Designing Heating and Cooling Systems in Large Buildings
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Designing Heating and Cooling Systems in Large Buildings

Have you ever wondered what goes into a heating or air conditioning system for a large office building or another large building like a mall or a school? My name is Evelyn, and I am an HVAC architect. I design heating and air conditioning systems for large, corporate buildings. Making sure that a large building with many rooms or offices is efficiently heated and cooled is a very large job and is much more complicated than simply heating or cooling a home. This blog will educate the reader on how heating and cooling jobs this large are designed and completed.

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Designing Heating and Cooling Systems in Large Buildings

Common Signs Of An Air Conditioning Air Duct Leak

Nicole Jacobs

It is not uncommon for homeowners to not pay attention to their air conditioning's air ducts. Air ducts are typically hidden behind walls, in the ceiling, or under the floor, so it is easy to forget about them. However, air ducts can develop problems that require repair. One of the most common issues with a home's air conditioning air ducts is leaks. If an air duct develops a crack or hole, the air produced by the air conditioner condenser unit will seep or flow out, depending on the size of the leak. Thus, it is important to know the signs of an air conditioning air duct leak so you can contact an HVAC professional promptly to make repairs. Some of the top signs that your home's air conditioning air ducts may have a leak include the following.

Abnormally High Energy Bills

During the summer months, people typically expect higher energy bills since they are running their air conditioner regularly to keep a house cool. However, a distinct spike in your energy bill during the summer could indicate an air duct leak. When an air duct has a leak, a lot of cold air can flow out of the duct to the outdoors. Thus, the air conditioner has to work harder and run longer in order to cool the home to the appropriate temperature. Any time you have an unexplained increase in your summer energy bill, it is a good idea to have your air conditioning system, including the air ducts, inspected.

One or More Rooms Do Not Cool Down

Most homes have many air ducts that direct cold air to different rooms and areas of a house. When the air conditioning system and the air ducts are in good repair, all areas of a house should cool down at a similar rate. If most areas of your home are cool and comfortable but all of a sudden there are one or more rooms that feel much warmer and are very hard to cool down, it may be due to an air duct leak. When the air duct connected to a room develops a leak, it will not be able to force as much cold air into a room, resulting in rooms that may feel warm.

Excessive Dust from Air Vents

When an air duct develops a leak, it's not just cold air that flows out-- outside air can flow in. When this happens, excess dust from outside air can build up inside the air ducts. Thus, pay attention to your air vents and the air quality in your home-- if dusty air is flowing out of one or more air vents, it is often a sign that there is an air duct leak that needs to be repaired. 

For more information, contact a local HVAC company that offers AC system repairs.


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