Is there an HVAC MAN/Woman in the House

[scarygirl]

I keep hearing this squealing noise everytime my central air kicks on. Any suggestions as to why? It just started doing this today.

[JRNYMAN]

I keep hearing this squealing noise everytime my central air kicks on. Any suggestions as to why? It just started doing this today.

Sounds like the bearings on the blower fan are on their way out. Is your unit a one-piece or do you have a two piece with the compressor on the ground and the air handler in your attic/basement?

[scarygirl]

I keep hearing this squealing noise everytime my central air kicks on. Any suggestions as to why? It just started doing this today.

Sounds like the bearings on the blower fan are on their way out. Is your unit a one-piece or do you have a two piece with the compressor on the ground and the air handler in your attic/basement?

I think the air handler is in attic so a two piece. Is that an expensive fix?

[JRNYMAN]

I keep hearing this squealing noise everytime my central air kicks on. Any suggestions as to why? It just started doing this today.

Sounds like the bearings on the blower fan are on their way out. Is your unit a one-piece or do you have a two piece with the compressor on the ground and the air handler in your attic/basement?

I think the air handler is in attic so a two piece. Is that an expensive fix?

No, not generally - if you are able to do it yourself. The problem with air handlers being in the attic is
A. accessing it
B. Having enough light and workspace,
C. quickly finding the part locally once you have ID'd the part number, model number of your unit, etc. and
D. Pulling and then pressing the bearings from the shaft. It will most likely require a pulley puller which you can rent inexpensively at your local tool rental store.

It's not a difficult job if you know what you're doing and have at least some knowledge of mechanical equipment. However, if you're a novice and have never attempted this kind of repair, you might be better off leaving it to a qualified professional. If you do decide to do it yourself, these two things are extremely important:
1. TURN OFF THE POWER TO THE UNIT AT YOUR FUSE/SWITCH BOX BEFORE STARTING THE REPAIR! 220 volts can kill you!
2. Bring a fair amount of patience. Depending on the environment you will be working in, it will definitely be hot and most likely cramped working space with minimal light. Take your time.

Finally, if you post the model number of your unit (the model number on the compressor which is the part on the ground outside your house will suffice for the complete unit including the air handler) I can post some instructions you can follow and I can also tell you the exact part number you will need. The database I use automatically cross-references part numbers with all units which use the same part and, if you list your zip code, I can tell you where you can get the part you need locally and maybe even the best price for it!

Good luck and God bless!

Steve

[JRNYMAN]

One thing I failed to suggest....

If you have fairly easy access to your attic, you can quickly confirm the noise as being the bearings by going up into the attic while your unit is running and if the sound gets louder the closer you get to it, BINGO! If, you seemingly can't pinpoint where the sound is emitting from, it probably isn't the bearings and then we're talking about a whole different situation altogether. Odds are it's the bearings and they will continue to get louder the longer you wait to replace them. Keep in mind, the reason they are squealing is due to the grease inside the factory sealed part has broken down and is no longer lubricating the shaft and the bearings as the fan turns which is creating friction which equals heat. Eventually, it will no longer be able to turn and it will lock up and your repair bill just became exponentially higher.

[scarygirl]

I keep hearing this squealing noise everytime my central air kicks on. Any suggestions as to why? It just started doing this today.

Sounds like the bearings on the blower fan are on their way out. Is your unit a one-piece or do you have a two piece with the compressor on the ground and the air handler in your attic/basement?

I think the air handler is in attic so a two piece. Is that an expensive fix?

No, not generally - if you are able to do it yourself. The problem with air handlers being in the attic is
A. accessing it
B. Having enough light and workspace,
C. quickly finding the part locally once you have ID'd the part number, model number of your unit, etc. and
D. Pulling and then pressing the bearings from the shaft. It will most likely require a pulley puller which you can rent inexpensively at your local tool rental store.

It's not a difficult job if you know what you're doing and have at least some knowledge of mechanical equipment. However, if you're a novice and have never attempted this kind of repair, you might be better off leaving it to a qualified professional. If you do decide to do it yourself, these two things are extremely important:
1. TURN OFF THE POWER TO THE UNIT AT YOUR FUSE/SWITCH BOX BEFORE STARTING THE REPAIR! 220 volts can kill you!
2. Bring a fair amount of patience. Depending on the environment you will be working in, it will definitely be hot and most likely cramped working space with minimal light. Take your time.

