A/C Problems

[QurazyQuisp]

So, I just moved to Atlanta from Michigan into an apartment owned buy a guy who had to move to california for a job (So really, it's a condo, but I'm renting from him)

Anyways, it's older, but recently renovated and overall pretty nice however there is one problem. It has central air that works (it's cold), however, all the registers are on the floor, and so is the air return. This means, that all the cold air is at the floor, and just gets sucked down the return and the A/C runs more than it should. Its always colder at the floor than standing up. (quite noticeably) How can I fix this? fans blowing the air from the registers up? Can you get fans that go into the floor registers to get the air flowing more? Any other ideas?

The return also is right beneath the thermostat, which I don't think helps matters. (at least, I'm pretty sure it's the return, I haven't seen any other vents that could play the part)

 

[Rubycon]

It's normal to have the thermostat near a return. If it were close to a supply the thermostat would shut off too quickly before the living space could be satisfied.

Does every room have its own return as well?

 

[QurazyQuisp]

It's normal to have the thermostat near a return. If it were close to a supply the thermostat would shut off too quickly before the living space could be satisfied.

Does every room have its own return as well?

I believe that is the only one. It's not a huge apartment, and the register is kind of in the central location.

I know my parents house in Michigan has the returns near the ceilings that are open during the summer, and near the floor during the winter.

 

[coldmeat]

Well the return should be pretty big and recognizable, especially if it's the only one. If it's really small the blower could be struggling to move the air, and that would be why it just comes out the registers and stays on the floor.

 

[QurazyQuisp]

Well the return should be pretty big and recognizable, especially if it's the only one. If it's really small the blower could be struggling to move the air, and that would be why it just comes out the registers and stays on the floor.

It is quite big, maybe 3-4x the size of one of the registers.

 

[mugs]

Have you tried replacing the air filter(s)? I think with those big returns they put the filter in the return itself.

Thing is, if there's only one return it's not like the air is blowing straight from the register to the return. It should circulate.

 

[LTC8K6]

There are all sorts of register booster fans available, incuding portable ones with their own cord and plug that will drop right in.

 

[LTC8K6]

Ceiling fan?

 

[Iron Woode]

a properly setup furnace should be able to blow the cold air at least 3 - 4 feet high. Get a ceiling fan nearby to circulate the air better. My old townhouse was a mix of floor and ceiling vents. A ceiling fan really helped out.

 

[Newbian]

Did you check for mice coming out of the ac unit and clogging the registers?

 

[eldorado99]

Fleabag probably thinks it has too much refrigerant in it.

 

[lxskllr]

My vote is for a ceiling fan too if you're allowed to put one in. They make a huge difference in comfort, and you could probably raise the temp on the A/C if you were interested in saving a couple bucks.

 

[Sea Moose]

try adjusting the setpoint down a couple of degrees. Make sure your filters are clean.

 

[Leros]

Did you check for mice coming out of the ac unit and clogging the registers?

This accounts for about 50% of A/C problems seen on ATOT.