Don’t Cool Your Attic
Have you ever gone up in your attic to store something and found that the temperature was almost pleasant? If you have ever experienced this refreshing surprise, you may have a problem. Attics in New Orleans are simple not suppose to be cool….they are suppose to be really hot. Many studies have shown energy loss from leaking HVAC systems can cost homeowners from 25 to 30 percent. Don’t Cool Your Attic! If your attic has a moderate temperature during the summer, there are a variety of problems that may be happening but most of the time it boils down to two issues: Duct or Equipment Air Leaks.
You may a leak in your duct work.
Duct work is used in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) to deliver and remove air from your AC Unit. If you have a leak in the HVAC ducts, it allows air conditioner to escape, wasting energy and raising heating and cooling costs. There are a variety of ways to try to fix this problem. The most important step is the locate all of the leaks. To do this, start by turning on the HVAC fan and feel along the ducts for drafts of the escaping air. Once you have identified all of the leaks, turn off the fan and apply a special metallic foil tape made specifically for repairing ducts over the holes or gaps. Do not use standard duct tape because the adhesive in this type of tape will come loose over time and you will have to do it all over again. You can also apply duct mastic with a brush over the tape and joints to improve the seal further. Whenever you are in a hot attic, be very careful not to overheat.
You may have Equipment Air Leaks
You may also have an HVAC air handler leak. One of the most common places to have an HVAC leak is in ill-fitting cover panels or those with missing screws. Check where the air-conditioning pipes enter the housing, check the entrance of the attached air-filter insertion point, and check plenum and return-air connectors. Air leaks may also occur if whole-home air filters have not been installed properly.
