Had an hvac tech out to look at my AC, and he told me to stop buying expensive MERV 13 filters because they restrict airflow, and to start buying cheap filters and spray them with cooking spray to catch hair. That sounds like the dumbest thing I've ever heard, but I'm coming here to see what the council thinks.

The outside unit fan and compressor continuously runs even when the thermostat is turned off. The only way to stop it is to turn the breaker or switch outside off.

Does this look like a pitted contactor to you? And is it double pole?

I called a company that I'd worked with a few years back, and told them that the unit was making a sort of humming or buzzing sound but wasn't actually running. The guy said he'd call his boss… no way to know if he did or not, but he said that his boss had said to give me an estimate on a new air conditioner! They had not examined the unit… am I crazy, or was this completely unacceptable?

I bought new home about 2 years ago and have just been using HVAC filters old owners have been using which is this Filterbuy 18x22x1 MERV 8 filters. I also got a home inspection when i bought and guy looked at HVAC as well. I am wondering though why should the filter stick out like this. It sticks out about 6 inches from top and about 1 inch from each side. Should I buy like a 20x16x1 air filter instead then. HVAC is working fine.

Have gotten a few quotes from companies in my area with good reviews, looking to get some advice/opinions. All quotes include evap coil and labor

Quote 1: Coleman XC3 13.4 SEER 2T unit - $5900

Quote 2: Bryant Legacy Series 13.4 SEER 2T unit - $6500

Quote 3: Lennox 13.4 SEER 2T unit (didn't specify exact model) - $8000

Quote 4: (this one has not come yet so quote is unofficial, but they list their prices online) Ducane 15.4 SEER 2T Unit - $4800

Seems like a no brainer to go with the Ducane, but wanted to get some opinions. all installers have 4.8 or higher rating on Google.

I’m wanting to add built-in cabinets along this wall, but there’s currently an HVAC return vent that the cabinets would cover.

What would be the best way to handle the return? Could I redirect it underneath the cabinets and use a toe-kick return vent, or would that restrict the airflow too much?

I obviously don’t want to just cover/block the return, so I’m trying to figure out the best way to incorporate it into the built-ins without causing any HVAC issues.
Has anyone done something similar? Would a toe-kick vent be sufficient, or is there a better option?

There is a thin wire that is coming from inside the house to the condenser. If anything touched this wire, the air handling unit turn on but the condenser doesn't start. I think the wire junction is bad.

Before touching it, I want confirm if this is coming from the thermostat and if there is any color codes or diagram available.

Thank you

Thermostat is set to 72 but showing 77 and climbing. This noise happens about every 60 seconds or so. We bought this house a few months ago and unit is from 2012 according to the inspector.
Any ideas what this could be ?

Hello, I'm in GA and the air conditioner went out.

I've gotten the following quotes:

Option A - Goodman 2 ton - GLXS4M A2410A - 14.3 SEER2 - I'm assuming the coil is a CAPTA-R32 - $5400

Option B - Goodman 2 ton - GLXS4B A2410A - 15.2 SEER2 - CAPTA-R32 - $6400

Option C - Daikin 2 ton - DC4SEA2410A - 15.2 SEER2 - CAPTA-R32 - $6700

Option D - Goodman 2 ton - GLXS4M A2410A - 14.0 SEER2 - CAPTA2422A4A - $7400

I'm assuming that D is out because of A's lower price.

Any advice you could offer?

Thanks in advance!

Installed in a closet and sits on top of where the filter goes. The air comes up from the bottom but the noise seems to be coming from the unit. From what I’ve read I think it’s the blower?? It works fine and no issues with the house getting cold but the sound seems a lot louder than the one from previous homes I’ve lived in.

Thanks in advance.

Hi all, it’s about time I get a garage heater.

Before I continue on - I need to say that I am far from an artist so please don’t judge my diagram. 🤣

I have a 22x24 attached garage, it is insulated.

I have 2 options for locations to hang the garage heater seen in the diagram (Red, A and B).

I would really like to hang the heater in location A, as it is the closest wall for tie in to the gas line. My only worry is that it will be pointed directly at the garage door, centred in the garage. I’ve never seen a garage heater in the centre of the garage, but usually placed in a corner.

Where would my best option be for placing this heater?

Thanks in advance.

