A majority of energy losses in heating or cooling ducts can be traced to air losses in the equipment. To stop these losses, the air leaks must be found and repaired. Although finding air leaks can be time-consuming, certain practices will speed up the process and make it more accurate. The houston air conditioning repair helps stopping air leaks in the air conditioning system. Practices like the use of a blower door test or a duct leakage detector can help you accomplish detection and repairing of air leaks in your client’s system.
Great tips
Tools and materials needed for air leaks repairs
- Battery-operated drill gun
- Ladder
- Flashlight
- Sheet metal screws
- Duct zip ties
- Tape mastic
- Duct mastic and brush
Where air leaks occur
Air leaks in air conditioners can be felt, seen and heard. The common places to find them are at the ill-fitting cover
panels or those with missing screws, where air conditioning pipes enter the house, the entrance of the attached air-filter insertion point, and plenum and return air connectors. The following checklist can be of help in identifying and repairing these energy wasters:
- Ensure all panels and connections are secured with screws and that all panels are in place.
- Straighten bent panels and repair their seals.
- Stop all leaks with liquid or tape mastic.
- Ensure that the interior insulation is in its place and tightly secured to the metal walls and panels.
Repairing simple leaks in air ducts
- Ensure all the metal fittings are firmly screwed together on four sides, then covered with liquid or tape mastic, and fully re-insulated.
- Ensure the s-cleat and drive connections on the duct work are sealed with duct sealer mastic.
- Secure the inner lining of to the metal boot firmly with duct zip ties, then secure the insulation and outer wrap.
- Cover all connections of accessories with liquid or taped mastic.
Repairing air returns
Though hard to locate because a negative pressure ‘s hard to see or hear, they can still be found. Finding and repairing such leaks requires close inspection. With all connections secured, verify that all seams are tight and covered with mastic and that there are no leaks between the return grille facing and the space between the wall studs or ceiling joists.
Air conditioning facilities
It is unfortunate that many air conditioning facilities have air leaks all over them because of poor manufacturing practices. Nevertheless, they can still be repaired through sealing with permagum, or silicone for a more permanent seal.
A Periodic check of your client’s air conditioning system will help discover new problems before they start having an impact on energy bills. Inspections and repairs are a sound investment for comfortable and efficient energy use.
