A central Air Conditioner can produce cold air, but that air still has to travel through the ductwork before it reaches each room. If a duct is crushed, sharply bent, loose, or leaking, part of the Cooling may be lost inside the attic.
This recent Fast Affordable Air project focused on the indoor Rheem HVAC equipment and the insulated ducts connected to it. The technician inspected the attic system, checked the duct routing and supports, reviewed the equipment connections, and measured the temperature of the air coming from a ceiling register.
Fast Affordable Air is a licensed HVAC contractor serving Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, and surrounding Clark County communities. More information about similar work is available on the company’s Air Conditioning repair page.
Inspecting the Flexible Ductwork
The first four pictures show several large insulated ducts running through a tight attic space. These are called flex ducts. A flex duct is a bendable air tube covered with insulation and a protective outer jacket. It carries cooled or heated air from the central HVAC system to the rooms inside the home.
The technician inspected the areas where the ducts passed under wooden framing and around other branches. Tight bends deserve special attention because a duct that is squeezed too sharply may restrict airflow. It is similar to bending a garden hose. Water has a harder time passing through the hose when the bend becomes too tight.
The outer silver covering was also reviewed for tears, loose seams, crushed sections, and gaps around the connections. The covering helps protect the insulation surrounding the duct. That insulation slows down heat from the attic before it can warm the cold air traveling inside.
Metal support straps can be seen holding portions of the ductwork above the attic floor. These supports help keep the ducts from resting on insulation or forming deep sags. A sag is a low hanging section that can reduce airflow and place stress on a duct connection.
Checking the Rheem Indoor HVAC Equipment
Pictures five and six show the Rheem indoor Heating and Cooling equipment. This cabinet is an important part of the central AC system. It works with the outdoor Air Conditioner and moves conditioned air into the home’s duct network.
The service area around the equipment was checked so the technician could review the cabinet, refrigerant tubing, drain piping, electrical wiring, venting, and nearby duct connections. Keeping these parts accessible makes it easier to inspect and service the system safely.
The Rheem equipment uses removable service panels. These panels allow a trained technician to reach internal parts without taking apart the entire system. Proper installation and regular service are still important because even good equipment cannot provide even Cooling when the attached ducts are restricted or leaking.
Reviewing the Main Supply Connections
Pictures seven through nine show the larger ducts connected near the indoor equipment. These connections distribute air into different parts of the home.
The technician looked for loose collars, damaged insulation, blocked sections, and sharp bends near the equipment. A duct collar is the round metal fitting that joins a flexible duct to a box or another section of the system.
Connections near the indoor unit are important because a leak in this area can affect several rooms at once. Instead of all the cold air reaching the living space, some of it may spill into the hot attic. The Air Conditioner may then run longer while the rooms remain uncomfortable.
Well-supported and properly sealed ducts can help provide:
- Stronger airflow from ceiling and wall registers
- More even temperatures between rooms
- Less cooled air escaping into the attic
- Lower strain on the central Air Conditioning equipment
- Better use of the energy consumed by the system
ENERGY STAR explains that sealing and insulating Heating and Cooling ducts can improve system efficiency by as much as 20 percent in some homes. The exact savings depend on the condition of the ductwork, the equipment, the house, and how the system is used.
Testing the Air at the Ceiling Register
The final picture shows a temperature tool aimed at a ceiling supply register. A supply register is the vent that delivers cooled air into a room.
The tool displayed approximately 51.9 degrees Fahrenheit. This spot reading shows that cold air was reaching the register during the test. It is an encouraging result after inspecting the attic system and its airflow path.
A register reading by itself does not tell the whole story. An HVAC technician may also compare the supply temperature with the temperature of the air entering the system. This difference is commonly called the temperature split. The technician may also check airflow, refrigerant operation, filter condition, blower performance, and outdoor conditions.
This project included a visual review of the attic duct routes, duct supports, insulated connections, Rheem indoor equipment, drain and refrigerant lines, and the final delivery temperature at the ceiling register. Information about preventing future Cooling problems is available on Fast Affordable Air’s AC maintenance page.
Project Summary
- Insulated attic flex ducts were visually inspected.
- Duct bends, supports, outer jackets, and connection points were reviewed.
- The Rheem indoor HVAC cabinet and nearby components were checked.
- The main supply ducts near the equipment were examined for airflow concerns.
- Cold air delivery was verified at a ceiling register at approximately 51.9°F.
