Air Con Not Blowing Cool Air

funnysht on 27/01/2020 - 12:34
Last edited 27/01/2020 - 12:35

Now i know i should call a professional, which I'll do but i was wondering if it is a simple fix

So the problem rose suddenly- I rarely use the a/c maybe a hour a week maximum. So was working fine then the next week no cool air blowing out.

It's a split system.

I checked on youtube/online and the capacitor seems to be fine. THe fan outside (normally blows out warm air) but now blowing out normal air temp air. There's no ice leak around the tubes.

I plan to just get some coil foam cleaner and wash it out, and if that fails then call a techy- wondering how much they'll charge though. Maybe i should just replace the whole unit (It's about 15 yrs old, but rarely used)

any other thoughts

cheers

Electrical & Electronics Air Conditioner

Comments

  • pegaxs on 27/01/2020 - 13:36
    +3

    Service and a re-gas. And after 15 years of service, you might find that it’s better off being replaced as there may be newer and more efficient models on the market.

  • donga100 on 27/01/2020 - 13:44

    Is it flashing any lights? The sequence of flashing can be a code for what the problem is, found in the manual.

    • funnysht on 27/01/2020 - 17:59

      thanks,, nope no flashing lights, just turns on and blows warm air instead

  • SmiTTy on 27/01/2020 - 13:56
    +2

    Re-gas as mentioned above is my bet

    • funnysht on 27/01/2020 - 18:00
      -1

      re gas? is it diy or need to call a tech?

      • Agret on 27/01/2020 - 19:30

        Definitely need to call a tech, need a special machine to do it

      • SmiTTy on 27/01/2020 - 19:41

        Not diy

        • RockyRaccoon on 27/01/2020 - 22:36

          No special machine, just the gas and some gauges. BUT you need a license to get the gas, and then the bottles are rented to you on a monthly basis. Watched and spoke with the tech when our new install needed regasing, because installer didn’t flange the pipe correctly.

          So in itself it’s nothing real fancy. However if you can’t find the leak, you will be wasting your money. In my case the tech filled the system with nitrogen, to test where the leak was. If it wasn’t in the connecting pipes it was a replacement outside unit, or inside unit. If it wasn’t under warranty as he said , it wouldn’t be worth repairing, if it wasn’t to do with the connecting pipes.

          • munecito on 28/01/2020 - 09:49

            @RockyRaccoon: You do need a special vacuum pump as all air needs to be flushed out of the system before the gas is added.

  • outlander on 27/01/2020 - 14:12
    +2

    A AC is a complex system, but like many complex system it can be broken down into a series of simple systems.

    In this case, you have the Fan system, and the refrigeration system. The fan system blows air across the coil, and refrigeration system makes the inside coil cold, and the outside coil hot (or the reverse if you're heating). The fan system is blowing, so its at least working a little, but the air isn't cold, so evidentially there is something wrong with the refrigeration system.

    First thing to do is to use your senses. Turn on the AC, go outside and listen to it. Is the compressor even on? It makes a sort of low drone buzzing sound that gets quieter as it runs. You can also look at power usage. If its drawing lots and lots of power, the compressor is probably on, but if its only drawing 300w, then its not.

    The compressor is the heart of the refrigeration system, so thats the place to start.

  • Wickz on 27/01/2020 - 14:48

    Needs a re-gas most likely. I’d pay for an AC plumber to come and check it out but as other suggested after 15 years might be worth looking for a newer more economical one if it gets used lots.

  • RockyRaccoon on 27/01/2020 - 15:17
    +5

    Listen to the other advice here. Replace.

    You call a service man. Thats a $150 minimum. Then there's parts and re-gas, which is very likely the issue, the seals would also need replacing. And then its not going to last as long as a new one, so more money more often.

    The system is 15 years old, and quite inefficient in comparison to the more modern inverters. We just replaced about 9 months ago when ours died, $500 for install and $500 for unit.

    I know it sounds weird, but a new unit, installed gives you a 5 year warranty vs maybe a week or two on the serviced unit.

    • funnysht on 27/01/2020 - 18:01
      -1

      true..how much would re-gas cost?

      • timthetoolman on 27/01/2020 - 18:27
        +1

        Depending the gas it's roughly around $500 or so give or take. Spend a bit more and update it, the new unit will be a lot quieter as well

        • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 27/01/2020 - 18:35

          Spot on. Don't forget they may not always find or correct the leak. May lose all that precious new gas within a week.

  • JimmyF on 27/01/2020 - 16:44
    +2

    Now i know i should call a professional, which I'll do but i was wondering if it is a simple fix

    Turn it off at the wall/switch board. Wait an hour, turn it back on again.

    If that fails, then basically call a tech. Your fin clean etc is just wasting time/money as that would be a slow loss in performance not a total loss like you got.

  • lette on 27/01/2020 - 23:19

    Mine is a marine air con so may be different. But I had the same issue and it turns out I didn't have enough power going to it. Put it on a separate system and it's going great. Perhaps consider looking at that.

  • D C on 28/01/2020 - 00:53

    At least the air con is living up to it's name.

  • Sega on 28/01/2020 - 08:33

    Check the outside unit model/ details plate for the gas type (might also be on the indoor unit, depends on make). 15 YO the gas will be Either R22 or R410a. If it’s R22, then just get a new AC unit. Don’t bother even getting looked at for repair. If R410a, you could try a regas but at 15YO, As others have said, a new unit is a valid option.

  • Kiro on 28/01/2020 - 10:15

    Have you cleaned the fan, filters and coil?

  • backpaqer on 28/01/2020 - 13:14
    +1

    Someone changed mode from cool to heat?

  • OzHunterNSW on 28/01/2020 - 13:47

    JUST GET IT RE-GASSED

  • abear on 28/01/2020 - 21:11

    Take the filter out and wash it out.A clogged filter will often cause that type of issue

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