HVAC in the attic?
- Thread starter Bird
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Sigarms
Super Member
At this point, not really. R-22 is still "low" in cost compared to what it was 4 years ago.
Now, when the goverment actually regulates the production of R-22 to the manufacturers, that may be a different story.
For what it's worth, R-12 actaully dropped in cost by over 70% compared to where it was at 5 years ago!
Now, when the goverment actually regulates the production of R-22 to the manufacturers, that may be a different story.
For what it's worth, R-12 actaully dropped in cost by over 70% compared to where it was at 5 years ago!
</font><font color="blue" class="small">(
Correct me if I'm wrong, but R407 is a "drop in replacement" )</font>
Well "drop in" is a relative term. As I had stated in my previous reply, the oil needs to be changed, which can be somewhat of a task to change it in the compressor. It's at minimum a whole day's job to do a complete flush and oil change.
paul
Correct me if I'm wrong, but R407 is a "drop in replacement" )</font>
Well "drop in" is a relative term. As I had stated in my previous reply, the oil needs to be changed, which can be somewhat of a task to change it in the compressor. It's at minimum a whole day's job to do a complete flush and oil change.
paul
kenmac
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Yes you are correct . I deal with so many and I was thinking 410 but for reason typed 408. And yes when all of the older 22 units are gone out of inventory , there won't be any more. just like the unicorn vanished.Or in this case put out of production by the good ol government ! the 410 does run higher pressures .puron is what carrier calls it.
OP
Bird
Rest in Peace
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Apologies Bird, did not mean to hijack this thread. )</font>
No apology necessary; I'm learning a little bit. Trouble is I haven't learned enough fast enough. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif Whew, it was hot in that attic at noon today, and I did not tarry long. The unit in the attic, as well as the outside components, looks good, and the overflow pan was dry. However, blown in insulation covered most of both drain lines and I didn't climb around up there to uncover them and see that they are intact. In fact, I never did figure out where the primary drain goes. I know where the drain for the overflow pan exits in the eaves at the front, but no idea where the primary drain empties. The house has a programmable, digital thermostat, and since the house is vacant, they had it set for 85 and the temperature showed to be 86. However, both of my instruments showed the temperature in the house to be 81. I stuck my probes up into 3 different ceiling vents and only got 71 degrees. Now I'm not real sure how the return air works, except it appears to be vents on some walls near the floor. So I was quite aways from the air handler when taking those readings, but I expected the differential to be greater (always thought a 20 degree differential was about right), but maybe that's normal for that unit. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif In this mobile home, I have a 22 degree differential right now in the heat of the day; temperature near the return air filter is 74 and a probe in the floor vent is 52. So I guess I'm going to try to get a professional out to inspect, evaluate, and teach me a little more.
No apology necessary; I'm learning a little bit. Trouble is I haven't learned enough fast enough. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif Whew, it was hot in that attic at noon today, and I did not tarry long. The unit in the attic, as well as the outside components, looks good, and the overflow pan was dry. However, blown in insulation covered most of both drain lines and I didn't climb around up there to uncover them and see that they are intact. In fact, I never did figure out where the primary drain goes. I know where the drain for the overflow pan exits in the eaves at the front, but no idea where the primary drain empties. The house has a programmable, digital thermostat, and since the house is vacant, they had it set for 85 and the temperature showed to be 86. However, both of my instruments showed the temperature in the house to be 81. I stuck my probes up into 3 different ceiling vents and only got 71 degrees. Now I'm not real sure how the return air works, except it appears to be vents on some walls near the floor. So I was quite aways from the air handler when taking those readings, but I expected the differential to be greater (always thought a 20 degree differential was about right), but maybe that's normal for that unit. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif In this mobile home, I have a 22 degree differential right now in the heat of the day; temperature near the return air filter is 74 and a probe in the floor vent is 52. So I guess I'm going to try to get a professional out to inspect, evaluate, and teach me a little more.
