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Ask me anything about HVAC heating air conditioning air quality control

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  • Mar 18th, 2024 3:29 pm
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May 17, 2006
7236 posts
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GTA
Lumber-jack wrote: Okay, so I have it running now and found out a few things:

1.The Venstar add a wire I was told wouldn't work with Nest.
2. I bought a 24AC power transformer that was at least 1.5mA and was able to put in behind the thermostat wall in the pantry. Everything works fine now.
3. Their specs and technicians say to run it to the "RC" wire and not the "RH" as the system was designed that way. I had to marrette the "RC" and the "R" from the 24V transformer together behind thermostat as it won't accept two wires. It now shows that I have a "C" wire.
4. Although I found a little bit of information on using an external power source it was like looking for Amish porn. When I talked to a second level tech he acknowledged that what I was doing was over his head but wanted me to follow up with him. If it worked he wanted to forward it to the Engineers.
5. If the unit falls below 3.7 volts it shuts down the wifi to conserve battery.
I think the best is to run the C wire less problems later on.
For this exact reason (even though pulling c wire was easy for me) i got a different brand that had more features and it uses a controller near the furnace and then 4 wires that go to the actual thermostat.
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Jul 13, 2010
1999 posts
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Ottawa
I agree that running a "C" wire is best as it would be wired the way it was intended to be. However, actually running the wire is NOT the best option for me. I would have to cut walls, and the ceiling to run the wire to the original location of the thermostat. I have the external transformer hooked up and everything is working fine and I don't have to worry about drywall and painting now.


porksoda wrote: I think the best is to run the C wire less problems later on.
For this exact reason (even though pulling c wire was easy for me) i got a different brand that had more features and it uses a controller near the furnace and then 4 wires that go to the actual thermostat.
.
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Jul 13, 2010
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Ottawa
I installed an external transformer - that's all. It's the same thing that is on the furnace just upstairs. The fast-stat is the same thing as the Venstar and I was told won't work. IMO my solution is better and the only difference is the location of the power source for the thermostat.

Thanks for the suggestion though.
newlyborn wrote: I am not familiar with what you have installed . Its my mistake I should i have provided you more info . The device I referred itself doesn't need any power from battery . Here is the link how to wire it :
http://www.fast-stat.net/images/pdf/Mod ... %20Set.pdf

This is how the devise looks like
http://www.fast-stat.net/
.
Deal Addict
Jun 16, 2009
4517 posts
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Vaughan
Quite a possibility that your blower motor on furnace is ready to quit OR the cage in blower motor AKA blower wheel is out of calibration .
millerwon wrote: I have an issue with my furnace/AC.

I was away for two weeks. I set my thermostat to 28 while I was away, and set it to 2 days before I got home. When I got home my house was at 23 and my AC was running. I noticed that it is running quite loud, but little air is coming out of any vents. I checked the air returns as well and they don't seem to be sucking much, though noise is coming out of them. When I go stand beside my furnace it sounds like it is running wide open.

I checked the air filter and nothing special there. Any thoughts?
Deal Expert
Jun 26, 2011
15096 posts
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janaka wrote: Change the furnace filter
close ALL basement vents
close ALL bathroom vents in house
close most (if not all) vents on the main level


Check your cold air returns to make sure they are "sucking" air on the upstairs level. I would assume the cold air return(s) upstairs aren't doing much if anything which is why your top level isn't cooling down (No matter how much cold air you put up there if you aren't pulling the hot air down you won't be comfortable). One way to test is to turn the fan to ON (should be anyway IMO) and then take a tissue to each cold air return and see if it will hold it to the grill (proving suction). If its weak or none then you have found the primary cause for the different stratosphere's as I call them. If that is the case I would first go and close off (block) the basement cold air return and re-test (this forces the furnace to suck air from the other cold air returns). Try blocking others off as well to force it to pull from upstairs.

