So my AC unit can't keep up with florida summer temps as much as I'd like. Condensor and handler are 26 years old but in good condition..
I really don't want to fuck with handler since it's in attic and ideally down the road I'd move it out of the attic by maybe building onto house..
Could a bigger condensor solve my issue and also be reusable when I eventually replace the handler?
no, in terms of bigger ac, it might not be good, and could be worse, many homes have AC issues cuz they just think bigger is better, when you need to have the properly sized units in, for instance upgrading to a more btu unit could choke out your ac cuz youre now not getting enough return air.
if its been working "fine" all these years, then it was probably properly sized, and it's just getting old or dirty or you need some freon.
first steps
1. change your ac filter
imo, get a non restrictive filter first, one of those "blue" filters, if you instantly notice cooling is better, then your filters were either dirty or restrictive (merv 1-5)
heres a chart on merv ratings
3m has their own filter ratings, i use merv cuz it's an industry standard.
for reference i have merv 12 cuz of my wifes allergies, merv13 chokes out my ac
2.
clean your condensor outside
the video shows you a foam spray, i used that b4, i now use this
Nu-Calgon 4291-08 Nu-Brite, 1- Gallon
does it work better? it "looks" cleaner, after 3uses it's way cheaper. i also use it to clean out my cars radiator, but you can just pick up a can of foam spray for now and just use a garden hose, no pressure washer cuz fins are delicate
then your condsor is old so your fins are probably all banged up, get a fin comb
Supco FCR6 Fin Comb Ring
i did this when i first bought the house, a few hours cuz some fins looked like they got smashed by rocks, sometimes you use a knife/flat screwdriver instead, you'd learn easily
level your conderer and replace any rotted off foam insulation on the lines and thats all you can do for it
3. clean your a coil
if all that doesn't work call out a ac guy, he'll probably try to fill it up with freon first then.
www.milwaukeetool.com
