My air conditioner was only three years old when I had some complaints with it.
- I noticed that the cooling system was failing to manage the heat and the humidity.
Certain rooms were especially overheated and muggy. The air coming from the vents was almost tepid and had a musty smell. There was much more dust circulating in the air than normal, and I had concerns with indoor air quality. Whenever the air conditioner started up, my kids would sneeze and cough. I had problems with migraines and congestion. My husband complained of a sore throat. I blamed the air conditioner. I finally hired a local HVAC contractor to repair the air conditioner. When he inspected the various components of the cooling unit, he found no issues. He then tested the performance of the ductwork and discovered air loss by way of holes and cracks at the seams. He estimated that 25% of the conditioned air was leaking out. Because the maximum amount of air was failing to reach the intended destination, the air conditioner was required to work a lot harder and use more energy. This resulted in higher utility bills and inferior comfort. Those same flaws in the ductwork were also drawing in unfiltered outside air and causing the unpleasant smells and concentration of contaminants. He said that the accelerated wear and tear on components would eventually lead to an air conditioner malfunction. He recommended duct sealing. I wasn’t sure how it was possible to fix all of the little leaks because the pipes are largely concealed inside the walls and ceilings. However, there is a new method that involves pressurized air containing polymer particles getting blown into the ductwork. The supply and return registers are blocked off, sending the air out of the cracks and holes. The adhesive polymer particles stick to the edges, gradually buildup and form an airtight seal. The process was completed within a couple of hours and caused no mess or damage. This type of duct sealing is guaranteed for ten years