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Common AC Problems: Leaking Air Ducts

duct-sealingIf you are using window unit air conditioners in order to cool your entire home, then you really are doing yourself a disservice. Sure, these systems have their uses. However, they are not an ideal option for cooling a whole house. They run pretty much constantly, burning through energy and leaving warm spots in the house. Plus, they leave the house unsecured, as they sit in open window frames. A much better option for whole-house cooling is a system designed to do just that: cool a whole house.

That is where the central air conditioner comes into play. A central AC is specifically manufactured in order to keep an entire house cool throughout its living space. These systems must be appropriately sized for the spaces in which they are installed, and they must be professionally serviced. If you use a central air conditioner in Prosperity, NC, you need to know that every component of that system, including its ductwork, is working properly.

Why Is Damaged Ductwork Such a Problem?

If you, like so many other homeowners, are using a central air conditioning system in order to distribute conditioned air throughout your home, then you rely upon your air ducts for doing so. If those air ducts are leaking, then you are allowing cooled air to escape from the ducts and hot air from unconditioned areas of the house to enter them. Needless to say, this leads to a number of different problems, including the following.

  • Increased cooling costs.
  • Decreased overall comfort.
  • Uneven cooling.
  • Reduced indoor air quality.
  • Unnecessary strain on the system.

While your air ducts are largely hidden from view, ruling out the simple visual inspection of their condition, the development of such issues can raise a red flag to alert you to trouble. If you suspect that your air ducts are not in great working condition, give us a call. We’ll figure out for certain if your air ducts are compromised.

What’s the Next Step?

Duct testing is really your best bet if you want to determine if your air ducts are leaking. This is a job that only trained professionals can complete. Don’t worry. We’re not going to be punching holes in your walls to figure out if your air ducts are damaged. Instead,  we’ll use a finely calibrated fan to pressurize the ductwork. We can measure the pressure within the ducts against that being input by the fan. Discrepancies will reveal if there are leaks.

What Then?

Duct sealing, that’s what. No, we are not talking about slapping some duct tape onto the ducts and calling it a day. This is not a good solution, and duct tape really should never be applied to ducts — it breaks down every quickly. Instead, our technicians will determine exactly where the leaks are. Then, they’ll apply mastic to those leaks in order to effectively seal them up. This will solve the problem with long-lasting success, allowing you to get back to cooling — and heating — your home effectively and efficiently.

Fulmer Heating & Cooling can handle your air duct services.

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