Leaks can occur in the ducts of an air conditioner. However, because these are hidden in the room or basement, they are challenging to inspect. There may be leaks, and you are entirely unaware of them. Repairing leaking ducts is the easy part – how do you know there are leaks? Here are some commons signs you can look out for.
The aircon isn’t keeping you comfortable
You had an air conditioner installed to keep your house cool on hot days. So it's frustrating as a homeowner when you feel the system is running, but the temperature never reaches a comfortable level. Your aircon surely should be able to make your hot home more comfortable than it is within an hour or two, right?
If you’re not getting the relief from the heat you want, even when the aircon's been pumping for hours, it's a sign that something's not right with it. One possibility is that there is an issue with the air ducts connected to your ducted air conditioning system. When these ducts have leaks, the entire system's seal is essentially broken, and you're going to lose cold air.
When this occurs, the air conditioning system will not be able to cool your home or warm it, with ease. You'll should call in an air conditioning technician to investigate possible leaks and repair them.
Individual rooms never get cool enough
If you find that there are particular rooms in your home that never seem to cool off or others that are ice-cold compared to the others, you need to investigate the cause. Ideally, your A/C system should distribute cold air evenly throughout the home to cool it. Each room in your home should get cooler at a similar rate.
When rooms cool unevenly, it's a sign that there could be leaks in the air ducts. The holes or gaps prevent sufficient cool air from reaching the rooms in different parts of your home. If the rooms on the second floor are warmer, don’t be concerned as they will always be slightly warmer on the floor below.
Your energy bills are higher
There are peak times you will use your HVAC system, and it's accepted that you will see an increase in energy usage in those months. However, if the bills suddenly skyrocket, it's worth investigating if your ducted aircon is behind it. When air ducts are leaking air, the aircon is forced to run for more extended periods to cool your home off.
Your house is getting dusty
Every home accumulates dust, but if you're noticing your surfaces are getting extra grimy, something could be up with your air ducts. Leaky air ducts can make a home dustier than usual because they allow dust to enter ductwork and travel throughout a home.
Your air conditioner keeps breaking down
As A/C system ages, more regular repairs will be needed. However, if your unit is only a few years old and you're calling technicians in all the time, it could be a sign you have leaking air ducts. Find the leaky air duct, and you'll soon discover that you no longer have to call out a team for repairs as regularly.
When your system is aging
Air ducts aren't designed to last forever, and experts estimate they should be replaced every 15 years. By ensuring your air ducts are correctly maintained as part of your annual air condition service for your ducted air-con, you'll extend their life expectancy. The technicians will inspect, repair, and clean the air ducts during maintenance. Ignore them at your peril. Air ducts that are leaking and damaged could lead to further damage to the A/C compressor and other parts.
Know your ducts
There are multiple types of ducts in use in the aircon business. Here are a few:
Flexible ductwork
Made of a wire coil.
Covered with a bendable, plastic, surrounded by insulation.
Tube shaped.
Used for best tricky spaces where rigid ducts can’t be installed.
Need to be secured correctly so there are no kinks or other issue that reduce airflow.
Rigid ductwork
Can be cylindrical or rectangular.
They are often insulated.
Hardy, enduring, and reliable.
Sheet metal ducts
Usually galvanized steel and aluminum.
Light and easy to install.
Have non-porous surfaces.
Fiberboard ducts
Made from fiberglass strands compressed and bonded with a resin
Covered with a sheet of foil laminate
Suitable for cooling and heating systems because well insulated.
It is not recommended for ventilation in humid climates because of mold and mildew buildup.
When installing an air conditioning system, ask your contractor which is the best type of duct to use for your home or property. They will also recommend a maintenance program that will keep the ductwork in good condition and free of leaks.
