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Comment by qes | Hacker News Reader

> For the first time in ten years

Had your coolant pressure checked lately? Heat exchanger fins clean, clear, and straight?

I haven't actually had it checked but I'm pretty sure that the A/C is working just fine. While it is running it produces plenty of cold air. And although it is almost ten years old, it hasn't seen a lot of use during that time. Until now, that is.

If your unit is too big it actually makes things worse, because it cycles on and off a lot more which in turn means it pulls less humidity out of the air. I think the rule is you want one ton per 600sq ft that you’re cooling, give or take.

I'm pretty sure that we're underpowered if anything. Our house is three stories, built into a hill. Only the top two floors are even plumbed for A/C and only the top floor has a compressor installed. Like I said earlier, the builder didn't think we'd need A/C at all.

Humidity inside is running about 50% at the moment.

> Humidity inside is running about 50% at the moment.

Drop that by 10-15% with a dehumidifier and you’ll feel a heck of a lot cooler despite temperature being the same.

Minisplits upstairs might be a good idea. Also, anything to reduce the stack effect. You might have air leaks pulling heat upwards all day. Our house is old and retrofitted, so the return air upstairs is inadequate but closing the downstairs vents makes a huge difference in the summer, since old air sinks.

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