Posts Tagged ‘heating and cooling systems’

Common Problems with Heating and Cooling Ducts

April 7, 2010  |  Energy Savings, Tips & Troubleshooting, heating and air  |  attics, conditioned air, crawl space, duct tape, flexible ducts, flexible ductwork, heating and cooling systems, hvac system, seal leaks, utility bills

Seal Your Heating and Cooling Ducts

Ducts are used to distribute conditioned air throughout houses with forced-air heating and cooling systems. In typical houses, about 20 percent of the air that moves through the duct system is lost due to leaks, holes, and poorly connected ducts. The result is an inefficient HVAC system, high utility bills, and difficulty keeping the house comfortable, no matter how the thermostat is set.

Common Duct Problems

  • A Leaky, torn, and disconnected ducts
  • B Poorly sealed registers and grills
  • C Leaks at furnace and filter slot
  • D Kinks in flexible ductwork restricting airflow

Common Duct Problems

Simple Steps to Improving Duct Performance

Because ducts are often concealed in walls, ceilings, attics, and basements,
repairing them can be difficult. But there are things that you can do to improve duct performance in your house.

Start by sealing leaks using mastic sealant or metal (foil) tape and insulating all the ducts that you can access such as those in the attic, crawl space, basement, or garage. Never use ‘duct tape,’ as it is not long-lasting.

Also make sure that the connections at vents and registers are well-sealed where they meet the floors, walls, and ceiling. These are common locations to find leaks and disconnected ductwork.

Working with a Contractor

Many homeowners choose to hire a professional contractor for duct improvement projects. Most heating and cooling contractors also repair ductwork. Look for a contractor who will:

  • Inspect the whole duct system, including the attic, basement, and crawl space (if you have these).
  • Repair or replace damaged, disconnected, or undersized ducts and straighten out flexible ducts that are tangled or crushed.
  • Evaluate the system’s supply and return air balance. Many systems have air return ducts that are too small.
  • Seal leaks and connections with mastic, metal tape, or an aerosol-based sealant.
  • Seal gaps behind registers and grills where the duct meets the floor, wall, or ceiling.
  • Insulate ducts in unconditioned areas with insulation that carries an R-value of 6 or higher.
  • Include a new filter as part of any duct system improvement.
  • Use diagnostic tools to evaluate air flow after repairs are completed.
  • Ensure there is no back drafting of gas or oil-burning appliances, and conduct a combustion safety test after ducts are sealed.

When should you have air ducts cleaned

January 21, 2010  |  air duct cleaning  |  air ducts, cooling system, heating and air, heating and cooling, heating and cooling systems, metal ducts, mold detection, mold growth, particles

You should consider having the air ducts in your business or home cleaned if:

  • There is substantial visible mold growth inside hard surface (e.g., sheet metal) ducts or on other components of your heating and cooling system.
  • There are several important points to understand concerning mold detection in heating and cooling systems:
    • Many sections of your heating and cooling system may not be accessible for a visible inspection, so call All Quality Heating and Air to test if mold exists.
    • You should be aware that although a substance may look like mold, a positive determination of whether it is mold or not can be made only by an expert and may require laboratory analysis for final confirmation.
    • If you have insulated air ducts and the insulation gets wet or moldy it cannot be effectively cleaned and should be removed and replaced.
  • If the conditions causing the mold growth in the first place are not corrected, mold growth will recur.
  • Ducts are clogged with excessive amounts of dust and debris and/or particles are actually released into the home from your supply registers.

If any of the conditions identified above exists, it usually suggests one or more underlying causes. Prior to any cleaning, retrofitting, or replacing of your ducts, the cause must be corrected or else the problem will likely recur.

Commercial Air Conditioning

January 21, 2010  |  Uncategorized  |  ac systems, central air conditioning, central air conditioning systems, heat pump, heating and cooling systems, ptac units, wall mounted air conditioners

Commercial Air Conditioning

All Quality Heating & Air is dedicated to the comfort needs of the commercial business areas in which we serve and we make adding more comfort and value to your business easier than ever. Enjoy the benefits of a cooler business with the latest, quiet and energy-efficient central air conditioning systems by installing a new unit or upgrading your existing system.

We service and maintain all types of commercial central air conditioning systems.

We’re here to help! Contact All Quality Heating & Air now for more information or to have one of our representatives schedule a visit to your home or business by one of our NATE Certified, highly trained technicians.

We install and service the following types of commercial systems:

  • Ductless Air Conditioners
  • Wall Mounted Air Conditioners
  • Ceiling Mounted Air Conditioners
  • Zone Controlled AC Systems

Packaged Terminal Air-Conditioner (PTAC)

A Packaged Terminal Air-Conditioner is a separate encased combination of both heating and cooling that is normally mounted through the wall. There are many manufacturers of PTAC units. As on of Atlanta’s top rated HVAC contractors, All Quality Heating & Air installs, services and repairs Packaged Terminal Air-Conditioners. Call us at 770-399-7838 or contact us for information on sales or service.