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submitted 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) by PlzGivHugs@sh.itjust.works to c/nostupidquestions@lemmy.world

I'm in a rental right now with a useless landlord, so I'm trying to fix the problem myself (or at least find the cause). My home's central air AC unit is working, but doesn't seem to be working well. There is cool air coming from the vents, but its less than I would expect, and when its 80f/27c outside, its rarely more than a single degree cooler. I'm looking for ideas to track down the problem. In particular, between the landlord's neglect and the last tenant's seemingly willful destruction I expect it'll be something maintenance related.

So far I have checked:

  • The unit size relative to the property (its about 2.5 tons for a 2,500 ft² property) which the internet seemed to say was fine. That said, its a bungalow with no attic and high-cielings, so Im not sure if that could have enough effect to account for this.

  • Intakes and outlets inside the out aren't blocked by furnature (although what I can see looking into them looks pretty dirty)

  • I tried removing the furnace filter (which, from my understanding, is also used by the AC inside the house) temporarily, although didn't notice a significant difference.

  • I checked the cooling fins on the unit outside the house for obstructions, but there was little more than a bit of webs

I'm not an expert on these things at all, but is there anything else I can check or try?

Edit: unfortunately there is some condensation and frost on the coil box, so sounds like its a leak. Guess I'm looking at a fight with my landlord.

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[-] QuarterSwede@lemmy.world 24 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

Stick a thermometer in the vent. Should be around 50-60°F coming out. You’re potentially low on refrigerant. Any frost on the coil box (usually above the furnace)?

Unfortunately this is 100% not user fixable. Typically requires specialized tools to diagnose and then fix. You also can’t buy refrigerant without a license.

[-] givesomefucks@lemmy.world 7 points 1 week ago

You also can’t buy refrigerant without a license.

That's gotta depend on location...

I've lived in a couple US states, and AutoZone always carried it.

Just checked online and even amazon sells 134a

[-] StrawberryPigtails 15 points 1 week ago

134a is for automotive ac units. Unless something has changed recently, household hvac systems use a different type. It used to be R22 for both, but that was a long time ago. Turned out freon (R22) was bad for the environment.

[-] db2@lemmy.world 12 points 1 week ago

Freon is an actual trade name, like Kleenex it wasn't defended rigorously and now it's used for all refrigerants generically. FYI

[-] StrawberryPigtails 6 points 1 week ago

Didn’t know that. Thanks!

[-] grue@lemmy.world 11 points 1 week ago

They're pretty much all bad for the environment, just to different degrees. Even the "greener" refrigerant choices (which have suboptimal thermodynamic properties, BTW) are things like ammonia, carbon dioxide and propane.

Point is, don't be cavalier about letting your refrigerant escape even if it isn't R22.

[-] Twitches@lemm.ee 6 points 1 week ago

Quick Google search I found a website that let you buy it all you have to do is check a checkbox that says your certified.

[-] protist@mander.xyz 5 points 1 week ago

Totally. Then once you get it, make sure to huff a bit of it to make sure it's pure

[-] db2@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago

Nonsense. You pour two fingers and slam it then immediately shotgun a beer. It's the only way.

[-] QuarterSwede@lemmy.world 5 points 1 week ago

Not legal and definitely not easy to get local without a license. There’s always someone will to sell on the black market. Also, shit is dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing. I was trying to give the OP sound advice, you know, what they’re asking for.

[-] Twitches@lemm.ee 1 points 1 week ago

The fact it's so easy to obtain without a license online is wild. You wouldn't think it would be in the top search results.

[-] TonyTonyChopper@mander.xyz 1 points 1 week ago

You can buy all the toxic chemicals you like, online or at the hardware store

this post was submitted on 03 Jul 2024
56 points (96.7% liked)

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