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Air Conditioning Diagnosis, Inspection, Repair Guide AirCondAPedia © Search InspectAPedia

This website answers most questions about inspecting, troubleshooting, and repairing central air conditioning and heat pump systems.

• How to inspect & repair central air conditioning systems
• What are the basic air conditioning components?
• Determining air conditioning cooling capacity & energy efficiency
• Troubleshooting air conditioning compressor problems
• Diagnosing air conditioning air handler problems
• Air conditioning condensate problems
• Duct system inspections, defects, repairs
• Cleaning air conditioning equipment & A/C refrigerants

Here we describe how to inspect residential air conditioning systems (A/C systems) to inform home buyers, owners, and home inspectors of common cooling system defects. The articles at this website describe the basic components of an air conditioning system and then we discuss how to estimate the rated cooling capacity of an air conditioning system by examining various data tags and components. The limitations of visual inspection of A/C systems are described. We continue to add to and update this text as new details are provided.

Contact us to suggest text changes and additions and, if you wish, to receive online listing and credit for that contribution. © Copyright 2009 Daniel Friedman, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use links at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

All the detail about air conditioning you want is provided here - ask us if you can't find something. Let's introduce the most basic concepts of air conditioning first:

What are the Parts of an Air Conditioning System and How do Air Conditioners Work?

Here is a simple explanation of how an air conditioning system works, with enough detail so that it isn't simply magic (the schematic of an air conditioner shown at left is compliments of Carson Dunlop) A detailed list and photos of air conditioner components can be seen at AIR CONDITIONER COMPONENT PARTS.

1. A air conditioning or heat pump compressor which compresses low pressure refrigerant gas into a high pressure, high temperature gas. Usually the compressor is in the outdoor portion of an air conditioning or heat pump system. The compressor is basically a high pressure pump driven by an electric motor. The air conditioning compressor is usually packaged in the outdoor compressor/condenser unit illustrated by our page top drawing. See COMPRESSOR CONDENSER, and see REFRIGERANTS
   
   
2. A condenser or condensing unit: typically a condensing coil inside which high temperature high pressure refrigerant gas flows, and over which a fan blows air to cool the refrigerant gas back to a liquid state (thus transferring heat from the refrigerant gas to the air being blown by the fan). The condenser unit is basically a coil of finned tubing and a fan to blow air across the coil. Usually the condenser unit is in the outdoor portion of an air conditioning system, often packaged along with the compressor motor discussed above. See COMPRESSOR CONDENSER and see our page top sketch too. The change of state of the refrigerant, from hot high pressure gas to a liquid releases heat, including heat collected inside the building) to the outdoors.
   
   
3. A metering device which dispenses liquid refrigerant into an evaporator coil. The metering device may be simply a thin section of tubing (a capillary or "cap" tube) or it may be a bit more sophisticated thermostatic expansion valve (TEV) which includes a temperature sensing control that can open and shut the device against refrigerant flow. See THERMOSTATIC EXPANSION VALVES .
   
   
4. An evaporator coil or cooling coil: typically the cooling coil is a section of finned tubing (it looks alot like a car radiator) into which liquid refrigerant is metered and permitted to evaporate from liquid to gas state inside the coil. This state change of the refrigerant, from liquid to gas, absorbs heat, cooling the evaporator coil surface and thus cooling indoor air blown across the cooling coil. Usually the cooling coil is located inside the air handler. See AIR HANDLER UNIT and articles like DIRTY COOLING COIL
   
   
5. An air handler and blower unit which provides a fan to blow building air across or through the evaporator coil. The air handler blower fan unit moves building air across the evaporator coil surface in order to condition building air by cooling it (and thus also by removing moisture from the cooled air). See AIR HANDLER UNIT
   
   
6. A duct system which distributes conditioned air from the air handler in to the occupied space (supply ducts), and which takes air from the occupied space and returns it to the cooling system air handler. See DUCT SYSTEMS
   
   
7. Air conditioner controls and features, which include a room thermostat, electrical switches, fuses or circuit breakers, condensate handling system, and air filters. See OPERATING CONTROLS and AIR FILTERS for HVAC SYSTEMS
   

For photographs of these various air conditioning and heat pump parts, and for an explanation of where these air conditioning components are physically located, see A/C COMPONENTS which discusses  Indoor A/C Components and Outdoor A/C Components

How to diagnose and fix an air conditioning system that is not working

Since the failure of an air conditioner to turn on, loss of air conditioner cooling capacity, reduced air conditioning output temperatures, loss of cool air supply, or even loss of air flow entirely can be due to a variety of problems with one or more components of an air conditioner or air conditioning system, after reviewing the lost air conditioner cooling diagnosis procedures described in this article, be sure to also review the diagnostic procedures at each of the individual air conditioning diagnosis and repair major topics listed just below. To return to our air conditioning and refrigeration home page go to AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS.

