The duct work on your cooling system is one of the most important parts of the unit. Without this system of tubes there is no way to carry cold air from the main unit to the rooms in your home. If it’s blazing hot out you want to make sure you can keep cool, so knowing a few DIY air conditioner repair tips will come in handy. Properly operating ducts are essential to keeping your home cool and your energy bill down.
The Issue
In a typical home about 20% of the air moving through the duct system is lost. Since you are probably not trying to cool the areas the duct work runs through this is just lost cooling capacity.
This means you have to use more energy to cool your home, which means you pay more in energy bills. Checking your duct work is an air conditioner repair task you can easily perform. It requires no special tools or expertise.
There are several reasons you lose cold air through your ducts:
- Leaks
- Holes
- Poor connections
Fix Any Duct Issues
There are basic and specific steps you can take to troubleshoot and fix any issues you have with your duct work. When it comes to air conditioner repair these are things you can do without having to call a repair service.
- You will need only basic tools for the job. A flashlight, proper duct tape, screwdriver and some old rags will work just fine. Make sure you use the correct type of tape for the work. Regular "duct" tape will not do the trick. Use a heat-approved tape. The right tape can be found at many home improvement retailers.
- Check connections at the main air conditioner unit first. Check closely for those leaks, holes and poor connections. Tap lightly just above the connections. A hollow sound means the duct is clear. A "thud" sound means it probably has dust in it and needs to be taken off and cleaned.
- Go up and down the duct work checking for anything that might be amiss. Insulation should not be missing or torn. Take steps to fix the issue. Look for damp spots. Wet spots may indicate a blockage. This may require some professional help. If there are loose connections where the duct work joins other pieces of duct work or register and vents make sure the joints fit tightly. Use the tape to make sure these areas stay sealed.
- When doing your air conditioner repair pay close attention to any corners and bends in the duct work. Check these areas for leaks, holes and bad connections. You may need to undo some connections and fix them to make sure the joints are tight.
- If you have to tape any areas make sure you tape the joint tightly to make the seal as airtight as possible. Many areas may be hard to access and it may be hard to work easily.
In some cases you may not be able to make the proper repairs. Your ducts may be too dirty and need to be cleaned. It may be necessary to install new vents or registers. At this point it is best to call on a professional air conditioner repair service in Chico. Don't hesitate to call on these experts if you feel the job is too big for you.
Occasionally checking your duct work is a wise thing to do to make sure no cold air is escaping your cooling system. If you are losing air you are just throwing money away. The repairs are fairly simple to do and they might pay big dividends in energy savings. Examine your ducts and fix any issues you may have. It's easy air conditioner repair and worthwhile.
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