old air conditioner

shewolfnm · Posts: 21656 Location: Inside of myself.

Im curious about the AC unit in our apt.

I am positive it is older then Ma and Pa kettle.. but since it works I can not expect it to be replaced.

What I notice is that.. on hot days.. days above 85 or so..
If I have the ac on for any temp.. the thing will hardly EVER turn off.

I can set it at 78 degrees.. and it will run.. and run.. and run.. and run.

I know that this could be many things-
Insulation issues of the building
Improper thermostat ( Maybe?)

Im wondering if there is anything that I can do.. that may help.

Is there such a thing as AC unit check ups so to speak?

i dont mind forking out the money for it .. I would not expect the landlord to any how Rolling Eyes

for christs sake.. Just today,, with out WARNING of any kind.. he has people ripping out our stairs..

which leaves me trapped upstairs.. and my husband wandering around some where because he can not get in..
(but that is another thread entirely..)

edgarblythe · Posts: 37935 Location: Houston

Get the coils cleaned, inside and outside. Have freon level checked. Make sure air flow in apt is unrestricted. Keep a clean filter at all times; change it about once a month.

shewolfnm · Posts: 21656 Location: Inside of myself.

Check on the air filter.
I do that.. even though they are reallllly hard to find

Coils..

Something I can clean myself? Should I call someone instead?

Is that essentially what ends up being cleaned when you spray the outside unit with a hose?

ossobuco · Posts: 46618 Location: New Mexico

I bet Eb knows what of he speaks.

dyslexia · Posts: 25500 Location: Wolf Hole, Arizona

be sure to check the exhaust side (outside) for icing which will happen and basically that will shut down the cooling capacity of the unit. if it is iced over turn it off and allow to thaw. stay tuned to what EB says.

Chumly · Posts: 7739 Location: Vancouver BC Canada

If it does not turn off, and if it also does not cool very much, and if it's old, and if the room size matches the BTU, then my first guess is that it has lost a consequential amount of refrigerant.

If it's an in-window type, simply buy a new one, they are cheap enough alrighty.

hamburger · Posts: 16965 Location: kingston, ontario, canada

i imagine that having a service person check the air-conditioner might be about the same cost as a new (window ?) air-conditioner - and you'll probably be told that you need a new one .
you might check the vents etc. to ensure that there is no dust-buildup . if the condenser fins get "plugged up" (dirty) the performance will start to drop off .
do you get plenty of airflow ?
if that's the case you should be able to clean them - but make sure the unit is UNPLUGGED first !!!
the cooling tower of our central air-conditioner was cleaned about three or four years ago - it's about 25 years old - and the performance increased greatly .
hope this helps .
hbg

shewolfnm · Posts: 21656 Location: Inside of myself.

not a window unit

hamburger · Posts: 16965 Location: kingston, ontario, canada

perhaps this website will help - good instructions on "how to" >>>
CLEAN AIR-CONDITIONER

dyslexia · Posts: 25500 Location: Wolf Hole, Arizona

total segue here BUT, yesterday we had our handiman check our swamp cooler, the pads were TOTALLY disintegrated and there was a garbage bag full of mineral deposits on the louvers and the floor; we have been paying every spring for the past 5 years to have it serviced and, obviously it never was. I had to buy a new pump, all new pads, new drive belt and scrape out the louvers and floor just to get it running.