Cowboyjg
Silver Member
The temp difference between return duct and distribution duct is relevent to other issues than unit efficiency. That the reading was 52 degrees at the distribution point says that the unit is working well and putting out cold air. How "tight" the house is what influences how cold the house gets (with a properly working unit) which can influence the units effeciency. Leaky windows and doors and such are what you should be looking at. If the warm air gets in or the cold air gets out, the unit can't do it's job properly. Sounds like the ac is doing what it is supposed to. If there's a home buyers warranty available you may want to consider it. For the couple hundred bucks it cost, it turned out to be a good thing for my son. His unit went funky on him about 3 mos after he bought his place and the warranty paid for someone to come and make it right. That service call and subsequent repair would have cost a little more than the warranty did. Turned out to be worth every penny. At the time I would not have been in a position to help him as I was out of the area. They are usually good for a year and cover most of the major systems. Would also give you and mrs Bird a little peace of mind.
Good luck on your purchase.
Good luck on your purchase.
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The house has a programmable, digital thermostat, and since the house is vacant, they had it set for 85 and the temperature showed to be 86. However, both of my instruments showed the temperature in the house to be 81. I stuck my probes up into 3 different ceiling vents and only got 71 degrees. Now I'm not real sure how the return air works, except it appears to be vents on some walls near the floor. So I was quite aways from the air handler when taking those readings, but I expected the differential to be greater)</font>
Bird,
I just got a new heat pump/furnace/air handler installed a little over a month ago. The day they completed the install and turned it on, the temp (inside and out) was between 90-95 degrees. When I fired the unit up, I too was getting pretty high temp readings at the vents. I was told this was normal until the unit had a chance to burn off some of the heat and humidity. I left a thermostat in front of a register for a couple hours and sure enough, as the temp lowered in the house, so did the duct/register temp. Although I was closer to 20 degrees difference, my ducts are in the basement. If yours are in the attic, the temp they're starting at is a lot higher which may by why you're only seeing 15. Once those ducts in the attic have burned off the attic heat (maybe an hour or 2?), you will hopefully see better temps. Don't want you to climb back in the attic but if you can get a reading right at the air handler, it may give more accurate info.
For the thermostat, I too have the fancy one and sure enough, the temp is different than the thermostats in the same room. Although initially programmed to read/display a particular temp, you can change the setting it in the thermostat. Also a handy feature if you want it to "read/display" different than it actually is in the room. In the winter, I'm going to set it to display 75 when it's really only 71 which will make Mrs. Zoom "feel" like it's nice and warm.
Brian
Bird,
I just got a new heat pump/furnace/air handler installed a little over a month ago. The day they completed the install and turned it on, the temp (inside and out) was between 90-95 degrees. When I fired the unit up, I too was getting pretty high temp readings at the vents. I was told this was normal until the unit had a chance to burn off some of the heat and humidity. I left a thermostat in front of a register for a couple hours and sure enough, as the temp lowered in the house, so did the duct/register temp. Although I was closer to 20 degrees difference, my ducts are in the basement. If yours are in the attic, the temp they're starting at is a lot higher which may by why you're only seeing 15. Once those ducts in the attic have burned off the attic heat (maybe an hour or 2?), you will hopefully see better temps. Don't want you to climb back in the attic but if you can get a reading right at the air handler, it may give more accurate info.
For the thermostat, I too have the fancy one and sure enough, the temp is different than the thermostats in the same room. Although initially programmed to read/display a particular temp, you can change the setting it in the thermostat. Also a handy feature if you want it to "read/display" different than it actually is in the room. In the winter, I'm going to set it to display 75 when it's really only 71 which will make Mrs. Zoom "feel" like it's nice and warm.
Brian
OP
Bird
Rest in Peace
John, the 52 degree output was in the mobile home we now live in; not the house we're trying to buy. The house only had 71 degree output, but yes, I am buying that warranty (or I should say the seller has agreed to buy that warranty) for a little over $300.
And Brian, the ductwork in the attic, and it was hotter'n blue blazes up there, so that could account for the preceived problem. The unit was running when I first started to check it, but I don't know how long it had been running.
Thanks to both of you.
And Brian, the ductwork in the attic, and it was hotter'n blue blazes up there, so that could account for the preceived problem. The unit was running when I first started to check it, but I don't know how long it had been running.
Thanks to both of you.
Boomerang1
Gold Member
In Arizona most units are on top of the house because most homes are built on slabs. The heating and cooling vents come through the ceiling
buckle97
Platinum Member
Bird, I notice the link you provided to your mobile home for sale doesn't work any longer. Were you able to sell your home or did you just remove it from that site?
Lawrence
Lawrence