Best part is these are ALL things average joe homeowner can do in an afternoon. Good luck

OP - any other advice you'd suggest to help with different temps on different floors? I know they will be different by a bit, but anything to help cool the upstairs?
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Jun 26, 2011
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Also OP, do you typically leave your thermostat fan on AUTO or ON when battling cold/hotspots?
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Mar 25, 2003
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Markham
Since is really hot these days, is it normal for the A/C coil inside the furnace have some frost?
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Jun 16, 2009
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Vaughan
Your coil is all clogged up. It require professional cleaning. At havoc pro shops they sell a special cleaner for coils. Once coils are cleaned completely let us know if problem persist.
Keigotw wrote: Since is really hot these days, is it normal for the A/C coil inside the furnace have some frost?
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Dec 17, 2008
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Ontario
newlyborn wrote: Your coil is all clogged up. It require professional cleaning. At havoc pro shops they sell a special cleaner for coils. Once coils are cleaned completely let us know if problem persist.
How can you tell its clogged up? I only see the ice build up on the coil.
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Dec 17, 2008
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Keigotw wrote: Since is really hot these days, is it normal for the A/C coil inside the furnace have some frost?
How old is that unit? Frost is not normal on the coil.
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Mar 25, 2003
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5 year A/C . But this coil was replaced last year, so the current coil is just 1 year old
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Deal Guru
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Mar 13, 2004
13840 posts
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Ontario
Could be due to lack of airflow.

-Clean the coil
-Replace the air filter if its dirty as it will restrict airflow. If the air filter is not dirty are you using a really thick filter that could be blocking airfilter a lot and causing this? Maybe try removing the filter for a day or 2 and see if the problem goes away if so then you know its an airflow issue.
- Also while you are at it clean the outdoor AC unit with coil cleaner.
- Open ip your air registers in the floor, if most of them are closed again it could cause air flow issues.
Newbie
Apr 10, 2012
90 posts
6 upvotes
Toronto
Is it normal to have what appears to be condensation on the copper that is in the outdoor unit? Only reason I ask is because I noticed water drops falling from the bottom of the unit. I have a Trane XR
Deal Guru
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Mar 13, 2004
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Mooks85 wrote: Is it normal to have what appears to be condensation on the copper that is in the outdoor unit? Only reason I ask is because I noticed water drops falling from the bottom of the unit. I have a Trane XR

I think condensation would be normal especially if its really hot outside. However if you notice the copper having frost/ice on it then no its not and something is wrong.
Penalty Box
Oct 17, 2012
2689 posts
124 upvotes
I have leaks on the airconditioner is there way to fix the leaks? Or I have to change the entire unit? Air handler and air conditioner heat pump? Mine is called carrier brand. I heard is common issue on all air conditioner is just what material that were made on the coil . Wondering if is necessary to replace the entire two unit ? Or this can be fix or replace the brand new coil?

Is a 2.5 tones carrier air conditioner heat pump and 2.5 tons air handler

Thanks for the help
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Mar 13, 2004
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TripleTAP wrote: I have leaks on the airconditioner is there way to fix the leaks? Or I have to change the entire unit? Air handler and air conditioner heat pump? Mine is called carrier brand. I heard is common issue on all air conditioner is just what material that were made on the coil . Wondering if is necessary to replace the entire two unit ? Or this can be fix or replace the brand new coil?

Is a 2.5 tones carrier air conditioner heat pump and 2.5 tons air handler

Thanks for the help

What do you mean by leaks? Water drips? Or freon leaks?

Take some good pictures and post them so we can see what you are talking about exactly.
Penalty Box
Oct 17, 2012
2689 posts
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Coolant is leaking..had damage condenser, I already replaced two condenser and fill up two times coolant(nitrogen)
Deal Addict
Jun 16, 2009
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Vaughan
If the coil is 01 year old than it may be still under warranty . Check with your installer . I see lot of dust on coil . Is it dust or ICE ?
Frosting often means lack of airflow or low on refrigerant . Did installer followed the proper procedure when he installed new coil ? Was the system vaccumed , tested with nitrogen and filter installed on lines ??
Keigotw wrote: 5 year A/C . But this coil was replaced last year, so the current coil is just 1 year old
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Jun 16, 2009
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Vaughan
If condesor is damaged you may have to replace it depending how bad the damage is . May be you can post some pic and we can guide you further .
TripleTAP wrote: Coolant is leaking..had damage condenser, I already replaced two condenser and fill up two times coolant
Penalty Box
Oct 17, 2012
2689 posts
124 upvotes
newlyborn wrote: If condesor is damaged you may have to replace it depending how bad the damage is . May be you can post some pic and we can guide you further .
The technician swap in the new condenser i didnt snapshot any picture. Would like to know how much im looking for the coil replacement?

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