(BPT) - Many homeowners are diligent about having their home's air conditioning system regularly inspected and serviced. After all, who wants to toss and turn on a sweltering night because the air conditioner stopped working? However, a home's cooling equipment is not the only residential HVAC component that benefits from regular inspection. The various parts of a home's heating and cooling system work together to support whole-home comfort and energy efficiency. Consequently, an HVAC maintenance call should not end with simply checking the equipment but should evaluate the whole system - including a home's attic.
Consider the whole system
Depending on location, some components of the HVAC system are more obvious than others. The condenser that conditions air as well as the registers that allow cooled/conditioned air to enter living spaces are typically visible. Issues that can compromise comfort - like a closed register - may be easy to spot and resolve with simple practices. For example, changing the air filter regularly, as directed by the manufacturer, can help support the cooling system's operating efficiency. Problems in more remote areas of a home's comfort system - like attic ductwork - can be more challenging to spot and resolve.
When attic ductwork is damaged, or an attic lacks sufficient insulation, comfort and energy efficiency issues can occur. Loose connections or holes in attic ductwork can allow particulates in the attic to be distributed throughout the home's interior and conditioned air can escape before it reaches the supply register. Some potential signs of problems with attic ductwork include:
- Excess dust in the living areas of the home
- Musty and unusual odors (think attic smell)
- Rooms that are consistently too hot or too cold
- Equipment that cycles on and off more frequently
- A spike in energy bills
Depending on conditions in the attic, insect or vermin debris, mold or simply a 'stale air' smell can potentially infiltrate into a home's living spaces. If moisture is present in the attic, conditions can allow for mold to grow, entering ductwork and 'polluting' indoor air.
Caring for air with a 'whole home' approach
As part of the HVAC system, attic ductwork should not be overlooked when it comes to protecting a home's indoor air quality. A whole-home approach to caring for a home's air considers how conditions in the attic (and other parts of the home - like crawl spaces and garages) can influence air throughout the home. Because ductwork is often located in the attic, this location provides an attractive opportunity to potentially improve comfort throughout the whole home and helps support energy efficiency. Adding an adequate amount of attic insulation and retrofitting attic ductwork are two steps to consider when taking a whole-home approach to air care.
Contractors designated as Owens Corning AirCare® Professionals are trained on the whole home approach and look to identify areas in a home's attic that may lead to problems with air throughout the home. AirCare® Professionals are equipped with tools to assess and evaluate conditions in the attic. For example, assuring an adequate insulation thickness can help support thermal efficiency in all seasons. AirCare® Professionals can recommend a level of insulation to help the homeowner increase energy efficiency.
In addition to measuring attic insulation, an Owens Corning AirCare® Professional can help ensure that ductwork in the attic is properly sealed and sized to help support comfort and energy efficiency. He or she will evaluate the system for loose connections and evaluate the ductwork to ensure components are properly sealed. Starting at the top - in the attic - can bring a whole-home approach to supporting an HVAC system. To find an AirCare® professional and potentially improve your home's overall comfort, visit the online locator at HVAC Contractor Locator | Insulation | Owens Corning.
