Comments on: Simple Steps to Improve Air Conditioner Performance

By: John Proctor

John Proctor — Sat, 20 Apr 2019 18:17:38 +0000

In reply to Amanda.

Amanda — Unfortunately since
Amanda — Unfortunately since most systems are not properly designed they have improper distribution to one section of the house over the other. The proper solution is to add more distribution to the second floor so that you can reduce the airflow to the basement. The first thing I try is to remove the dampers in the registers on the second floor.
If you live in an area where tradition has only one return grille — add another one.
As you can see in the linked report section 3.3.2.1 on, in almost every repair case this was a very effective improvement. https://www.contractor.proctoreng.com/dnld/EFFICIENCY_CHARACTERISTICS_AND_OPPORTUNITIES_FOR_NEW_CALIFORNIA_HOMES_ECO_REPORT.pdf

By: Ramon

Ramon — Wed, 10 Apr 2019 17:13:56 +0000

This is a great list, thanks
This is a great list, thanks for putting it together. One tip to add to heat removal would be to add another return if necessary. While its not a DIY or as simple as some of the other tips, it can make a huge difference. Did this to my two story house that only had one return downstairs and it made a huge difference. Thanks!

By: Amanda

Amanda — Tue, 19 Jun 2018 07:25:57 +0000

I have a question about
I have a question about keeping the vents open to help with the pressure in the system. If I habe vents in my basement but rarely use this space. If we leave all vents open in the house then it is sweltering on the second floor and freezing in the basement. What can be done to even out the temperature?

By: John

John — Wed, 13 Jun 2018 00:24:00 +0000

In reply to abailes. Right on!
Right on!

By: abailes

abailes — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 23:07:56 +0000

In reply to John Proctor. Well, John, if you want to go

Well, John, if you want to go that route, we're going to have mention that SEER is a terrible way to measure efficiency anyway.

By: John Proctor

John Proctor — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 22:18:39 +0000

In reply to abailes. Allison AND SEER 18 from a
Allison AND SEER 18 from a multi-speed unit is less efficient than SEER 18 would be from a single speed unit.

By: abailes

abailes — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 16:33:53 +0000

In reply to Charles Leahy. Charles, yes, two to three

Charles, yes, two to three feet should be adequate for the sides. If your condenser exhausts upward from the top, you should leave at least four feet of open space. See the comments in this article for more discussion of this topic.

By: abailes

abailes — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 16:26:42 +0000

In reply to John Proctor. Good points, John. Of course

Good points, John. Of course there are causes behind any loss of capacity, and the question of replacement has become more complicated now that it doesn't automatically mean you'll get more efficiciency. And even if you do go from 13 SEER to 18 SEER or so, you won't save as much as going from 8 SEER to 13 SEER (as I did a few years ago) because of the diminishing returns.

By: John Proctor

John Proctor — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 15:49:53 +0000

Allison
Allison I am with you on most of this. However when a middle aged to senior air conditioner is not performing we most usually find that something has gotten messed up on it sometime over the years. These are not due to loss of compressor capacity or efficiency, they are due to the wrong amount of charge, to non-condensables, to reduced airflow through the outdoor unit (as you have noted) or through the indoor unit or the other items you have noted. The cooling delivered and the efficiency of your air conditioner should not decrease over time unless the outside coil suffers from corrosion or the inside coil gets really dirty. So an air conditioner that is 15 years old should be just as good as it ever was as long as it has the right amount of pure refrigerant in it. The Federal minimum standard became SEER 10 in 1992 and changed to SEER 13 in 2006. So if you have a unit built after 2006 there is little reason to change it based on economics.

By: Charles Leahy

Charles Leahy — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 14:02:35 +0000

Thanks! And yes definitely
Thanks! And yes definitely at my house I am due to prune the bushes – actually way past due – around our outdoor unit. I’m guessing it should have 2-3 feet clear all around? I hate trimming the rhododendrons (they are SO PRETTY!) but they are also costing us money. This coming weekend I promise!!!