Central Air Problem

[autowasherfreak]

We had it set at 65 and it almost froze us out, we sitting under blankets while watching TV in the living room. I checked for for the internal damper in the duct, but they all seem to be open. One of the vents in the basement is shut but has a lot of air coming out on the sides of the vent, going to put some duct tape around the sides.

 

[volvoguy87]

Duct tape.

Don't use Duct Tape on ducts, it will fail! Instead, use foil tape available in the ductwork section of your hardware store.

Dave

 

[autowasherfreak]

Thanks I will use that instead.

 

[mark_wpduet]

IT was brought to my attention by an HVAC tech that you should not close any vents throughout the house; leave them all open. He said it can shorten the life of the unit.

 

[autowasherfreak]

That's interesting, I wonder why it does that.

 

[supersuds]

Don't run your HVAC at all and it will last even longer.

Closing a lot of vents would increase back pressure in the ducts and make the blower motor work harder. However, they're very durable.

I wouldn't hesitate to make some duct adjustments if I were uncomfortable. After all, I have to live there. And in my case I've been doing it for over 14 years with no problems. That's my experience for what's its worth. Maybe you need to get a pro in to check your particular situation, however.

 

[tolivac]

HVAC systems can die from lack of use-the seals in the refrigerant plumbing can dry from lack of use causing refrigerant leakage.At an older radio station I used to service-one of the transmitter site AC units hadn't been used in years-they insisted I try it-the refrigerant had leaked out.

 

[autowasherfreak]

I would sure be nice if the ducts in the basement were labeled as to what duct goes where. The registers in the other two bedrooms upstairs have quite a bit of air coming out of them. The register in my room and the registers in the two bathrooms are open with very little air flow coming from them. They must be shut off in the basement, however finding the ducts for these hasn't been easy. I finally gave up yesterday to much running up and down the stairs.

 

[circlew]

Jim, set a radio or cd player over the register in your room, and turn it up fairly loud. You should be able to hear it in the duct in the basement that leads to your room.

 

[autowasherfreak]

Thanks Tom, that's a great idea, will try it after I get home from work tomorrow morning.

 

[mayguy]

If you can find the damper, you are ok shutting some down some, and see if the upstairs are open.

Where's the photo of your new unit?

I made a top for mine.. I used to be a service tech, and you DO NOT want to wrap the unit up.. That is a home for mice to eat the wires.

 

[autowasherfreak]

Oh heck my CRS is back I totally forgot about the pictures. I will go take some.

 

[autowasherfreak]

Dang it, it's raining like heck. I'll try after work tomorrow if it's not raining.