For many decades, new home construction in Atlanta did not require return duct work in unconditioned spaces to be insulated. In some scenarios, this allows moister to form on metal ducts and allows excessive energy loss through the duct system. By current building codes, all new homes must have both supply and return ducts insulated. But, where does this leave existing home owners?
Professional HVAC duct inspection can help determine what you need. When a duct system is inspected, several things are looked for, condition of the ductwork itself, insulation condition, and cleanliness. If your ducts are falling apart, or leaking air around joints, condensation can happen.
Condensation forms when hot, humid air comes into contact with a cold surface. It’s easy to see when you have a glass of ice water on a hot, humid day. Your ductwork acts in a similar manner. When the ducts fill up with cold air produced from your air conditioning system, and hot, humid air in your attic or crawlspace hangs on the outside, droplets of water can form on your ductwork unless you take preventative measures.
These tiny droplets can promote mildew and biological growth along your drywall, in your insulation, and cause stains to bleed through your walls and ceilings over time. And if left unchecked, it can cause rot, collapse, and even structural problems to your home.
Ductwork condensation is prevented with special ductwork insulation. If you use quality ductwork insulation, it can also improve your overall HVAC efficiency. If you notice a problem, contact an HVAC contractor immediately to assess the insulation’s current condition and make changes accordingly. In some cases, the insulation will be adequate, with small gaps around vents and collars that need to be corrected. Another issue can be lack of attic insulation around the registers in the ceiling, allowing condensation to happen and staining around the grills.
If your ductwork insulation is in good condition, it could be excessive humidity exists within your home. Air conditioners are designed to dehumidify as they cool. But some issues can prevent this from occurring. If your air conditioner isn’t sized correctly and has too much power for your home’s size, it might not have the time it needs to properly dehumidify during the cooling cycle; this is called short cycling.
Excessive humidity can also linger if the coils in the air conditioning unit are frozen over. This makes the air conditioner struggle through its cycle, reducing its ability to draw moisture out of the air; this is usually found with undercharged systems due to refrigerant leaks.
In some cases, you may only have a condensation issue in areas prone to excessive humidity in the first place, such as in the laundry room or bathrooms.
Ductwork Service in Atlanta
Think you might have a problem? Call in an HVAC expert today to assess your situation and reduce the chances of risk and damage to your home.