a/c runs 24/7 - my electric bill $117!!! - http://www.hvacmechanic.com/ Forums
Original message
| rngora01
 |  "a/c runs 24/7 - my electric bill $117!!!"
, posted Wed 20 Aug 12:31  
moved to a new apartment in July. The a/c in the apartment runs 24/7, the t-stat is set to 74 degrees. But the a/c has hard time reaching that temp. only reaches that temp when outside temp is below 66 degrees. had the a/c coil and a-coil in the furnace cleaned, but no change, the air coming out of the vents is 60 degrees...What should I do????????? Please help, my electric bill this month was $117
Please Help Me!!!
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Replies:
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| aircooled
|  "Re(1):a/c runs 24/7 - my electric bill $117!!"
, posted Sat 23 Aug 07:52
Better get some one to check the fan motor on that condenser, with 10* drop across the coil something isn't right on system.
20* drop from what is entering return to supply air temp at coil.
"People will forget what you said people will forget what you did but people will never forget how you made them feel."
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| Freon
| "Re(1):a/c runs 24/7 - my electric bill $117!!" , posted Wed 20 Aug 13:25
Since you are renting and not the owner, you need to contact the maintenance manager. Tell hime the trouble and suggest he check the charge. If you do not get satisfactory results, call the local legal aid and see if you can deduct from your rent any funds you spend on hiring an HVAC company to do something.
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| | rngora01
| "Re(2):a/c runs 24/7 - my electric bill $117!!" , posted Wed 20 Aug 14:31
the maintenance manager was the one who asked me to have someone we know to clean the coils and the charge is full (per his checking). what are the possible causes of the a/c not to be able to reach the set temp. of 72 degrees? I just want to go to the maintenance manager with some possibilities. The reason we were ok'ed to get someone we knew is because, they have a contractor who didnt even come inside to check the furnace and said everything was ok with the heating/cooling system and that the insulation in the building is bad. However, our neighbor has never had any problems, thus could not be the insulation. Our guy diagnosed that there was burner on without the heat being on, the fan in the furnace switched on even though the stat was set to off. We were also told the furnace is probably 20 years old. What do you suggest is the best recourse?
Please Help Me!!!
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| | yuri
| "Re(3):a/c runs 24/7 - my electric bill $117!!" , posted Wed 20 Aug 15:10
If it is an electric furnace have a qualified electrician check it. I had one where an electric element was stuck on at the same time as the A/C and it ran up the bill huge. Could have a bad sequencer/stuck relay.
Yuri
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| | rngora01
| "Re(4):a/c runs 24/7 - my electric bill $117!!" , posted Wed 20 Aug 16:30
Yuri,
Ours is a gas furnace. Could that problem still exist? If we have the furnace changed, would that resolve the issue?
Please Help Me!!!
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| | yuri
| "Re(5):a/c runs 24/7 - my electric bill $117!!" , posted Wed 20 Aug 17:28:
It is REMOTELY possible that one burner could be on. Did the tech leave the furnace ON like that? If he did it would be dangerous as hell and the clown should have visually shown you the burner being on and shut the unit down. It is a major safety issue as your gas valve may be leaking gas into the burners. I would have the gas shut off immediately to the furnace and it checked properly. VERY rare that it happens but it is possible. Call the gas utility as they may check it for free or get a tech who is reputable immediately.
Yuri
[this message was edited by yuri on Wed 20 Aug 17:33] |
| | rngora01
| "Re(6):a/c runs 24/7 - my electric bill $117!!" , posted Wed 20 Aug 17:35
it is crazy that you mentioned that because he came out after my reply to you and noticed that one of the burners was on. He turned the pilot off and also cleaned the a-coil again. However, it somehow is not cooling our air. This is the following he did...
1) Checked to make sure the a/c charged fully
2) Cleaned the outside and inside coils
3) Replaced the filter
4) Turned off the pilot to stop gas leakage
I cannot understand the life of me..why this FREAKING a/c will not blow cold air or cool the apartment down without running all day...aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh!!! I just want a functioning a/c.
Please Help Me!!!
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| | yuri
| "Re(7):a/c runs 24/7 - my electric bill $117!!" , posted Wed 20 Aug 17:43:
Do you have a fresh air vent from outside the building connected to the return air duct of the furnace. If so it needs to be closed for Summer. We use them where I live to get fresh air/moisture control in the Winter. If left open it brings in hot humid air and overloads the unit. Is any of the return air duct in an attic. If it is leaking anywhere it may be bringing in excess warm air or losing cold air. Turned OFF the pilot? It is a wee small flame and should be ON. If one of the main burners is ON then that is a major problem. Not sure I trust this guy.
Yuri
[this message was edited by yuri on Wed 20 Aug 17:45] |
| | rngora01
| "Re(8):a/c runs 24/7 - my electric bill $117!!" , posted Wed 20 Aug 22:36
I must correct myself. My husband explained to me that the hvac guy did not turn the pilot off, but he turned off the gas supply to the furnace.
We do not have what you are talking about. Would replacing the furnace help us with our a/c? What do YOU recommend. I am getting the impression that you REALLY know what you are talking about.
Please Help Me!!!
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| | yuri
| "Re(9):a/c runs 24/7 - my electric bill $117!!" , posted Thu 21 Aug 15:29
I assume you own the apartment/condo. If the furnace is old enough to have a pilot light it should be replaced due to in-efficiency ( and now it needs an expensive repair). They are all 20+ yrs old and the heat exchangers fail. Get a good accurate stick type cooking thermometer and check the temp difference between the supply and return air ducts. It should be at least 16 deg F. If less your compressor may be worn/losing capacity and only a experienced tech can recognize that. Maybe your guy is doing his best but needs more experience. Are the ducts all sealed properly/not losing cold air or gaining hot return air? Is the unit in an attic?
Yuri
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| | rngora01
| "Re(10):a/c runs 24/7 - my electric bill $117!" , posted Thu 21 Aug 17:02
The a/c unit itself is outside the apartment building facing west. The furnace is in the basement.
Please Help Me!!!
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| | rngora01
| "Re(2):Re(10):a/c runs 24/7 - my electric bill" , posted Thu 21 Aug 19:29
I checked the temps of the supply and return vent. Supply: 65 degrees; Return: 75
does that help? I rent my apartment...btw!! I am trying to find out if there is anything my landlord can do and will do before it is considered lack of care. I want to make sure I cover all my bases before I put our rent escrow until they fix it. I lived in an all electric apartment and we still paid only $75 average monthly electric bill.
Please Help Me!!!
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| | yuri
| "Re(3):Re(10):a/c runs 24/7 - my electric bill" , posted Thu 21 Aug 21:35:
You need a minimum 15-16 deg temp drop so it sounds like your unit has lost capacity or has air leakage/infiltration. Your tech should have realized this. Maybe time for another tech to find out the real problem. Get the readings from your neighbors unit and compare them.
Yuri
[this message was edited by yuri on Thu 21 Aug 21:37] |
| | Freon
| "Re(10):a/c runs 24/7 - my electric bill $117!" , posted Thu 21 Aug 15:37
"1) Checked to make sure the a/c charged fully"
Can you get the data he gathered to conclude it was fully charged? Possibly the compressor is not compressing the refrigerant like it should. The only way to know if you have a sick system is to get the actual data... high side and low side pressures... high side and low side line (tubing) temperatures. Since the gas is off there is no unexpected heat. It seems the AC is just not doing it's job or is too small for your apartment.
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