What Common Ductwork Problems Are Costing Atlanta Homeowners
No apparent cause for your energy bills to be on the rise come summer? Some rooms in your home are invariably too warm and others are just fine? You may find the air conditioner is never done running.
Chances are the trouble has nothing to do with the unit itself, but with what is in your ductwork. We at Trinity Air Heating & Air Conditioning have put in a lot of time with homeowners in the Atlanta Metro and Peachtree City since 1997 and we would say ductwork is one of the most frequently encountered and overlooked issues. A call to (770) 874-0798 will put us on it.
Consider your duct system as the means by which your home is supplied with conditioned air. As long as it is doing its job you do not give it a thought. But when there is an issue it is something you will notice in your wallet and in your comfort.
Leaky Ducts and Your Wallet
We see a great deal of plain air leakage, the number one problem with ductwork. Joints can open up, seals fail and connections get loose. All that air you put money into cooling or heating is then lost to your walls, attic or crawlspace.
You will know if your ducts are leaking:
- The thermostat says one thing but the room will not get there
- Bills are higher than they should be from one month to the next
- More dust than normal is making an appearance
- Vents are whistling or you hear a rush of air
- Furnace or air conditioner is hard at work nearly all the time
- There is no consistency in temperature from room to room
Small leaks have a way of adding up. In the course of an Atlanta summer the system is made to run longer and harder to make up for it, putting a dent in your costs and your equipment’s longevity.
The Heat of the Attic and Insulation
A good many of the homes we service have their ductwork in the attic. Without adequate insulation that air will be warmer by the time it makes it to you; in July an uninsulated duct in an attic of over 100 degrees will add several degrees to your cooled air. It is easy for a homeowner to forget about such things when the ducts are out of view, yet with the right insulation the air coming from the vent will be at the temperature the equipment put out.
When Ducts Are Blocked or Crushed
For proper airflow the path must be unobstructed. This can be due to a number of things:
- Rugs or furniture in front of the vents
- An old air filter in need of replacing
- Debris within the ducts or flexible ducts that have been kinked
- Vents left closed in rooms you do not use, upsetting the balance of the system
Restrict the flow and the system has to strain against it, creating hot and cold spots in the house.
Undersized or Poorly Designed Ducts
In some cases the fault lies with the original installation. Ducts that are ill routed or of insufficient size will not put the right amount of air in each room. Put a new air conditioner to old, undersized ducts, or make an addition to the home, and you have a comfort issue a little fiddling with the thermostat will not resolve. Our technicians have the experience to assess the design and tell you what needs to be done.
An Issue for Atlanta Homes
The humidity and length of our summers exact a toll on any cooling system. Where a milder climate might let a duct problem pass, here it is soon evident in the form of uneven comfort and the bill that comes with it. To extend the life of your equipment and spare your budget these problems have to be dealt with.
As a Certified Trane Dealer, Trinity Air is fully licensed and insured (License #CN208547). We do residential and commercial alike and stand behind our “Guaranteed Parts and Services” with a 1-year service guarantee and, per the manufacturer, a parts guarantee of as much as 10 years. We can provide a free estimate so one does not have to wonder what is happening in the walls.
Should your system not seem to rest or your rooms are anything but even, we can determine the cause. We are at your service 24/7 in Fayetteville, Tyrone, Newnan, Sharpsburg, Senoia, Stockbridge and throughout the Atlanta Metropolitan area and Peachtree City. Contact Trinity Air Heating & Air Conditioning at (770) 874-0798 and make your home more affordable and comfortable.