Your air conditioner will do you no good if the ductwork is torn. The ductwork is what connects the air conditioner to the vents. Ductwork is a series of large flexible tubes that transport the cold air from the air conditioning unit into each room. The material from which the ducts are made can tear, and the ducts can also disconnect from the air conditioning unit or the vents. My Father’s Mechanical lists some signs below that indicate your air conditioner ductwork is having some problems.
Audible Indication
You may be able to hear an audible indication that one of your air conditioning ducts has a tear in it. If you hear excess airflow coming from above the ceiling, it’s likely that your ductwork needs some repair. This sound is easier to hear when the house is completely quiet, such as when the air conditioner is running at night. You may not be able to hear the excess airflow during the day when there is noise in the environment.
Airflow Loss
You can tell that there is a problem with the duct(s), however, if there is an airflow loss in one or more of your rooms. In other words, the air flowing through the vent in that room will be much less than the air flowing through the vents in the other rooms. At first, you may not notice a difference in the airflow but you will notice a difference in the room’s temperature. If you have a room that is hotter than the other rooms in the house, check the vent when the air conditioning is running to see if there is airflow coming into that room.
AC Working Too Hard
When some of the rooms are hotter because the ductwork has separated from the vents, your air conditioner will work much harder to keep your house cold. You may notice that the air conditioner runs more frequently and, unfortunately, you may also see how much harder your air conditioner worked when you receive your utility bill. Drastic changes in the air conditioning costs can indicate a problem with your air conditioner or the ductwork.
Visual Indication
Finally, if you climb up into your attic, you may be able to see the piece of ductwork that has a hole in it. You will also be able to hear the excess air flowing through it. If you see that you do have torn air conditioner ducting, call us right away so we can repair it.
We are My Father’s Mechanical in San Antonio, TX, and we’d be happy to inspect your air conditioning system and the ductwork if you suspect you have a problem.