If you want to keep your ducted air conditioning unit running in those times of need, proper maintenance is non-negotiable. Small issues must be repaired as soon as they are noticed, and preventative maintenance should be as scheduled.
Ducted AC systems are powerful, and the bigger they are, the more demanding they become. Also, an expert is required to take care of any issues as they can be complicated.
Why You Need an Expert
Ducted air conditioners are big, and their design makes them complex. You do not want to gamble with the well-being of the unit, thus, you will require an expert to inspect and repair it.
Seek out a skilled HVAC company that specialise in ducted AC systems. The reason is, they have the needed experience and knowledge. They will identify the problem and fix it professionally.
They can provide additional services such as cleaning and preventative maintenance.
A ducted air conditioner needs to be handled with care. There are a lot of challenges and risks involved. The technician might handle fan blades and electrical parts.
Anything could happen and lead to serious injuries. An expert understands the risks involved, and they observe safety guidelines while at work.
With maintenance and repairs being crucial, what are the common problems, and how can they be prevented?
Damaged Ductwork
For your ducted air conditioning unit to operate optimally, the ductwork must be in good condition. It is what determines the level of comfort that you get in your home.
Rubber, bendable plastic, and metal are some of the materials that make up the ductwork. It depends on the system that you choose to install.
Every material has its pros and cons, but in most cases, you find that the commercial ones have the best. Depending on this, the ducts can get torn or be damaged totally.
For instance, aluminum ducts are not as durable as they may seem despite them being strong.
If there is damage, the unit will not function effectively as cool air will be escaping.
A HVAC technician will inspect the ductwork and decide whether replacement or patching up will be required.
Jammed Zoning Gates
If there will be a need to control airflow in specific rooms, zoning gates will be necessary. At times, the zoning gates can jam or get stuck, and the only solution is to have them fixed. Failure to this, utility bills could go up as areas you never wanted to be cooled will be included, causing inefficiency.
The first thing an HVAC technician does is inspect the ductwork and come up with a solution. The work involves replacing zoning gates, clearing hams, and sorting out faulty wiring. It might be time-consuming, but it will fix the problem.
Poor Indoor Air Quality
Poor indoor quality is a dangerous thing that should be prevented by all means necessary. What causes poor air quality? It is due to dirty ducts.
Perhaps there are gaps in the air ducts, pollen, and debris get into them. If this happens over a long time, they will become extremely dirty, which then jumbles up the air.
If there are people with respiratory issues or allergies, this will be a risk for them. Repairs should be done as soon as possible.
It is one of the reasons that preventative maintenance is necessary. A technician will identify an upcoming problem and fix it in good time.
Insulation Problems
There is a possibility that you are losing cooled air. Perhaps, you have realized that it is not cooling air like it used to, maybe in the entire house or some specific sections.
One reason is the compressor and the AC grilles are widely spaced. Air gets lost in the way, and it is worse in summer when heat is trapped in the ceiling and ends up warming the cooled air. The temperatures remain high.
To prevent this problem, ducting insulation is done. If this insulation has an issue, the system will not function optimally.
Decaying or loosening of the insulation causes the problem, and it can be fixed.
What Professionals Do to Prevent Common Issues
The only way that a ducted air conditioner can be reliable is through proper maintenance. If the most common issues are not prevented, then reliability will be just a dream.
The advantage of working with professional AC technicians is that they will prevent these issues.
They clean and change filters. One of the things they do is to clean and replace filters. When these components are blocked due to dirt, mold spores, or pollen, the system will not run efficiently. If they are damaged or old, they should be replaced.
They assess and adjust settings. The cooling settings could be set to an incorrect value. Most technicians will first check the settings if you complain the AC is blowing warm air. They ensure they have set it accordingly.
They inspect and repair duct leaks. Ducts could be loose or worn out. When this is the case, the unit will not run effectively. A technician will follow the ducts in basements, crawl spaces, and attics to check leaks.
They then repair them as required.
They perform tune-ups. Tune-ups are necessary when the AC is no longer energy efficient. Of course, you need to cut on utility bills, and tuning up the system is a great idea.
They will conduct tune-ups when necessary. Combining strict quality controls with specialized tools and robust training, a professional technician can deliver you lasting solutions. Click here for more information about the best air duct cleaning services.
Final Word
All air conditioners experience issues from time to time. The difference with ducted air conditioning systems is that some problems are unique to them.
Dirty ducts, poor insulation, jammed zoning gates, and poor indoor quality are just some of them. They need to be fixed as soon as possible, especially when summer is on the horizon.
Hiring an expert is the first thing to do. They will not only fix issues but also offer regular maintenance.
There are numerous things that a technician will do to make sure that future problems are prevented. Besides cleaning the filters, they assess settings and check on other components.
It is an excellent way to maintain the reliability of an air conditioner.
