Go outside and look for an insulated copper pipe running from your outdoor AC unit to your home. There's refrigerant inside, and it should be really cold during the summer. When you touch the copper (some will be exposed between the insulation and the unit), it should feel cold.
If your AC is running but not cooling, it could be due to a dirty air filter, incorrect thermostat settings, a malfunctioning thermostat, a refrigerant leak, dirty condenser coils, blocked vents or ducts, a faulty compressor, frozen evaporator coils, or electrical issues.
The larger or low side line should be cold and usually sweating, the high side, or smaller line should be hot to the touch if the compressor is doing its job.
If the filter drier is restricted enough, it will feel cool or cold to the touch. This phenomenon happens from some of the liquid refrigerant experiencing a slight pressure drop and expanding into vapor as it travels through the filter drier.
If the line set is cold and sweating, your AC is cooling. If not, your AC isn't working properly.
In a condenser, all types of blockages or restrictions, internal or external, will increase head pressure and cause a drop in performance. Internal blockages can usually be detected by feeling the condenser for cool spots. Where the refrigerant is under pressure it will be hot, where the pressure drops it will be cool.
Also, note how much warmer the liquid line is than the outdoor temperature. It should be between 3°F and 20°F warmer than the outdoor temperature. If it is above or below that range, connect gauges.
AC is Producing Warm Air
One of the surefire signs of a clogged refrigerant line is if you notice the AC producing warm air when you expect cold air. The warm air is caused by a problem with the proper circulation of the refrigerant fluid, which is instrumental in cooling the air.
The Copper Pipe (Suction Line) should be sweating and cold to the touch during a hot day. If it is not cold, your compressor could be off (bad capacitor/ hard start kit) or low on Refrigerant. Your Breaker is Tripped. Be Careful because this usually indicates a problem with the compressor or wiring.
The evaporator coils in your system are filled with refrigerant, which in turn absorbs the heat created by your air conditioner. When problems arise with your A/C, the balance of heat-intake and cooling-production can be upset, causing your coils to get too cold and freeze your line.
If your air conditioning unit is ac blowing cold air outside, it might mean there's a problem with cooling the air inside. This could be due to refrigerant leaks, frozen coils, electrical issues, or airflow problems. It's important to find out why to fix it and keep the cold air inside.
The suction line will feel cold to the touch because it carries cooled refrigerant that leaves the condenser. This line is the one to insulate.
Then, when you measure the suction line before the compressor, the temperature can increase about 3-5 degrees more. Overall, you'll want your temperature to be below 65 degrees at the compressor inlet. If you see a lower temperature, then you'll want to start looking at airflow.
If the AC system is operating correctly, then the air coming out of your vent should be about twenty degrees cooler than the regular temperature inside. So, if you're cooling it and the house is 80 degrees, then you would ideally want the air to be about 60 degrees. Have more air conditioner questions?
Refrigerant lines typically last 20-25 years.
Refrigerant is a primary component in a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system. Proper pressure and charge ensure that refrigerant cycles efficiently through the compressor and evaporator coil. Blocked or restricted refrigerant lines can affect the efficiency and effectiveness of the entire system.
The cool/cold line is known as the suction line or ac return line. It conveys fluids, such as refrigerants, at temperatures of about 40°F [4.4°C]. The liquid line conveys warm/hot fluids at about 110°F [43.3°C]. Finally, the discharge line is typically very hot and operates at about 150°F [66°C].
All selections are based on a maximum of 65°F return gas entering the compressor and refrigerant condensing and liquid line temperature of 105°F.
Upon entering the evaporator, the liquid refrigerant's temperature is between 40° and 50°F; and without changing its temperature; it absorbs heat as it changes state from a liquid to a vapor.
Restriction Consequences
The system will have symptoms of low suction pressures, high evaporator and compressor superheats, normal-to-high condenser subcooling, low compressor amp draws, and low head pressures.