Fellas... I’m once again coming to you for some help. I have a 15 year old home with a 3 year old AC unit and it’s just not hitting on much. It blows cold, just can’t seem to catch up. It has been 95-100 with index in the 105-110 range that last few days.

I do see where I need to install an attic vent, as I only see one on my roof.

How often though, would my attic need to be reinsulated? It is covered well from what I can tell, doesn’t look flat or anything of that nature.

Any other tips or tricks to try? Mama ain’t been real happy.

Bad vac line most likely. A 3 year old unit should be fine unless you went to small.

Location?

I’ll have to get them to check the vac line, I’m just wondering if my insulation has fallen out. Or if it’s just that dang hot.

The company that installed have also been less than stellar with some plumbing work they did, so it may very well be the wrong size. I have very, very limited HVAC knowledge.

South Mississippi

With the temps he mentions, I'm guessing Texas. Not sure if that helps diagnosing the situation.

Crud. Same difference.

Dark solar screens can help a lot if you have a sun exposed windows.

Close some, maybe all, of the windows, Cletus.




I'm razzing you. Check what these other guys have said. Good luck, this heat is no joke.

Honestly, they was the first thing I checked. My kids are a bit absentminded.... often.

I’ve come home from working nightshift with my front door standing open. My son said, “I took the trash out last night, I guess I didn’t shut it.”

15 yr old home isn’t old.

And Rickym, how does a vac line go bad? Asking for a friend

I have no idea what a vac line that was referenced is?

What is the square footage of the house and do you know the tonnage of the A/C unit is. Is the air handler/furnace in the attic or a closet, is the duct work hard pipe or flex duct, are all rooms getting air flow and all vents open? What is the T-Stat set to, does it ever satisfy i.e. reach temp or does it run 24/7, when was the last time the filter was changed, one filter or mod that one in different locations? Any idea what the supply temp and return air temps are?

Tons and Square footage.

As to air flow... try to keep all interior doors open as much as possible. Lets more air flow throughout the whole house Make sure the returns are not blocked.
Have you checked the filter(s)? Have you cleaned the exterior unit?

I learned that my home I have to keep it at 73-74 always, If I try to set it higher when I am away and try to cool it down, it won't catch up and will run non-stop. That is with a 15 yr old system. I did just get my highest electric bill of $301.00 That's almost $80 higher that last month and I thought that was bad.
Anyways, just to say maybe keep it at 1 temp 24/7.

Also did the unit ever seem to keep the house cool or is this something that just started? How long have you been in the house?

This is the first time we’ve had a problem with it. We replaced a capacitor about a month and a half ago, but it was cooling fine about 3 days ago and it’s still blowing cold, it just can’t seem to get below 78-79 in here. But it’s also been 10-15 degrees hotter outside the last few days plus full sun.

Maybe it’s just so dang hot outside.

size of ac and sq. footage?

1640’ and I BELIEVE it’s a 2.5ton

Lakhota’s ?’s are spot on.

You just need to get a good AC company on it. Our house is 11 years old, and after the first 10 we had problems. We had to replace the upstairs equipment, add freon to the outside unit, and on the advice of the AC guy we replaced the thermostat. The system works great now. Surprisingly, the new thermostat made a real difference to the good.

Your outside unit may need the fins cleaned too.

Seek professional help.

100+ weather is a big factor. Sure it’s gonna run all day

FWIT

I change my filter every month . I buy #8's (MPR, MERV)

Every month I do the same.

If it’s a 2 1/2 it’s under sized should be about a 3 1/2. Heck to see if the condenser is clean and hot humid air is harder to cool than just hot air and I know MS is humid.