If your air conditioning system has lost its cooling capacity or won't start select one or more of the diagnostic articles listed below.

• A/C REFRIGERANT LEAK DETECTION: how to use a TIF5000 to detect air conditioning refrigerant gas leak
• A/C DIAGNOSTIC FAQs: air conditioning system diagnostic FAQs: Q&A about air conditioner repair - a detailed air conditioning system diagnostic checklist
• AIR HANDLER UNIT: problems with the air handler, air filters, and the cooling coil itself
• BACKUP HEAT: on heat pumps, types of backup heat; problems with backup heat; begin here if your heat pump is not providing enough heat or if your air conditoining system provides heat when it should be providing cooling.
• COMPRESSOR CONDENSER: problems with air conditioner compressor/condenser units
• CONTROLS & SWITCHES: air conditioner controls and switches - begin here if your A/C won't start. Here's an important tip: most refrigeration problems, in air conditioners, refrigerators, or freezers, are electrical, not mechanical. In air conditioning school, we used to drive out and collect abandoned refrigerators that people were tossing out during our community's spring cleanup week. Taking these appliances back into the shop we found that almost always the problem that had caused the owner to dispose of their air conditioner or freezer was in an electrical connection or electrical control. So it's worth checking out switches and controls on an air conditioner before replacing more costly components.
• DUCT SYSTEM DEFECTS: problems with the air duct system, air filters, supply registers, return air registers
• Fire dampers, and Heating and Cooling Air Duct Controls such as manual and automatic duct dampers, zone dampers, and fire dampers are discussed and distinguished at DRAFT REGULATORS - barometric dampe
• LOST COOLING CAPACITY: what to do when not enough cool air comes out of the system
  • What to check first if there is no cool air or not enough cool air
  • Compressor failure diagnosis: basic checks of the air conditioner compressor
  • Ducts & Air Handler diagnosis: basic checks of the indoor air handler (blower), air ducts, and filter system
• OPERATING DEFECTS: major air conditioning problem symptoms and how to get the air conditioning system working again,e.g. compressor or fan noises, failure to start, and inadequate cool air volumers
• ZONE DAMPER CONTROLS . discusses manual and automatic air duct zone controls

