[fullwidth background_color=”” background_image=”” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding_top=”20″ padding_bottom=”20″ padding_left=”” padding_right=”” hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” menu_anchor=”” class=”” id=””][title size=”2″ content_align=”left” style_type=”none” sep_color=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=”” id=””]

A Ductwork Inspection Finds Leakage, Blockage & Air-Flow problems

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How Is Ductwork Tested For Leaks?

The U.S Department of Energy (DOE) states “Basic research from DOE uncovered that 30-40% of the air moving through ducts is lost due to leaks in the ductwork. * You could lower your cooling and heating bills by 1/3 or more by having your ductwork tested for leaks, and having it sealed if needed.

* Source: http://www.achrnews.com/articles/124595-doe-leaky-ducts-are-top-energy-waster

The Older A Home Is, The More Likely Its Ductwork Is Leaking

Years ago, many ductwork systems were not sealed at all. For many of those that were sealed, duct-tape was used. Duct-tape fails quite rapidly in the high temperatures DFW attics reach. In as little as a few months, duct-tape is no longer sticking.
gaps in ductwork ductwork sealed with duct tape ductwork -- damaged 1 hanger compressing ductwork

Examples of Loose & Leaking Ductwork Plus Compressed Flexible Ductwork (blocking air flow)

Today, Ductwork Is Sealed With Mastic.

As with all products, over time improvement are made which sometimes makes the previous products obsolete. This has occurred with ductwork-sealing products, with the advent of Mastic.

Mastic is a gooey, non-hardening material, with a consistency between mayonnaise and peanut butter. It is applied before ductwork joints are coupled, then again on top of the coupled area.

ductwork sealed with mastic

Al’s Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning performs Static Air-Pressure Testing and make repairs (if required) to ensure your HVAC system has the correct air-flow, and no heated or cooled air ends up in your attic.

Here’s How a Static Air-Pressure Test Works:

Static Pressure is the resistance air encounters while traveling throughout a building’s HVAC system.

We measure the air-pressure coming into your HVAC System (from air-returns).
We measure the air-pressure coming out to the air-supply ducts.
We add those two numbers to get the Total static air-pressure.

Example:
The Air-Supply static pressure reading is (+) .26″
The Air-Return static pressure reading is (-) .21”
The total system static pressure is .47” (.26” + .21” = .47” )

If The Static Pressure Is Too LOW, it’s evidence the ductwork is leaking air somewhere. As mentioned at the top of this page, the U.S. Dept. Of Energy (DOE) states that up to 40% of the cooled / heated air ends up in the attic on homes which have not had the ductwork sealed properly, or not sealed at all. It’s possible you could reduce your cooling and heating bills by up to 1/3 or more by the single repair of sealing ductwork.

If The Static Pressure Is Too HIGH, it’s evidence of problems causing too little air-flow. This may be blockage in ducts, closed dampers, or kinked flex duct. The problem can also be from restrictive high MERV Rating air filters.

The higher the MERV rating of a filter, the more it cleans the air — AND the more is restricts air-flow.

static air pressure test MERV ratings on air filters

This diagram shows how Higher MERV Rated Filters Clean More From The Air

NOTE: The higher the MERV Rating of an air-filter, the more often it must be changed. Because the pores (air passes through) are smaller, they clog faster.

Air filters should be checked and changed (if necessary) one time each month. If the filter looks dirty, it is, and it needs changed. For high MERV Rated filters, they should be changed each month, even if they don’t look dirty.

dirty and clean furnace air filter

Here is a YouTube Video which explains in more detail about Static Air-Pressure: Static Air Pressure Testing Video

Al’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning performs ductwork inspections and repairs. We are a Full-Service Plumbing and HVAC Systems company providing maintenance, repairs, and replacements of any plumbing or HVAC component. We perform repairs on all brands of Air Conditioners, Heat Pumps, and Furnaces (including Trane and American Standard).

Call Al’s today to discuss a Ductwork Inspection and repairs, if required.[/fusion_text][fusion_text]

What Does The Static Air-Pressure Test Tell You?

