refrigerant?
> >
> >I wish it were that simple, but no. The unit was installed about 1976.
> >The house since added about 1,000 square feet.
>
> The original unit would suffer a stroke trying to cool all that extra
> space. Also when intalling central A/C don't be tempted to get a
> larger unit than what was surveyed for. The most critical function of
> A/C is not cooling but dehumidifying. If the unit is over sized it
> will cool so quicky it won't extract much humidity before it turns
> off, the result will be cold and dank, more uncomfortable than no A/C.

My friend installed a really big wall unit in his tiny bedroom. It's a very interesting effect! Coldness with high humidity. One does not get to experience that very often. The fix for that is simple, just vent most of the cold air from the AC to the outside.

On Sun, 12 Jun 2016 14:26:34 -0700 (PDT), dsi1 >
wrote:

>On Saturday, June 11, 2016 at 3:47:49 AM UTC-10, Brooklyn1 wrote:
>> On Fri, 10 Jun 2016 20:33:10 -0500, "cshenk" > wrote:
>>
>> >Ed Pawlowski wrote in rec.food.cooking:
>> >
>> >> On 6/8/2016 9:48 PM, cshenk wrote:
>> >>
>> >> >
>> >> > Ok, I was not clear. The HVAC can't keep up. I am saving up money
>> >> > to replace it all but am not there yet.
>> >> >
>> >>
>> >> Did it used to keep up? Needs a shot of refrigerant?
>> >
>> >I wish it were that simple, but no. The unit was installed about 1976.
>> >The house since added about 1,000 square feet.
>>
>> The original unit would suffer a stroke trying to cool all that extra
>> space. Also when intalling central A/C don't be tempted to get a
>> larger unit than what was surveyed for. The most critical function of
>> A/C is not cooling but dehumidifying. If the unit is over sized it
>> will cool so quicky it won't extract much humidity before it turns
>> off, the result will be cold and dank, more uncomfortable than no A/C.
>
>My friend installed a really big wall unit in his tiny bedroom.
>It's a very interesting effect! Coldness with high humidity.
>One does not get to experience that very often. The fix for
>that is >simple, just vent most of the cold air from the
>AC to the outside.

And empty his wallet as he cools the great outdoors.
The typical bedroom (~11' X 12') needs no more than a 6,000 BTU window
unit, it'll run longer to cool but will eliminate the humidity. It'll
use less electricity than an over sized unit and will be far quieter.
When I first moved into my last house I put a through the wall unit in
each of the three bedrooms, they were properly sized and worked fine,
but the rest of the house was not air conditioned and water began to
condense inside the walls of the adjoining unairconditioned spaces and
mold began growing, not good. So I had central A/C installed and the
problem was solved. The entire house was cooled and it cost less to
run than those three units. This was some 22 years ago, the central
A/C cost $7,000. Was well worth the investment, I used it 10 years
before moving here. I had central A/C installed here immediatelly
after closing and didn't move in for a month, I had a lot of updates
done that month while I wasn't moved in... was a lot easier especially
while having hardwood floors installed in the kitchen and dining area
and having th ehardwood floor in the living room refinished, sanding
hardwood floors create a lot of dust, much better done before ones
belongings are moved in. I know it looks silly but I left the through
the wall units after installing central A/C:
http://i63.tinypic.com/w8vxqw.jpg

"dsi1" > wrote in message
...
On Saturday, June 11, 2016 at 3:47:49 AM UTC-10, Brooklyn1 wrote:
> On Fri, 10 Jun 2016 20:33:10 -0500, "cshenk" > wrote:
>
> >Ed Pawlowski wrote in rec.food.cooking:
> >
> >> On 6/8/2016 9:48 PM, cshenk wrote:
> >>
> >> >
> >> > Ok, I was not clear. The HVAC can't keep up. I am saving up money
> >> > to replace it all but am not there yet.
> >> >
> >>
> >> Did it used to keep up? Needs a shot of refrigerant?
> >
> >I wish it were that simple, but no. The unit was installed about 1976.
> >The house since added about 1,000 square feet.
>
> The original unit would suffer a stroke trying to cool all that extra
> space. Also when intalling central A/C don't be tempted to get a
> larger unit than what was surveyed for. The most critical function of
> A/C is not cooling but dehumidifying. If the unit is over sized it
> will cool so quicky it won't extract much humidity before it turns
> off, the result will be cold and dank, more uncomfortable than no A/C.

My friend installed a really big wall unit in his tiny bedroom. It's a very
interesting effect! Coldness with high humidity. One does not get to
experience that very often. The fix for that is simple, just vent most of
the cold air from the AC to the outside.

That could explain this one motel I stayed in on Cape Cod. They had AC and
also a dehumidifier that I had to empty 2-3 times a day. Room was beastly
cold. But I couldn't turn off the AC or it would be hot and muggy.

I know when I looked into getting in for our military housing on Cape Cod, I
was cautioned to get the exact size needed for the room. No more and no
less. I was able to do so for the smallest bedroom.

We did bring the unit here and while it was the size for Angela's room, it
wasn't designed for that kind of window. So we were unable to use it.

I also haven't bought a portable unit because I would have to get a super
huge one to be at all effective and that's out of my price range.