I was wondering if you guys could help me with a narrative.
I try to use the KISS method when inspecting HVAC equipment and I haven’t really ran in to this yet but I got close the other day which got me thinking about how to word a narrative.
I always check to see if the liquid and suction lines are with in the right temperature. I just do this by grabbing them and I know the suction line should be “beer can” cold and the liquid line should be warm but not hot. It will be warmer the hotter the day is I do know. I know that this is not an exact science and to tell if you have low coolant that you need to put a gauge on the unit which is a HVAC guys job not mine.
I am looking for a narrative that describes the problem if the liquid line is to hot to even touch or if the suction line is not cold or both, since they usually come together. I have one when it is the other way and the lines freeze but not this way.
Up until this point there have always been something else wrong with the system that needs services so I call for a complete eval and repair/service. The other day I had this but I couldn’t find anything else really wrong with the system. I knew it needed serviced so I just said it needs serviced due to the age of the unit being 27 years old. I was guessing that the clogged filter was hiding the inefficient cooling and bringing the temperature down to just within lower limits. But I could of been wrong.
I am just looking for a narrative that will explain this in an intelligent way and get the point across.
In my opinion there is no narrative that will cover what your asking, feeling the line set for temp is out in left field. If I was you that would be dropped all together.
I am not going to try and explain the temp pressure relationship of refrigerant to many variables.
Investigate:** The larger insulated refrigerantline does not appear to be very cold. Typically, when the system has been operating for a few minutes, we expect this line to be cold to the touch (somewhere around 45° to 55° F). This could be an indication that the system is performing poorly and requires servicing. We suggest you bring this to the attention of your A/C service specialist the next time you have the system serviced. **
Small Line – Not Warm Enough
Investigate:** The smaller uninsulated refrigerant line does not appear to be very warm. Typically, when the system has been operating for ten to fifteen minutes, we expect this line to ber elatively hot to the touch (somewhere around 90° to 110° F). This could be an indication that the system is performing poorly and requires servicing. We suggest you bring this to the attention of your A/C service specialist the nexttime you have the system serviced. **
I have never put it in the report either and I don’t expect that I will really need to. I just wanted to be prepared.
Also a side note… Every “old school” HVAC tech I have ever met in the field the first thing they do is grab the lines to feel temps. Just the other day I had a guy that had been doing it for almost 40 years and grad the lines felt how hot they were and said your right there isn’t much coolant in the system at all.
Yes sir us old guys do that but your not an old HVAC guy I am trying to keep you out of trouble. Feeling the line set is just an educated guess one does not know for sure until the gauges are put on.