Finally, if you post the model number of your unit (the model number on the compressor which is the part on the ground outside your house will suffice for the complete unit including the air handler) I can post some instructions you can follow and I can also tell you the exact part number you will need. The database I use automatically cross-references part numbers with all units which use the same part and, if you list your zip code, I can tell you where you can get the part you need locally and maybe even the best price for it!

Good luck and God bless!

Steve

Thank you for your offer of help, but considering I shocked myself in an attempt to change a burnt out rusted in microwave light bulb (i forgot to turn off the power) I think I will pass and let the professionals do the electrocution, I mean fixing.....

[JRNYMAN]

I keep hearing this squealing noise everytime my central air kicks on. Any suggestions as to why? It just started doing this today.

Sounds like the bearings on the blower fan are on their way out. Is your unit a one-piece or do you have a two piece with the compressor on the ground and the air handler in your attic/basement?

I think the air handler is in attic so a two piece. Is that an expensive fix?

No, not generally - if you are able to do it yourself. The problem with air handlers being in the attic is
A. accessing it
B. Having enough light and workspace,
C. quickly finding the part locally once you have ID'd the part number, model number of your unit, etc. and
D. Pulling and then pressing the bearings from the shaft. It will most likely require a pulley puller which you can rent inexpensively at your local tool rental store.

It's not a difficult job if you know what you're doing and have at least some knowledge of mechanical equipment. However, if you're a novice and have never attempted this kind of repair, you might be better off leaving it to a qualified professional. If you do decide to do it yourself, these two things are extremely important:
1. TURN OFF THE POWER TO THE UNIT AT YOUR FUSE/SWITCH BOX BEFORE STARTING THE REPAIR! 220 volts can kill you!
2. Bring a fair amount of patience. Depending on the environment you will be working in, it will definitely be hot and most likely cramped working space with minimal light. Take your time.

Finally, if you post the model number of your unit (the model number on the compressor which is the part on the ground outside your house will suffice for the complete unit including the air handler) I can post some instructions you can follow and I can also tell you the exact part number you will need. The database I use automatically cross-references part numbers with all units which use the same part and, if you list your zip code, I can tell you where you can get the part you need locally and maybe even the best price for it!

Good luck and God bless!

Steve

Thank you for your offer of help, but considering I shocked myself in an attempt to change a burnt out rusted in microwave light bulb (i forgot to turn off the power) I think I will pass and let the professionals do the electrocution, I mean fixing.....

Probably a good idea then. My grandfather used to have all these dorky, corny little sayings which, became less dorky the older I got.... Hmm... go figure.... Anyway, one of them was something to the effect of, "It is the wisest of men who are confident enough of their own abilities who seeks the assistance of someone wiser."

That being the case, I'll have to amend my answer to your original question regarding the cost of the repair. No, it won't be super expensive but it's not going to be cheap either. The service call is going to be somewhere around $100 min. then the cost of the part(s) which will be the lowest price of the entire deal and finally, fuel charges, and misc. crap. So, expect to pay somewhere in the neighborhood of $200-300 give or take depending what part of the country you're in.

Interesting side note:
In Lake Havasu City and Parker, AZ when you call an AC/Heating service company during the summer months to come out to your home.... if they tell you a tech will be out between say, 10 and 12, they mean 10 and 12 at night! If you need a repair during daytime hours and it requires the tech to get on the roof..... you can expect to pay double the cost of the service call! And with good reason too. This past week, the temps in Havasu and Parker reached 120+ (Death Valley reached 127 on Tuesday) which translates to over 150 deg. on the roof's surface! No Thanks!
Every year one of the local stations does a poll of the hottest job in America and not surprisingly, the one that usually wins is: Roofer in Havasu in the summertime. [/b]

[scarygirl]

One thing I failed to suggest....

If you have fairly easy access to your attic, you can quickly confirm the noise as being the bearings by going up into the attic while your unit is running and if the sound gets louder the closer you get to it, BINGO! If, you seemingly can't pinpoint where the sound is emitting from, it probably isn't the bearings and then we're talking about a whole different situation altogether. Odds are it's the bearings and they will continue to get louder the longer you wait to replace them. Keep in mind, the reason they are squealing is due to the grease inside the factory sealed part has broken down and is no longer lubricating the shaft and the bearings as the fan turns which is creating friction which equals heat. Eventually, it will no longer be able to turn and it will lock up and your repair bill just became exponentially higher.

okay, will do so.