If you’re like most people in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, you rely on central air conditioning to keep your home comfortable on ninety-degree summer days. Homeowners occasionally find that their A/C isn’t working correctly, with insufficient cooling or poor air flow causing their house to feel too warm to be comfortable. In many cases, these problems result from an electrical or mechanical problem with the unit itself, requiring professional air conditioning repair. However, problems with your air ducts can also cause issues that appear to be a malfunctioning air conditioner. If no problem is found with the A/C itself, HVAC professionals will usually check for problems with your ductwork. If you’re having issues with your A/C system, give us a call today at All Done HVAC for air conditioning repair in Franklin Lakes, NJ.
What Goes Wrong with Air Ducts
Unless you have a ductless mini-split A/C system, your air conditioner, along with your heating system, relies on a system of air ducts throughout your home. The ducts are made by manufacturers like M&M Manufacturing, Ductmate, and Ductsox. The ductwork, hidden in attics, walls, and ceilings, provides a conduit through which cold air can travel throughout the house. Over time, your duct system can develop problems like cracks that cause air leakage, blockage from dirt and dust, and other issues that interrupt the smooth flow of cool air. This will cause your home to feel warm and stuffy, despite the temperature setting on your thermostat. Some of the most common problems that our technicians find in people’s air duct systems include:
- Clogged or blocked ducts. The air traveling through your ductwork can contain dirt, dust, and other contaminants. Although most of this is removed by the air filters, some of it can still be deposited on the sides of the ducts. Over time, the dust and dirt can build up to the point of blocking normal air flow. It can also reduce the air quality inside your home, since bacteria and fungi growing in the debris can get into your air supply. Your ducts should be cleaned every year or two to prevent this.
- Air leakage. Ductworks can break and develop cracks, which allow cold air to escape. This weakens the air flow, as well as diluting cold air with hot air from outside the ducts. This can also allow dirt and dust from outside to enter your indoor air supply, potentially aggravating allergies or causing respiratory irritation.
- Poor insulation. Ductwork insulation helps keep the air inside cold in the summer and warm in the winter. Insufficient insulation can cause the air in the ducts to warm up or cool down.
- Shoddy installation. It’s important for ductwork to be installed correctly, but unfortunately, many houses and buildings in Franklin Lakes have ductwork that was poorly installed. Shoddy workmanship can make ducts more likely to develop cracks and broken seals, as well as causing them to droop or sag. It can be corrected by air conditioning repair professionals to increase the efficient cooling of your home.
If you’re cooling system isn’t working right, there’s a chance that it could be a problem with your air ducts, rather than a malfunctioning A/C. For professional air conditioning repair in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, give us a call today at All Done Company, at 201-458-0455.