The Carrier heat pump / air conditioning unit (model 38YMA036300)
installed on a 2700 sq ft house 15 years ago has stopped cooling. On
the unit outside, the fan is blowing and the compressor is working,
but the air after the radiator is not warm/hot. The copper pipe coming
out of the compressor is hot and remains hot going into two parts of
radiator, but none of the other copper U elbows feel hot or even warm.
It seems the radiator is clogged. Is there a simply way to further
verify that this is the problem?

Should I have the outside unit repaired or replace the entire system?
Which brand provides a good value and above average reliability? Thx

jay wrote:
The Carrier heat pump / air conditioning unit (model 38YMA036300)
installed on a 2700 sq ft house 15 years ago has stopped cooling. On
the unit outside, the fan is blowing and the compressor is working,
but the air after the radiator is not warm/hot. The copper pipe coming
out of the compressor is hot and remains hot going into two parts of
radiator, but none of the other copper U elbows feel hot or even warm.
It seems the radiator is clogged. Is there a simply way to further
verify that this is the problem?

Should I have the outside unit repaired or replace the entire system?
Which brand provides a good value and above average reliability? Thx



When was the last time you had a professional maintenance check on that
system?

If you haven't bothered to have that done, then have you checked and
cleaned the air filter and or the coil fins?

I'm assuming that thing you're calling a "radiator" is the evaporator in
the air handler. They don't "clog", but the metering device in the high
side line feeding them can and does.

I'm going to make a WAG that you're in over your head already. Ask
around and learn who your friends and neighbors trust and call in a pro.

15 years is a reasonable lifetime for a home HVAC system so it's
probably time to think about replacing both ends of the system. The
improved efficiency of today's equipment will reduce your electric bill
a noticable amount. I've had good luck with Trane equipment.

HTH,

Jeff

--
Jeffry Wisnia
(W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE)
The speed of light is 1.98*10^14 fathoms per fortnight.

When was the last time you had a professional maintenance
check on that system?

Most recently about two years ago. He added some freon.

If you haven't bothered to have that done, then have you checked and
cleaned the air filter and or the coil fins?

I replace the air filter inside the house approx every 3 months. On
the unit outside, no leaves or debris are obstructing the air flow.

I'm assuming that thing you're calling a "radiator" is the evaporator in
the air handler. They don't "clog", but the metering device in the high
side line feeding them can and does.

Sorry, for my terminology. By "radiator" I meant the condenser. In
reference to the diagram shown at http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/how_it...nditioner.html,
I am talking about the "outside unit". The orange tube comming out of
the compressor is hot upto the first entry point of the condenser.

I'm going to make a WAG that you're in over your head already.



15 years is a reasonable lifetime for a home HVAC system so it's
probably time to think about replacing both ends of the system. The
improved efficiency of today's equipment will reduce your electric bill
a noticable amount. I've had good luck with Trane equipment.

So far local dealers quoted me REEM RAN13 for $3700 or Lennox 14ACX
for $5000. I'll check on Trane. Thx.

"jay" wrote in message
oups.com...


Should I have the outside unit repaired or replace the entire system?
Which brand provides a good value and above average reliability? Thx


The one that's properly sized, installed and set-up to operate with-in the
manufacture's specifications!

"jay" wrote in message
ups.com...
When was the last time you had a professional maintenance
check on that system?

Most recently about two years ago. He added some freon.


Why? Did he find and repair the leak at that time too?


15 years is a reasonable lifetime for a home HVAC system so it's
probably time to think about replacing both ends of the system. The
improved efficiency of today's equipment will reduce your electric bill
a noticable amount. I've had good luck with Trane equipment.

So far local dealers quoted me REEM RAN13 for $3700 or Lennox 14ACX
for $5000. I'll check on Trane. Thx.


No need too, the installer is far more important then the brand name!!!

"jay" wrote in message
ups.com...
When was the last time you had a professional maintenance
check on that system?

Most recently about two years ago. He added some freon.

Assuming that the technician really did add some refrigerant then you had
(have) a leak. Refrigerant doesn't get "used up" in a closed system. If
the technician added freon without offering to fix the leak then they are a
hack. In either case, avoid purchasing a new system from the company that
did the previous sloppy maintenance.

So far local dealers quoted me REEM RAN13 for $3700 or Lennox 14ACX
for $5000. I'll check on Trane. Thx.

I'd recommend Trane / American Standard.

"Travis Jordan" wrote in message
. ..
"jay" wrote in message
ups.com...
When was the last time you had a professional maintenance
check on that system?

Most recently about two years ago. He added some freon.

Assuming that the technician really did add some refrigerant then you had
(have) a leak. Refrigerant doesn't get "used up" in a closed system. If
the technician added freon without offering to fix the leak then they are
a
hack. In either case, avoid purchasing a new system from the company that
did the previous sloppy maintenance.

So far local dealers quoted me REEM RAN13 for $3700 or Lennox 14ACX
for $5000. I'll check on Trane. Thx.

I'd recommend Trane / American Standard.


I'd recommend Arcoaire, Comfortmaker, Heil, Tempstar, AirQuest, Keeprite,
Maratherm, Lennox, AirEase, Armstrong Air, Carrier, Bryant, Payne, Rheem,
Ruud, Weathermaker, Gibson, Frigidaire, Tappen, Maytag, Goodman, Janitrol,
York, Coleman, etc...

Anything but Trane / American Standard!!!!!

kjpro @ usenet.com wrote...
I'd recommend Arcoaire, Comfortmaker, Heil, Tempstar, AirQuest, Keeprite,
Maratherm, Lennox, AirEase, Armstrong Air, Carrier, Bryant, Payne, Rheem,
Ruud, Weathermaker, Gibson, Frigidaire, Tappen, Maytag, Goodman, Janitrol,
York, Coleman, etc...

Goodman?

I've had excellent service from my 1989 Trane, Don't know about current
ones.

Much depends on installer/servicer.
kjpro @ usenet.com wrote in message
...

"Travis Jordan" wrote in message
. ..
"jay" wrote in message
ups.com...
When was the last time you had a professional maintenance
check on that system?

Most recently about two years ago. He added some freon.

Assuming that the technician really did add some refrigerant then you had
(have) a leak. Refrigerant doesn't get "used up" in a closed system. If
the technician added freon without offering to fix the leak then they are
a
hack. In either case, avoid purchasing a new system from the company that
did the previous sloppy maintenance.

So far local dealers quoted me REEM RAN13 for $3700 or Lennox 14ACX
for $5000. I'll check on Trane. Thx.

I'd recommend Trane / American Standard.


I'd recommend Arcoaire, Comfortmaker, Heil, Tempstar, AirQuest, Keeprite,
Maratherm, Lennox, AirEase, Armstrong Air, Carrier, Bryant, Payne, Rheem,
Ruud, Weathermaker, Gibson, Frigidaire, Tappen, Maytag, Goodman, Janitrol,
York, Coleman, etc...

Anything but Trane / American Standard!!!!!

"Travis Jordan" wrote in message

Goodman?

I don't own one but I've read that they are better than in the past.