Air ducts are a vital component of your home’s HVAC system, and any ducts that are leaking can reduce the performance of the system considerably, increasing your energy costs and making your home less comfortable. Properly sealing your ductwork is a relatively simple process, but there are a few things that you should know first.

WHY A PROPER SEAL IS IMPORTANT

Leaking ductwork can allow up to 30 percent of the air moving through the system to be lost, increasing your heating and cooling bills by up to 40 percent. Additionally, leaks in the ductwork can allow dust, combustion gases from nearby appliances and other pollutants to enter the duct system and be carried throughout the house, reducing your indoor air quality. Properly sealing your ductwork can reduce your energy costs, especially if the ducts run through uninsulated spaces like the attic, basement or a crawl space, and it can improve your home’s indoor air quality.

HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU HAVE LEAKS

A couple of the symptoms of leaky ductwork are high energy costs, inconsistent temperatures or rooms that are hard to keep heated or cooled. You can also inspect any ducts that are easily accessible and check for damaged tape or mastic at the joints, disconnected or loose joints, holes or other damage, and obvious air leaks. Often, however, the ductwork is hidden in walls or otherwise inaccessible, and you may need a professional to inspect it.

SEALING THE DUCTWORK

Sealing your ductwork can be a difficult job, especially if it’s inaccessible, and it’s often best left to a professional. To do it properly, any loose joints need to be secured, using screws for rigid ducts or the proper clamps for flexible ducts, and each joint should be sealed with mastic or foil tape that is specially designed for HVAC systems. Despite the name, regular duct tape cannot do the job properly. Any holes or other damage should be patched, and kinks or twists in flexible ducts should be straightened.

For more information about sealing your ductwork, talk to our professionals at Conditioned Air, serving Southwest Florida.

An air conditioner that isn’t working properly can be a cause for concern, but it shouldn’t make you panic. Sometimes a few simple troubleshooting steps can let you resolve the problem and get the system working again without the need to call for repair. Here are a few things to look for when troubleshooting air conditioner problems and A/C noises.

A/C Doesn’t Work

• Check the power supply to the air conditioner and make sure it is plugged in and receiving power.
• See if the circuit breaker controlling the A/C has tripped. Reset the breaker and see if the air conditioner comes on. If the A/C unit keeps tripping the breaker, there may be an electrical problem that needs to be fixed.
• Make sure all vents and registers are open and free of blockages from furniture, boxes, clothing, or other objects that could restrict airflow.
• Make sure the thermostat is working and that the temperature and operational settings are appropriate for the season. Change the batteries in the thermostat if necessary.

A/C Noises

• Rattling or clattering noises coming from your air conditioner could be the result of an access panel or other cover being loose.
• If you detect new or unusual A/C noises, give the system a short period of time to operate and see if the noises continue.

A/C Produces No Cool Air

• If the fan is working, make sure that the system hasn’t been set to fan-only operation. Set the system to “cool” if necessary.
• Listen to make sure the compressor is working and that coolant is being circulated through the system.
• Check the HVAC system ductwork to ensure that there are not damaged or missing sections and that all sections are fitted tightly together. Each connection should also be sealed with mastic, a specialized sealant, or with metal tape.

Conditioned Air helps the residents of Ft. Myers, Sarasota, Naples, Bradenton, and the surrounding Florida communities keep their air conditioners working properly and reliably. Contact us today for more information on troubleshooting air conditioning problems and A/C noises when your cooling system isn’t working the way it should.

The recovery process is sometimes a slow and painful process. The amount of people coming out of the woodwork to help is outstanding. Our employees here at Conditioned Air have been incredible and are a strong bunch of folks who are not only taking care of our customers but also taking care of things at home. Our hats off to them and to our entire community from Bradenton to Naples that have went above and beyond to help those in need. Here’s just a sample of those who are due a thank you…

Our employees
Our military
First responders
Energy workers
Tree crews
Grocery employees
Gas stations
Truck drivers
Police/fire/emt’s
Teachers
State/County/City Workers
& So many more…