Home HVAC Advice

Gawynz

Active Member
Location
Ogden, UT
Last summer the central AC in my home started freezing up. My furnace is 32 years old and the outdoor AC unit is 22 years old! So I'm looking to replace both. I've gotten a couple quotes from businesses I found off Google and was suprised at the price, it seems that labor is about half the overall cost. Anyone have experience, doing it yourself, good idea or bad idea? Seems that if you don't have it professionally installed it voids warranties. Any recommendations for a good company to do the job? Brands to target/avoid? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
 

Mouse

Trying to wheel
Supporting Member
Location
West Haven, UT
Don't know if they are any good, but Kings (off of 1900 in West Haven) installed the system in our house before we bought it - it has been working perfectly for the 3 years we've been here
 

anderson750

I'm working on it Rose
Location
Price, Utah
This doesn’t answer your question but may help with your AC freezing problem. The biggest thing that will cause your AC to freeze is lack of airflow across either the condenser coils or the the coils above your furnace. Make sure the outside condenser coils are not packed with stuff and you have a clean filter. The inside coils a re a bit tougher to check but make sure that after all these years they are not plugged off. I had this problem a couple years ago and the inside coils were packed with lint dust and dog hair. Even though you have a filter stuff can still get through.
 

xjtony

Well-Known Member
Location
Grantsville, Ut
@anderson750 is dead on. There is normally an access panel to get to the evaporator coils inside. It's not always super apparent. Dirty coils will be the leading cause of icing up. A good cleaning there should at least keep you cool until your ready to replace. Also make sure the indoor blower fan is running good. Lack of airflow from the fan will cause icing too. Give me a shout if you need to. It could need a charge, but normally it's an airflow issue.
 
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SLC97SR5

IDIesel
Location
Davis County
Our unit is 19 years old and I rinse it out every year. The outdoor condenser is easy but as said, the indoor evaporator takes a bit more work.
This type of foaming coil cleaner works great.

As for a replacement I would have Call Climate, Salmon HVAC or Smedley have a look.

You're probably right on the edge of service life but if the coils are dirty and the charge is low you might get a few more years out of her.
Screenshot_20210522-100121_Amazon Shopping.jpg
 

85CUCVKRAWLER

Active Member
Location
Tooele
First, your coil is freezing probably because you're low on refrigerant. I would get that checked Pronto.

Second, do not attempt to install an entire system yourself. There are aspects of the install that require state certification because of the dangers. I've seen people put themselves in the hospital due to carelessness during installs.
 

Gawynz

Active Member
Location
Ogden, UT
Thanks for all the advice, I really appreciate it. I pulled things apart and checked the evaporator and it looks very clean, I know the POs had the system serviced annually and it looks to be in good shape. I also appreciate the insight on the DIY approach, looks like I'll be getting a few more quotes.
 
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