We received a question about the potential decline of the R22 Dry Charge units after the 2015 efficiency regulations go into effect and thought others might want to read about this topic. The new efficiency standards going into effect on 1/1/15 do not really address any questions about refrigerants directly.  However, we believe the new regulations will have some indirect effects on demand for R22 dry charge systems since almost all of the dry charge units today are 13 SEER and there will be restrictions on where 13 SEER can be used after the regulations change.  Based on what we have heard from the DOE, there is an 18 month grace period, ending on 6/30/16, to install products built prior to 1/1/15.  Any system built after 1/1/15 must meet the new efficiency standards for affected regions.  Under these new efficiency standards, all heat pumps must be 14 SEER or higher for all regions, irrespective of the refrigerant used, after the 18 month grace period.  All unitary split AC systems in the South and Southwest regions must also meet the 14 SEER or higher standard but they only have to be 13 SEER or higher in the North region, also irrespective of the refrigerant. 

Thus, it would appear that after the grace period, R22, 13 SEER, dry charge unitary split AC systems will only be allowed in the North region. There is nothing pending to our knowledge that will restrict the ability to install those last remaining R-22, dry charge 13 SEER AC models into the North but we do know that all the other regions and all heat pumps for all regions must be 14 SEER.  After the grace period, any dry charge units for those regions and any heat pumps for any region must be 14 SEER, irrespective of refrigerant used.  The question remains as to whether there will be any interest in 14 SEER dry charge units which might meet the minimum SEER level for all heat pumps and for the AC systems in the South and Southwest regions or whether that is even possible. We will continue to monitor this situation as it evolves so please check back from time to time and let us know what you are hearing from others about these regulations.< 1 2 34 > 2 posts, read 65,903 times

Originally Posted by GAwareagles51 In the middle of record setting heat (if not otherwise) set your thermostat higher than 72 What does this sound like to you. Sounds like you need to raise the thermostat a few degrees. Could be a couple of different issues. It could be airflow has dropped from a clogged coil, bad fan motor, clogged fan blades or a combination of all three. It also could just be you're using the wrong filter. Are you using a pleated type "high efficiency" filter or one of those hog hair filters? You can try taking the filter out and see if that stops the freezing (make sure the coil is completely thawed though before you try this). If that solves your problem then go buy some of the el cheapo air filters which aren't restrictive but do allow more debris to get by them. It also could be low on refrigerant. It could also be a combination of all of the above. Without more information, which you're most likely not going to have access to, we can't help you any more than that.

you'll need to call a technician. Assuming this is a 10 SEER system or less the Approach for the evaporator coil should be 35� below indoor ambient. That means at 72�F the evaporator should be operating at around 37�F. The "approach method" is the expected difference in a properly operating HVAC system between condensing/evaporating saturation points and the indoor/outdoor ambient air temperature.little girl falls from ac unit Originally Posted by MrRationallg hvac air conditioning That should mean a higher heat load on the evaporator (unless there is an airflow problem) which wouldn't cause freezing issues.how much should a 5 ton ac unit cost 4,221 posts, read 7,025,500 times Originally Posted by southgeorgia

For the record, the average residential system would hold less than four pounds, so that was pretty close to empty. My first guess is a clogged air filter, this is the most common cause. If you compare a new air filter with old one, you'll notice that the new one is white and the used one is off white in color. This is when you should replace it. you should never allow it to get so clogged that it's any darker than off white in color. If your filter is OK, my next guess is the coil is clogged with dirt caused by not replacing the filter often enough. 43,216 posts, read 43,024,441 times If your filter and coil are not blocked then Your low on freon. Before you ask here is why. The pressure in the suction line is kept at a level that keeps the evaporator from freezing. If your low on freon the pressure drops in the line bringing the temperature below freezing causing it to ice from the evaporator right back to the compressor. While the line runs colder you actually lost capacity from your system from the loss of refrigerant.