If your home has a centralized forced-air system for cooling and heating, then you’re probably aware that leaks of any kind can be a potentially damaging and costly problem. There are plenty of HVAC guides out there that will explain exactly why leaks are bad. That’s why we’ll discuss the common areas where leaks are frequently found, how to spot them, and finally, what experts recommend you could do about them.
The Thermal Envelope
When planning out an HVAC installation, most contractors will examine the thermal envelope of your home. Your home is separated thermally from the outdoors by a combination of seals and padding, and this insulation is its thermal envelope. By default, installers will place your air conditioning within this thermal envelope as much as they could to make sure that all heating and cooling are not lost to the surrounding environment. However, this is not a guarantee that your home is free from potential leakage.
High-Pressure Areas
The air handler houses your HVAC system’s blower, which ensures full circulation throughout the ducts and vents in your home. The closer you get to the air handler, the higher the air pressure becomes. This high pressure can tear away at the seams, connecting the ducts to the air handler, making it a prime spot for leaks to occur. Regular inspection and maintenance are needed to ensure that leaks in this area are properly sealed and repaired.
If you’ve seen your unit before it’s installed, you may have noticed holes, knockouts, and other slots meant for connecting pipes and wires. It’s common for any installation to not use all of these slots but they must be sealed thoroughly to ensure they do not become sources of leaks. Ask your contractor about unused piping slots and how they can be properly protected.
Detecting HVAC Leaks
HVAC professionals use a variety of methods to diagnose potential leaks and address them adequately, but you can also do this by employing a small amount of vigilance. Do you notice temperature changes even without adjusting the thermostat? Are there hissing noises coming from either your vents or the system itself? By learning about the common symptoms of leaks, you can nip the problem right in the bud and be more assured about the performance of your air conditioner.
Give Us a Call to Learn More
With over 50 years of experience, you can trust Anderson Air Corps with any HVAC-related maintenance, repair, or replacement needs you might have. Call us today at (505) 855-9028 to get a free estimate. We serve Albuquerque, NM and all nearby areas.