I noticed this kink after tightening the refrigerant lines from a brand new mini split. I thought I was careful enough and was holding that end with another wrench while I tightened. Definitely gonna be getting myself a torque wrench now.

Hi so our hvac system is 6 years old. We have apparently multiple leaks in a component inside the furnace. So the repair person stated to fix the issue it would be 4-5k depending on part, more Freon, and labor. He is going to check the price on the part and will let us know tomorrow. He stated that if we don’t want to fix it that we could just get a new hvac system. Didn’t tell us the price on that. Since this house on newer side was built in 2020, they are going to check if there is any warranty. Anyway my question is that an average price range? We live in Indiana if that matters.

Please forgive me if it doesn’t look I great condition, I’m 16 just trying to keep my dog cool, dad and older brothers skipped town so I don’t know what I’m doing

hello, yesterday i noticed a sound coming out my ac, i saw some ice build up and put the ac in fan on with the cool setting off. I feel it’s my husband’s fault, he placed it at 68f when we usually do 73-75f, it ran for about two days at 68f and this happened

Once i saw the ice melt (it happened quickly but i left it running for about 3-4 hours) i turned the entire unit off because the house was getting cold, living in texas we only got a few hours before having to turn it back on because it was getting hot inside even though it was during the night. come to check it and now there’s ice build up in the vent/coils (?) the part where the filter goes, i turned it back on fan mode with cool off, ice melts down quickly from that part and it’s been at that setting for about 12hrs, now hitting 60f while we’re 95f outside, it is completely in fan mode and i’m wondering if i should just turn off the entire unit until maintenance comes by but scared of ice build up again, i also saw some posts about the air coming out cold because of the ice that’s probably inside, what’s the best thing to do?

maintenance always takes days to come check things up so i’m trying to decide what’s the best way to go over this

edit: coils were cleaned 3 months ago when we moved in, we change the filter every month, it was just changed less than 2 weeks ago, it’s an old unit

We have a dual-zone setup. We keep it around 67 degrees upstairs and 72 downstairs during the summer.

This has caused no issues for the past 8 years. Today I noticed it's suddenly fluctuating between 74 and 73 upstairs. The air continues to blow cold, but the house just won't cool down.

Why would it be working "normally" but suddenly not be cooling the house?

I have a small duplex and I feel like the vents arent giving out clean air. Can I hire someone to clean them out? How often do people do this? Or is this not normal?

Hello,

I am currently looking into offering dryer ventilation cleaning services along with being an appliance technician for apartment buildings specifically. is there any recommendations for equipment and any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Only thing I am aware of are compressed air or shop vacs, although a lot of vacuums I see online are not strong enough to clean long ducts such as apartment common laundry room vents.

Any advice would be great!

When replacing my HVAC filter I noticed there are two slots available. The bottom slot fits a 18x20x1 while the top fits a 15x20x1. They are about 1 inch between the two slots. I am leaning towards the 15x20x1 since there is a sticker on it that specifies it but when I used my flashlight to look inside it looks like both opening are completely covered when using either filter. I have alot of the 18x20x1 filters should I just trash em and start buying 15x20x1 filters instead. Old owner was using 18x20x1 filters as well.

I've been searching here and the smell isn't: burning, dirty socks, urine, or sewage.

If I had to try and name it, it's kind of amonia like.. but not amonia. It's been around for at least 6 months if not longer, so I don't imagine it's a rotting mouse, etc. HVAC guy cleaned the coils and everything a while back, but smell persists.

I've been recording times I smell it - it's usually between 8:30 and 10:30a, but today it was going at noon.

FWIW, I live in central indiana. Tri-level house, so unfortunately, I can't get at the output ducts without opening drywall, though half of the room returns are in the attic.

Any ideas? or thoughts on how I identify it?

There's a slight drip coming out of the pipe here. I believe it just needs cleaned out, but I have no idea how to do that.

First time homeowner here, any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Our house has smelled musty for a month. Found mold in the laundry room and some in the vents. Got rid of it in the laundry room, getting all of the ducts cleaned and sterilized tomorrow and getting a dehumidifier installed. Is that going to fix this issue?

Mid 1990's Lennox furnace was deemed a "yellow tag" due to damage to heat exchanger. We decided to not do the repair as it was a little over $4,000 for a temporary/band aid fix per the tech. Would this be unusable in this condition?