According to national studies, almost half of our utility bills in the summer can be attributed to our air conditioning system.
Cool, clean air is a must-have when Utah summers reach well over 100 degrees daily. But attentive home and business owners know that these systems are not cheap to operate. Fortunately, our air conditioning techs at Utah HVAC are here to help you save money by reducing waste. On average, 20-30 percent of conditioned air is lost through the ductwork through leaks.
Air can leak through cracked ductwork, loose fittings and joints, and unseen damage to the air ducts. Below are some ways to identify a possible air leak and what can be done to remedy the situation.
How to check your HVAC system for air leaks
When it comes to heating and cooling issues, they are best diagnosed and repaired by a professional. However, we encourage you to do a preliminary test at home to understand the potential problems.
- Visually inspect your ducts. This is important if you are new to your home have not familiarized yourself with areas like your basement and attic. Keep a sharp eye out for connections that look loose, cracks or dents, duct tape, or any other place where wear and tear have taken place.
- Use smoke from your bare hands to help locate leaks. If you are comfortable doing so, you can use a lite incense to watch how the smoke moves. You can use the incense of your bare hands to see if leaking air either changes the direction of the smoke or blows against your skin.
What else can be wasting energy?
Even if you suspect your HVAC system is free from air leaks, it doesn’t mean that energy isn’t wasted. Dirty air ducts can also block and restrict air from adequately flowing throughout your home. There are countless ways your central air system has to work too hard to keep your home cool. For example, having uninsulated ductwork can reduce the efficiency of your system. Attics are not commonly finished and insulated.
As such, they are on average 30 degrees above the rest of your home. Protect your chilled air from radiant and environmental heating by having insulated ducts installed by a professional.
Remember, uneven cooling, high energy bills, and a lack of airflow are all warning signs. If you think something might be wrong, contact Utah HVAC today. Our technicians are here to help diagnose issues and provide effective solutions.
