If you’ve lived here for even just a year, then you know how uncomfortably hot and humid it gets during the summer months. That being said, you want an air conditioner that will operate effectively and efficiently, right? Well, consider the “V” part of “HVAC”—is your ventilation system in good shape? We’re talking about the ductwork that connects your air conditioner to the outside, enabling the distribution of cooled air. Given that it is typically out of sight—hidden behind walls, beneath floors, and the like—we don’t blame you if you haven’t given it much thought.
But what you should know, is that if your ductwork is in bad shape either due to age or even a poor installation to begin with, you may find yourself in need of air conditioning repair in Edmond, without knowing the actual cause. If your air ducts are affected by leaks, poor connections, or improper construction, then you can be experiencing problems that lead to poor HVAC efficiency, costing you money that you shouldn’t have to spend.
Were Your Ducts Poorly Sized?
As we alluded to above, the problem with your ductwork can be from poor installation to begin with. Whether this occurred because an amateur did the job or the job was done hastily, it can lead to ductwork that is not appropriately sized for your specific air conditioner. Unfortunately, when this is the case many homeowners hear the noise created by the problem and just assume they have a noisy air conditioner and there’s nothing they can do about it.
But this noise is just a symptom of a much bigger problem. When your ductwork is too large for the system with which it’s installed, it causes reduced airflow. This will result in uneven temperatures throughout your home, since conditioned air won’t reach all your vents. Studies have shown that improper duct design and/or installation can lead to as much as a 60% loss in cooling or heating efficiency!
Other Types of Duct Issues
Whether it’s that your ductwork isn’t sized correctly or it has bad connections, poorly installed ducts may experience air leaks. You’ll notice reduced cooling power from your AC as a result, in addition to reduced heating power from your heater when winter rolls back around.
Another issue that can impact any aging ductwork no matter how well it was installed though, is if it’s in a hot attic with no real protection from the elements other than your roof (which is actually a really poor insulator). Your air ducts can accumulate pinhole leaks as a result, which will need to be professionally sealed so you don’t lose out on conditioned air.
How do you know if you even have a problem with your ducts, though? You may notice hot spots throughout the home during the summer—this typically indicates that conditioned air is leaking out into unoccupied spaces rather than reaching the vents they’re intended for. You may also hear a loud rattling noise. It is natural to hear some noise come from your ducts when your air conditioner first turns on and shuts down, as the temperature fluctuates. However, you shouldn’t hear a constant rattling the whole time it’s running.
