Before you replace your existing air conditioning equipment, take the time to get your home’s existing duct system inspected. A trained technician/air conditioning contractor can determine if the existing duct system will work with a new unit or whether you need to modify it. Some of the typical modifications include sealing or replacing existing ducts.
Even if you are not in the market to replace your existing air conditioning system, it is wise to get your duct system inspected every year or two. Consider the following facts regarding your home air conditioning system:
- Recent data shows that the average Florida home loses between 10 and 30% of conditioned air through leaks in the ductwork.
- Leaks in the ductwork also cause pressure in the duct system to be lower which can result in the system to have to work harder to get air flow to the most remote parts of your home. The results are rooms that are not effectively cooled or heated and utility bills that are higher than they need to be.
- Leaky ductwork is a serious defect that can increase your energy costs and reduce your long term satisfaction with your home.
It is essential that duct leaks are repaired with professional quality mesh tape and a professional sealant (also called duct mastic) that expands and contracts as the air flows within the system. Duct tape shouldn't be used to seal ducts. Over time, the conventional duct tape will dry, crack and eventually give way to more costly air leaks. Why throw away your family’s hard earned money on a product that is destined to fail?
Another practical consideration when deciding to have your duct system inspected, replaced, or repaired is simply the time of year that you choose to do so. Air conditioning contractors are more inclined to give you a better price to do this work if the work is done during the cooler winter months. Attics, where your typical home’s duct systems are contained, can reach over 140 degrees during the summer months. Given the small confined spaces a typical attic provides and this level of summer heat, it is infinitely preferable to the contractor and technician to do the work when it is cooler. That preference in working conditions and the fact that air conditioning business tends to slow down in the winter months means most contractors are more willing to negotiate a better price for you from November through February.
Ultimately, keep in mind that an annual inspection and repair of your duct system is well worth the energy cost savings and home comfort it produces for you and your family.
Call for a price quote to have a Climate Design Professional contrator install proper ductwork in your Orlando Florida home or office. 407-647-3785