Finding Duct Leaks

End-Of Summer Repairs For Your Home's Reverse Cycle Air Conditioner

A reverse cycle air conditioner operates all year to cool and warm your home. Therefore, the end of summer doesn't mean you won't need to use the system. As the colder season sets in, your AC uses the reverse refrigeration cycle to warm up the home. Therefore, you need to keep the unit in working condition for the coming seasons. With this in mind, here are four end-of-summer repairs to handle.

Worn Ductwork

After heavy use throughout the summer, your ductwork may have taken a beating. Residential ductwork is usually made of bendable plastic. These ducts aren't as durable as metal ones. Therefore, they can suffer wear and tear after prolonged use. When punctures and tears occur, or the joints come loose, the ducts may fail to deliver air to the rooms. This problem can lead to airflow issues in the home. Repair the worn ducts to fix airflow issues and eliminate air leaks.

Clogged or Worn Zoning Components

Does your home have a zoned cooling system? Zoning allows you to regulate temperatures in the various zones around the house. However, this can prove difficult with worn or jammed zoning components. Some common problems include broken zoning dampers, clogged gates, and damaged wiring. All these issues can hinder airflow in some zones. They can also cause the AC to work harder to deliver air to the affected areas. Fix worn dampers and damaged wiring to improve the efficiency and reliability of your zoned air conditioner. 

Refrigerant Leaks

Refrigerant leaks occur due to corrosion of the copper tube walls of the condenser coil. Corrosion causes tears that allow refrigerant to leak out of the system. Sometimes leaks may occur because of weak joints and connections. Once leaks occur, the refrigerant levels in the system can fall below the recommended levels. As a result, there is less refrigerant to facilitate the cooling and warming processes. This can lead to an inefficient air conditioner. Besides recharging the refrigerant, you need to repair the condenser coils to prevent future leaks.

Failing Outdoor Fan

Your AC's outdoor unit has an outdoor fan, also known as the condenser or blower fan. The fan cools the condenser once it draws heat from the refrigerant. A failing fan can spell problems for the entire unit. Once it fails to cool the condenser, the condenser can overheat and suffer damage. A faulty condenser can shut down the entire system. Therefore, inspect the blower fan for any mechanical problems that may render it inefficient.

Repair your reverse cycle air conditioner to prepare it for late-season cooling and heating. Contact a company, such as Edelman Inc, for more information.


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