Air Handler Questionable Install
user-1142126746
| Posted in Construction Techniques on
Hi all,
I have recently acquired a home where the handler seems to be improperly installed and I believe it to be at the core of the AC problems. All I want to know is if this is considered proper HVAC practice. The air handler access panel to the coil was cut into pieces to route in/out the freon.
I believe the air is bypassing the filter, being sucked through the gaps, and allowing the coil to freeze. This morning I awoke to an electrical fire with the blower and reached the peak of my coping with this.
Photos attached.
Personal Background: 12th year construction design, 3rd year BS-construction, TBD GC
Replies
Might be time to toss the whole mess and start over.
the wiring in the photos does not look all that impressive, not routed and secured on its way, which would be good.
What happened with the fire? did a loose wire contact the fan and arc? or did the motor freeze and burn up?
It may be that a setup which places the fan in the flow after the filter, but before the cooling coils would be more resistant to freeze-ups.
Good luck finding a good contractor to do the install. seems that lots of firms are quite busy, and some parts availability issues.
I'm an HVAC guy but I can't tell the extent of your problems from these pictures. Sure looks like a hack job though. Coils definitely can freeze from lack of airflow or low refrigerant. This is the air handler portion, I wonder what the rest of the system looks like. Professional help likely needed here if you can find it.