Use links just below or at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS
AIR CONDITIONER BTU CHART
AIR CONDITIONER COMPONENT PARTS
  Indoor A/C Components
  Outdoor A/C Components
AIR CONDITIONER TYPES, ENERGY SOURCES
AIR CONDITIONER NOT WORKING
AIR FILTERS for HVAC SYSTEMS
  Air Filter Location
  Dirty Air Filter Problems
  Missing Air Filters
 OPTIMUM INDOOR AIR FILTERS
  Air Filter Efficiency
  Optimum Air Filter Design / Location
  How to Cascade Air Filters
 CONTINUOUS BLOWER FAN OPERATION
 AIR FILTER EFFECTIVENESS
  MERV, HEPA Definitions
  MERV Air Filter Ratings
  How Air Filters Work
  Particle Sizes & IAQ
  Gasketed air filters
  Debris in Return Air Plenum
  Washable air filters
 FIBERGLASS & AIR FILTERS
  Air Filters Shed Fibers?
  Fiberglass & Test Lab Accuracy
  Variations in Fiber Size
 SOURCES FOR AIR FILTERS
  OTHER AIR CLEANERS
AIR HANDLER UNIT
  ADDING A/C: RETROFIT SIZING
  BLOWER LEAKS, RUST & MOLD
  COOLING COIL DEFECTS
  DIRTY A/C BLOWERS
    Leaks, Rodents In Air Handlers
    Mold Growth in Air Handlers
BACKUP HEAT for HEAT PUMPS
CLEANING & Legionella BACTERIA
  Should we disinfect
  Wisconsin Protocol for Cleaning A/C
  Legionella sp. Health Concerns
  What are Legionella
  Where do Legionella sp. occur?
  Recommended Level for Legionella sp.
  How When to Test for Legionella sp.
  Legionnaires' Disease Information from CDC
COMPRESSOR & CONDENSING COIL
  INSTALLATION ERRORS
  CONDENSING COIL FINS, SUPPORT PADS
  COMPRESSOR NOISES
  HARD STARTING
  TIGHT or SEIZED AC COMPRESSORS
  COMPRESSOR PRESSURE READINGS
  BURNED-OUT COMPRESSOR
  REPLACING A COMPRESSOR
  A/C CAPACITORS
  MOTOR OVERLOAD RESET SWITCH
CONDENSATE HANDLING
  DRIP TRAY DEFECTS
  CONDENSATE LEAKS
  CONDENSATE PUMPS
  CONDENSATE DRAINS
  CONDENSATE TRAY CLEANING
CONTROLS & SWITCHES
COOL OFF HEAT Thermostat Switch
COOLING CAPACITY, RATED
COOLING COIL or EVAPORATOR COIL
  DAMAGED COOLING COIL
  DIRTY COOLING COIL
  DIRTY COIL CLEANING PROCEDURES
  FROST BUILD-UP
DATA TAGS on AIR CONDITIONERS
DEFINITION of Heating & Cooling Terms
DUCT SYSTEMS
DUCTS - Asbestos
DUCT SYSTEM DEFECTS
  ASBESTOS HVAC DUCTS
  DUCT ROUTING & SUPPORT
  BALANCING AIR DUCT FLOW
  FIBERGLASS HVAC DUCTS
  FIRE DAMPERS in DUCTWORK
  GOODMAN GRAY FLEXDUCT
  INCREASING RETURN AIR
  LEAKY DUCT CONNECTIONS
  LOCATION OF REGISTERS & DUCTS
  OWENS CORNING FLEXDUCT
  RETURN AIR REGISTERS & DUCTS
  SUPPLY REGISTERS, & ZONES
  Transite Pipe HVAC Ducts
  UNDERSIZED RETURN DUCTS
  UNSAFE DUCT OPENINGS
  VIBRATION DAMPERS
  WATER & ICE IN DUCT WORK
  WET CORRODED DUCT WORK
  ZONE DAMPER CONTROLS
DUCT INSULATION, Asbestos Paper
DUCTS, Asbestos Transite Pipe
DUST FROM HVAC?
FAN AUTO ON Thermostat Switch
HEAT LOSS (or GAIN) in BUILDINGS
INSPECTION CHECKLIST - OUTDOOR UNIT
INSPECTION LIMITATIONS
LOST COOLING CAPACITY
  What to check first
  Compressor failure diagnosis
  Duct & Air Handler diagnosis
MOTOR OVERLOAD RESET SWITCH
OPERATING COST
OPERATING DEFECTS
OPERATING TEMPERATURES
  Air Conditioning System Temperatures
  Instruments Used to Measure A/C Temperatures
  Procedures for Making Temperature Measurements
REPAIR GUIDE for AIR CONDITIONERS
REPAIR & DIAGNOSTIC FAQs for A/C
REFRIGERANTS
  REFRIGERANT LEAK DETECTION
  REFRIGERANT LEAK REPAIR
SEER RATINGS & OTHER DEFINITIONS
  SEER RATING HISTORY
SYSTEM OPERATION
  OPERATING CONTROLS
  SAFETY CONTROLS
THERMOSTATS
  Types of Building & Room Thermostats
  How Thermostats Work
  Detailed Guide to Room Thermostats
  How to Set the Thermostat
  COOL OFF HEAT Thermostat Switch
  FAN ON AUTO Thermostat Switch
  HEAT ANTICIPATOR Adjustment
  HEAT ANTICIPATOR Mini Ammeter to Check
  HEAT PUMP Thermostats - Outdoors
  INSTALL & WIRE Thermostats
  TEMPERATURE RESPONSE of Room Thermostats
  SWITCH FUNCTIONS on a Room Thermostat
THERMOSTATIC EXPANSION VALVES
CRITICAL DEFECTS
Air Conditioning "How To" Books

• Thanks to Mark Cramer, Tampa Florida, for assistance in technical review of the "Critical Defects" section and for the photograph of the deteriorating gray Owens Corning flex duct in a hot attic. Mr. Cramer is a Florida home inspector and home inspection educator.
• Thanks to Jon Bolton, an ASHI, FABI, and otherwise certified Florida home inspector who provided photos of failing Goodman gray flex duct in a hot attic.
• Thanks to Alan Carson and Bob Dunlop, Carson Dunlop, Associates, Toronto, for permission to use illustrations from their publication, The Illustrated Home which illustrates construction details and building components. Carson Dunlop provides home inspection education, publications, report writing materials, and home inspection services. Alan Carson is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors.
• Carson Dunlop, Associates, Toronto, have provided us with (and we recommend) Carson Dunlop Weldon & Associates' Technical Reference Guide to manufacturer's model and serial number information for heating and cooling equipment ($69.00 U.S.).
• Thanks to Scott at SJM Inspect for suggesting this EPA document and for technical editing remarks regarding our air conditioning website, SJM Inspection Service LLC, serves the entire state of CT, sjminspect.com 203-543-0447 or 203-877-4774 5/16/07
• Reference: Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, A. D. Althouse, C.H. Turnquist, A. Bracciano, Goodheart-Willcox Co., 1982
• Reference: Principles of Refrigeration, R. Warren Marsh, C. Thomas Olivo, Delmar Publishers, 1979
• "Air Conditioning & Refrigeration I & II", BOCES Education, Warren Hilliard (instructor), Poughkeepsie, New York, May - July 1982, [classroom notes from air conditioning and refrigeration maintenance and repair course attended by the website author]

