3 Common Ductwork and Air Flow Problems in Air Conditioners

Homeowners only begin wondering about the working of their air conditioners once the temperatures get warmer, though never during the cold months. Summer may be the only time that an AC unit gets attention, thus making it more prone to problems that are often due to lack of maintenance.

Some of the little nagging problems that come up when operating an air con are reparable if only they are spotted in good time. The ductwork is part of the cooling system that may give you problems when you run an air conditioning system. When air from the system is not cool enough or only cools parts of the room, the ducts could be the issue.

1. Disconnected Ducts

Some technicians don’t take the time to check out the ducts, causing them to misdiagnose problems that result from disconnected ductwork such as low refrigerant levels or faulty coils. If the initial installation was not done properly or the system is an old one, the ducts can disconnect completely, meaning that air is not reaching the room.

2. Improper Installation

Poor installation of ducts is a common occurrence and may be a constant cause of an inefficient air conditioner. Flex ducts have become very popular in the industry, but some contractors still have problems installing them properly.

Common mistakes include leaving lengths of unnecessary ducts in place, lack of rigid elbows, and unneeded bends along the length of a flex duct.

All these faults will interfere with the flow of air in an AC, meaning that the cooling capacity decreases significantly.

3. Leaks

Leaks in the ductwork may be a result of poor joining during installation, or tears and holes that usually arise from old age or ducts running through trusses and joists. A system that keeps leaking air will keep running without meeting the cooling needs of your home.

Fortunately, an air conditioning professional in Edmonton can conduct inspections and fix such leaks. Installers sometimes use ducts that are too large or too small for the corresponding cooling system. Whatever the case, there is a negative impact on airflow.

Low airflow in an AC affects the compressor because it allows the liquid refrigerant to get to the component, which shortens its lifespan. Should any of these problems occur to you, don’t hesitate to seek help from a professional to avoid high energy costs and malfunctioning air conditioners.

Capital Plumbing & Heating Ltd.

With over 20+ years of industry experience, Capital Plumbing offers the best in the business if you need expert plumbing, heating, cooling, or HVAC services in Edmonton that you can trust for the long term.