Static pressure is the measure of the airflow resistance in the duct system that the fan has to work against. The higher the pressure, the harder the fan works resulting in shorter life and reduced airflow to rooms.[/fusion_text][fusion_text]

How An Air-Pressure Test Works:

Al’s Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning takes two pressure readings:

The air pressure entering the system
The air pressure leaving the system.
We add the two pressures together for the total pressure.

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Results:

If the Static Air Pressure reading is Too LOW (less air leaving than entering) — there is likely ductwork leakage.
If the Static Air-Pressure reading to Too High (more air entering than leaving) — there is air-flow blockage somewhere.

The goal is simple: the total amount of air coming out of all the rooms’ ducts should be close to the total amount of air going into the return-air vents. If there is less air coming out, it’s leaking from the ductwork, or the ductwork needs repairs or retrofits.

Al’s provides Full-Service HVAC System Maintenance, Repair and Replacement Services on all brands of Air Conditioners, Furnaces and Heat Pumps (including Trane and American Standard). We perform every service needed to keep your heating and air conditioning system running at its best.

We sell and install American Standard, Coleman and Ameristar — Air Conditioner unit, Furnace and Heat Pump.

Our HVAC Technicians are NATE (North American Technician Excellence) Certified. They are trained and experienced in providing maintenance and repair of your HVAC System + Installation of new HVAC systems.

Al’s offers Full-Service plumbing. This includes; clogged toilet repair, water heater repair, water heater replacement for both tankless and tank water heaters, sewer line replacement (under slab or in lawn), trenchless sewer line replacement (in lawn only), slab leak repair, burst pipe repair, repiping, leak detection, water filtration system installation and sales, gas line repair, and gas line installation.

Contact Al’s today to discuss any problem you have with your Plumbing or HVAC System. We offer appointments at your convenience & are also your Emergency Plumber resource, with 24/7 Emergency Service. All our Plumbers are licensed and experienced in diagnosing and repairing your residential plumbing.[/fusion_text][one_third last=”no” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][imageframe lightbox=”no” gallery_id=”” lightbox_image=”” style_type=”none” hover_type=”none” bordercolor=”” bordersize=”0px” borderradius=”0″ stylecolor=”” align=”center” link=”” linktarget=”_self” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” hide_on_mobile=”no” class=”” id=””] [/imageframe][fusion_text]

Gaps in Ductwork

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Bad Duct End

[/fusion_text][/one_third][one_third last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][imageframe lightbox=”no” gallery_id=”” lightbox_image=”” style_type=”none” hover_type=”none” bordercolor=”” bordersize=”0px” borderradius=”0″ stylecolor=”” align=”center” link=”” linktarget=”_self” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” hide_on_mobile=”no” class=”” id=””] [/imageframe][fusion_text]

Compressing Ductwork

Ductwork not Attached

Hanger Compressing Ductwork

[/fusion_text][/one_third][fusion_text]Al’s Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning can perform static air pressure testing and make changes (if required) to ensure your HVAC system has the maximum air-flow possible, and that no heated or cooled air ends up in your attic. You will see the difference the repairs make in utility bills, comfort level, and system lifespan. Call Al’s today for a static-pressure test.[/fusion_text][tagline_box backgroundcolor=”” shadow=”no” shadowopacity=”0.7″ border=”1px” bordercolor=”” highlightposition=”top” content_alignment=”left” link=”https://www.alsplumbing.com/contact-us/” linktarget=”_self” modal=”” button_size=”” button_shape=”” button_type=”” buttoncolor=”” button=”Contact Us” title=”Call Al’s Today For Ductwork Pressure Testing!” description=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”20px” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””]For ductwork pressure testing and repair (if necessary), give us a call at 972-225-5257 or contact us online.[/tagline_box][fusion_widget_area name=”avada-custom-sidebar-whychooseus” background_color=”” padding=”” class=”” id=””][/fusion_widget_area][/fullwidth]

Ductwork Inspection & Testing