When you’re not getting enough power from your heating or air conditioning system, you probably assume it’s due to an issue with the unit itself. And sometimes, HVAC repair can be costly, especially if it turns out that your unit needs to be replaced. But it’s important to schedule HVAC system inspection with a trained professional from time to time to make sure that everything is running smoothly. An air conditioner or heater that is overworked can wear down quickly, resulting in more expensive repairs later on. And one of the parts that is likely to cause the most stress on an HVAC system is the ducts.
The ducts are responsible for providing a route between the air handler and the vents in your home. While it seems like a fairly simple job, most air ducts actually suffer from major or minor leaks. The air pressure moving along the system can cause cracks and holes to develop, and often there are air leaks in the ducts simply because of a poor installation job.
In fact, air leaks run rampant in most homes in the United States. Experts estimate than in a typical home, up to thirty percent of the conditioned air in the ducts is wasted via leaks of all sorts. Small leaks add up, to the point that too much of the air that is cooled or heated at the indoor air handler escapes into unoccupied areas of the home. You may notice, in this case, that it takes too long for your home to reach the desired temperature, or that rooms in the home are too hot, cold, or drafty.
Holes in the ducts can even allow for contaminants to enter the air you breathe. Ducts typically run through an unconditioned space like the attic or a crawlspace. And these areas can contain dust particles and insulation material, both of which can be hazardous to inhale. But they can get sucked into the ductwork and get past the vents into your home.
If your air conditioning and heating system doesn’t seem to be working as well as it once did, or if it’s been a long time since someone has examined your ducts, contact Alpha Air Corporation today!
Join Us Online