1. A/C COMPONENT LIST - Basic Air Conditioning Components Inspection List

Conventional cooling systems include the following components: Indoor Components of an air conditioning system (Details can be read and seen at AIR CONDITIONER COMPONENT PARTS) Air Handler Unit (AHU) which typically includes the following Air filters - located at return registers or possibly at or in the air handler Return Plenum Blower fan in a blower compartment Evaporator Coil = Cooling Coil Supply plenum Supply air ducts and registers Return air ducts and registers Air filter(s) and possibly other air cleaning/IAQ equipment Electrical shut off switches, circuit breakers/fuses Outdoor Air Conditioning System Components (Details can be read and seen at AIR CONDITIONER COMPONENT PARTS) Compressor motor - on residential units this is normally a hermetic motor-compressor combined in a single sealed unit Condensing coil Outdoor cooling fan Electrical shut-off switch(es) for service & circuit protection All of the components, controls, switches of air conditioning systems and how to diagnose and debug cooling system problems are discussed in detail at this website.

...

Technical Reviewers & References

• Daniel Friedman - principal author/editor of the InspectAPedia^® Website
• Critique, contributions wanted: Contact Us to suggest text changes and additions and, if you wish, to receive online listing and credit for that contribution. Particular thanks are due to experts and also consumers who read these articles and suggest corrections, changes, and additions to the material.
• Thanks to remaining contributors/references who are listed just below
• Thanks to Alan Carson and Bob Dunlop, Carson Dunlop, Associates, Toronto, for permission to use illustrations from their publication, The Illustrated Home which illustrates construction details and building components. Carson Dunlop provides home inspection education, publications, report writing materials, and home inspection services. Alan Carson is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors.
• Carson Dunlop, Associates, Toronto, have provided us with (and we recommend) Carson Dunlop Weldon & Associates' Technical Reference Guide to manufacturer's model and serial number information for heating and cooling equipment ($69.00 U.S.).
• Thanks to Scott at SJM Inspect for suggesting this EPA document and for technical editing remarks regarding our air conditioning website, SJM Inspection Service LLC, serves the entire state of CT, sjminspect.com 203-543-0447 or 203-877-4774 5/16/07
• Reference: Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, A. D. Althouse, C.H. Turnquist, A. Bracciano, Goodheart-Willcox Co., 1982
• Reference: Principles of Refrigeration, R. Warren Marsh, C. Thomas Olivo, Delmar Publishers, 1979
• "Air Conditioning & Refrigeration I & II", BOCES Education, Warren Hilliard (instructor), Poughkeepsie, New York, May - July 1982, [classroom notes from air conditioning and refrigeration maintenance and repair course attended by the website author]
• Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology, 5th Ed., William C. Whitman, William M. Johnson, John Tomczyk, Cengage Learning, 2005, ISBN 1401837654, 9781401837655 1324 pages
  http://books.google.com/books?id=NAdQGV-imRAC&printsec=frontcover#PPA524,M1
• Ratib Bakera is member of Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES), an International training organization for the HVACR industry provides educational and certification programs to HVACR professionals of all experience levels. www.rses.org provides information on the organization and its training materials. Independent testing and certification of HVAC technicians is provided by North American Technician Excellence - NATE - see www.natex.org. NATE is supported by ASHRAE, the US EPA, and a host of other trade and professional associations.
• Singer brand HVAC equipment brand history: Singer was bought by & became the climate control unit of Dallas-based Snyder General Corp. (founded by a former Singer HVAC manager) in 1982. The name Singer was dropped in 1984. In 1984 Snyder General operations included Arcoaire, Comfortmaker, and McQuay. In 1991 Snyder General sold Arcoaire & Comfortmaker to Inter-City Products. In 1994 Snyder General was acquired by Hong Leong Group Malaysia. Snyder General is at 2001 Ross Avenue Dallas, TX 75201.

Use links just below or at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

More Information on Building Diagnostic Inspections and Repairs

• Air Conditioning Inspection, Diagnosis, Repair, Efficiency all the basics for home owners, inspectors, new repairmen
• Air Conditioning SEER - New DOE Air Conditioner and Heat Pump Efficiency Standard
• Asbestos HVAC Ducts and Flues field identification photos and guide
• Fiberglass: Indoor Air Quality Investigations: Fiberglass in Indoor Air, HVAC ducts, and Building Insulation

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