A/C stopped working in our townhome...?

Question

So here's what I know: The unit was running (or so I thought) for a while, but the temperature inside was going up, and is now 80 degrees, and the thermostat is set to 73. The inside unit seems to work as per the norm, but the air coming out of the vents is lukewarm, and slow. As I saw in a few posts online, it seems that the problem was likely to be in the outside unit. It is humming (making a standard electrical motor hum), but the outside fan does not run, and the top of the unit (where I presume the fan motor sits) is very warm (read: hot!) to the touch. I don't know if this is something simple to diagnose, but this is everything I have been able to observe at this point.

While I have emailed the landlord to try to get someone out here, is it something very simple to fix in the meantime?

(I am leaving it off for a few hours to see if it cycles back to actually working, but I'm not holding my breath...)

While I have emailed the landlord to try to get someone out here, is it something very simple to fix in the meantime?

(I am leaving it off for a few hours to see if it cycles back to actually working, but I'm not holding my breath...)

Joe · Answer

The condenser fan isn't running.  That's what actually removes heat from the refrigerant loop.  Your compressor is running (and making noise).

Turn the air conditioning off.  You can run the inside air handler using the "fan" setting on the thermostat; that will make it a bit more comfortable inside until the landlord fixes the condenser fan.

sophieb · Answer

change the filter indoors, a dirty filter or wrong kind of filter can stop up the system, make it harder to work.  And, yearly you need to have the AC cleaned out, pipes to the outside and all, and check for freon, and service it (like have it oiled and tested).  If you've run it too long then it might stop up and drip on your furniture.  I would "never" have emailed someone.  I'd get on the horn and tell them it needs fixed pronto.

besides my AC I have 4 large fans for such situations, except when it gets 95F in here and then I start yelling, moving me and pets to someone else's home or take them to the landlord (their office) for a little cool and wait there till the AC at my place is fixed.

Traveler · Answer

It doesn't sound like an easy fix. The thermostat setting should activate the outside compressor. If the compressor doesn't turn the fan, it may be a contact switch that has failed in the outside compressor. The internal fan unit shouldn't be that hot as well.

Brandon M · Answer

I would make one recommendation in the mean time.. Shut off the power to the A/C unit immediately.  If it's hot to the touch, it's trying to run and you'll burn up the motor.  If there is any hope to repair it, this would at least give you a chance at not making it worse before it gets better.

Towanda · Answer

I'm not good at a/c's so I would call the manager or landlord immediately.  I call a broken a/c a major problem that calls for immediate repairs.  Be sure you filter is clean before the manager gets there.

Tony · Answer

you need to turn it off for 30 minutes then then back on. and set the thermostat to 75.you may have it set too cold.

(A) · Answer

the fan on top may be burned up or a capacitor may be bad that starts the motor..Have some one check it.

A/C stopped working in our townhome...?

7 個解答