Side Discharge AC Not Cooling

Last Updated:
May 31st, 2020 2:03 pm

Tags:

SCORE

Reply to ThreadReply

Search this thread

Search this thread

May 29th, 2020 2:22 pm

No.6 [OP]: Jr. Member; Sep 10, 2006; 166 posts; 54 upvotes; Toronto

May 29th, 2020 2:22 pm

Side Discharge AC Not Cooling

Dear RFDers,

Our house has a side discharge / horizontal condenser AC unit and it is not cooling anymore.
Basically, the outside unit fan is running, and the indoor vents are blowing air just not cool air.
I also googled it, but for most "ac not cooling problems", the outside fan would not run.
Is it due to low in Freon? Its a bit hard for me to believe that as the unit is just 3 years old.
I also have a 3rd Gen Nest thermostat installed (already got rid of the old one) and not sure if it also can be the issue.

Any help will be greatly appreciated!

p.s. the unit looks like this
https://www.marsdelivers.com/item/CMA18 ... CONDENSER/

4 replies

May 29th, 2020 2:48 pm

rcmpvet: Deal Addict; Oct 13, 2014; 2837 posts; 2171 upvotes; Just Moved To Somewh…

May 29th, 2020 2:48 pm

Check your circuit breaker and ensure it has a 240V breaker. It would not be the first time an installer used 120V, whereby the fan would run but not the compressor.

#1 - “Don’t irritate old people. The older they get, the less “Life in prison” is a deterrent."
#2 - Are you a Sexual Intellect? /S - What you post in this thread may determine that.

+1

May 29th, 2020 9:40 pm

No.6 [OP]: Jr. Member; Sep 10, 2006; 166 posts; 54 upvotes; Toronto

May 29th, 2020 9:40 pm

Thanks recmpvet! Not sure how to check the breaker but I think it should be installed correctly otherwise it will not pass the PDI...
I am just not sure if the Nest thermostat can be the issue as that is the only part I changed from last year.
Too bad that I already sold the old non-smart thermostat otherwise I can just put it back to test it...

rcmpvet wrote: ↑ Check your circuit breaker and ensure it has a 240V breaker. It would not be the first time an installer used 120V, whereby the fan would run but not the compressor.

May 30th, 2020 2:14 am

thriftshopper: Deal Guru; Jul 7, 2017; 10015 posts; 5360 upvotes; SW corner of the cou…

May 30th, 2020 2:14 am

What s a side discharge unit? At any rate, I don't think any thermostat will turn on the compressor fan separately from the compressor. A single voltage contrl usually turns the compressor on or off (assuming it is a one-stage compressor). Compressor not starting could be as (relatively) simple as the contactor not engaging (culd be clogged with dirt, bug, corrosion, etc.) or perhaps the start/run capacitor gone InOp.

I smile when I see container ships sailing past my house laden with stuff made in China

May 31st, 2020 2:03 pm

No.6 [OP]: Jr. Member; Sep 10, 2006; 166 posts; 54 upvotes; Toronto

May 31st, 2020 2:03 pm

Thanks thriftshopper for the insight!
This is how my side discharge unit looks like... Its brand is called Comfort Aire. It looks like one of those mini split units but it is not ductless.
Thanks

thriftshopper wrote: ↑ What s a side discharge unit? At any rate, I don't think any thermostat will turn on the compressor fan separately from the compressor. A single voltage contrl usually turns the compressor on or off (assuming it is a one-stage compressor). Compressor not starting could be as (relatively) simple as the contactor not engaging (culd be clogged with dirt, bug, corrosion, etc.) or perhaps the start/run capacitor gone InOp.

Images

Reply to Thread

Top