Is there a filter for my AC unit up in the attic?

[BeeBoop]

Yesterday, my AC unit stopped blowing cold air and I realized that I haven't changed any of the filters for a year and a half. I changed the two in the living areas. There's one directly under the AC unit in the living area. Is there another one in the attic? I couldn't spot it but I took some pictures. If anyone is familiar with this unit, let me know if i missed any filters.



Edit: This is actually a picture of a furnace. The AC is outside.

 

[BeeBoop]

In the second picture, with the warning label, is there a filter in there? I didn't want to open it because of the warning label.

 

[Saint Nick]

Those are thumbnails you posted... I can barely make out what is going on in those pics.

 

[BeeBoop]

it doesnt get bigger if u click them? i'll try and repost them

 

[Saint Nick]

Oh yeah that is a lot better.

But, yes, that looks like the panel pops off to where you can access the filter.

Air conditioner in an attic, though? What is this world coming to?

Edit, looks like a furnace in the attic really. Might just be hooked up to only serve cool air from an AC, utilizing only the blower rather than the furnace.

Is there any way you can get the model number off of your unit? I'm checking the York site and a lot of the models look the same.
I would plug "York" and the model into Google and find the user manual for it off of their site.

 

[BeeBoop]

OKay, i'll check again in the morning. It's really freaking hot up there. lol

 

[BeeBoop]

It looks like this one from my google search. York TM9V080B12MP11

https://libertywholesalesupply.com/...HJBdoMJ0kGcGHLBpxE3jGkJY63MqUqPifgaAn228P8HAQ

Edit: Okay, i see there are bunch of model numbers with that design.

 

[edro]

Yeah, it is probably right inside that left panel.
They are usually just outside the unit in the return duct, or right inside the unit next to the blower motor.

No problem opening the unit up. They are made to open.
And that's not a warning label; it's an Energy Star info label.

 

[BeeBoop]

Thanks. I was incorrectly calling the furnace an AC unit.

 

[boomerang]

That PVC drain line tells me that there is A/C involved also. There is a gas line and a drain line for the water that condenses out of the air onto the evaporator when the A/C is running. How many condensing units do you have outdoors?

You should have that serviced. The "T" fitting in the white PVC with the wires coming out of it is to keep the unit from running if the drain line gets plugged. It may not be running because that line is plugged.

We have a second floor condo. As part of the yearly service, they vacuum out that line from ground level after putting some magic stuff (don't know what it is) into the line to kill mold and other nasties that like to accumulate and plug that line. They suggest we put a half a cup of bleach into that line from time to time to keep it from clogging in between. But they plumbed in another "T" fitting with a short standpipe and a cap that is specifically there to pour into.

 

[MustISO]

We have a heatpump in our attic but the two filters are in the ceiling of our top floor so they can be changed without going into the attic. Never thought about a filter up in the attic but I'll go up in the winter and take a look. The basement unit which is a furnace (I guess ) has a filter right before the main unit.

 

[mizzou]

i have a second floor ac unit in our attic. With air lines being insulated vs. straight metal, it makes it feasible. the air return amd intake all come from the 2nd floor. Im sure it effects it being in the attic but its not real noticeable and i love having extra space.

 

[Binky]

The filter is probably at the air intake, not in the furnace/blower unit up in the attic. You say you changed the two in the living areas, suggesting that you have a dual zone system (2 floors?). It sounds like you changed all you can change.

 

[Spacehead]

Did you have the unit installed? Can't call the installer for help?
Or was it there when you bought the house. No service tags anywhere? Try calling the local dealer for the brand of furnace/AC you have for help.

 

[jpal251]

I'm sure it wouldn't hurt to have some yearly maintenance done and the tech can show you where all the filters are

 

[Red Squirrel]

AC is typically part of the furnace so this is probably a furnace with AC added. And odd they would put that in the attic, that's a terrible place to go in at any time of the year lol. Should go in the basement, much easier to access. Also less risk of condensation issues.

But yeah there will most likely be a filter where the return vent enters the unit. Though you mentioned there is some in the living areas, so it could be they opted to just put filters at the actual return vents instead for easier accessibility.

 

[boomerang]

AC is typically part of the furnace so this is probably a furnace with AC added. And odd they would put that in the attic, that's a terrible place to go in at any time of the year lol. Should go in the basement, much easier to access. Also less risk of condensation issues.

People who live in certain parts of the world, especially those of us with basements are sometimes unaware that in other areas, basements are not just rare but in some cased unheard of.

That leaves essentially two places for HVAC equipment. Within the living space and in the attic. It could also be put in a crawl space. HVAC equipment in the attic is quite common. Open up the installation manual for a "furnace" sometime and you will find that they are designed to be oriented in several directions with some minor reconfigurations. They can be installed vertically or on their side or even either side.

 

[bbhaag]

Are you sure there isn't a filter located somewhere on the return side?
The owners manual makes it appear that way.

 

[Binky]

We don't have (many) basements in southern California, and we have a lot of AC furnace/blower units in attics!

As I said above, the filter is at the intake source, NOT in the attic. It would make no sense to hide the filter from the user.

 

[BeeBoop]

lol, I havent checked yet. I was going to call a technician to do a maintenance. It's a 1 floor home with two intake sources.

 

[lupi]

so stupid to put that stuff in an attic, if you can't allocate enough space for a utility closet then you need to rethink your building design.

 

[boomerang]

so stupid to put that stuff in an attic, if you can't allocate enough space for a utility closet then you need to rethink your building design.

Some people don't want them in their living space. There is noise associated with blowers and burners, etc. I wish the unit in our condo was not in living space.

 

[NutBucket]

Agreed. I have no issue with it being in the attic. Seems pretty common....

 

[CPA]

You either have filters in the ceiling intake vents or attached on the furnace in the attic, but not both. If you pulled them from your ceiling that's all you need to do.

Just had to replace my furnace, coil and condenser this weekend. Went with a furnace with a pull out filter. Up until this weekend, we always had our filters in the intake vents in a hallway ceiling.

BTW, in East Texas, all furnaces, coils, blowers go in the attic. Only the condenser is outside (of course). We don't have basements due to flooding.

 

[NutBucket]

We don't have basements due to earthquakes (and construction costs).