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Air Conditioning Duct Leaks

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Air conditioning duct leaks can cost you money by forcing you to run your system longer to keep rooms at your desired temperature. But don’t worry! The experts here at Brothers Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric are always here to help you solve your leaky air duct problems.

The Signs of Air Conditioning Duct Leaks

The hardest part of resolving a leaky ductwork problem is simply knowing when you have one. There are several signs that point towards leaking air ducts that include:

  • 1 – Increased utility bills
  • 2 – Hot or cold spots (hard to cool rooms)
  • 3 – Visibly Damaged Ductwork

Sign 1 – Increased Utility Bills

Interestingly enough, the first sign of an air conditioning duct leak is most visible in your wallet. Suppose you have noticed your utility bills increasing each month and haven’t increased your use of energy-hungry appliances. In that case, an air conditioning duct leak may be the culprit. When ducts leak, your HVAC system works harder to deliver the air, hot or cold, to the desired location. This increase in workload increases the amount of energy that your HVAC system consumes, which in turn increases your utility bills. If you have noticed spiking energy bills at your home or business, then give the HVAC professionals here at Brothers a call right away.

Sign 2 – Hot or Cold Spots

The second sign of leaking ductwork is hot/cold spots in your home or business. When you notice that certain rooms/locations in your building are significantly harder to keep cool, then leaky ductwork may be the problem. The ductwork delivers climate-controlled air to the various supply vents in your building. If a section of that duct is leaking, then the supply air is not reaching its final destination, and you will notice hot and cold spots when running your system. Besides being a sign of leaking ductwork, hot and cold spots can also signify a poorly done air balance. Either way, if you have hot or cold spots in your building, then get in touch with the Brothers team of air conditioning experts as soon as you can.

Sign 3 – Visibly Damaged Ductwork

The third and most obvious sign of leaking ductwork is visibly damaged or collapsed ducting. If you have peaked your head into your attic or crawlspace lately and noticed collapsed or otherwise visibly damaged ductwork, then leaks are guaranteed. If you see damaged ductwork, then please contact the team of experts here at Brothers for service.

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How Does Your Air Conditioner Work?

air conditioning banner image featuring coolant measuring device
Almost everyone has an air conditioning system these days. However, most people that own an AC system have no idea how it functions. Moreover, knowing a little bit about how air conditioners work can help you know when to call in the HVAC professionals for service, repair, or replacement work. So, how does your air conditioner work? Let’s explore just how your home air conditioning system keeps you cool all summer.

The Air Conditioning Process

The air conditioning process is relatively simple. Air conditioners pull the heat out of the air to help cool a space. They do this in a two-cycle process. The two cycles of air conditioner functionality are:

  • Evaporation
  • Compression

The Evaporation Cycle in Modern Air Conditioning

The evaporation cycle in modern air conditioning systems is the cycle in which the actual cooling of the air takes place. To accomplish this, your air conditioner passes inside air through a coil filled with supercooled liquid refrigerant. The refrigerant pulls the heat from the air, and then fans distribute the air through your ductwork (or directly into your space if you have a ductless split air conditioning system). After cooling the air, your air conditioning system sends the now gaseous refrigerant to the compression side of the system.

The Compression Cycle in Modern Air Conditioning

The compression cycle is the second primary operation cycle in modern air conditioning systems. It works in almost the exact opposite way that the evaporation cycle does.

During this cycle, two things happen. The first thing that happens is that your system will pull outside air through what is known as the condensing coil. This coil contains the gaseous refrigerant from the evaporation cycle. When the outside air is pulled through the coil, the gaseous refrigerant’s heat is transferred to the air. This begins transforming the gaseous refrigerant back to its original liquid form.

However, the coil itself is not enough to fully compress the refrigerant. That is why modern air conditioning systems also use a device known as a compressor to finish the job of transforming the coolant back to a supercooled liquid. Then, once the compression cycle is complete, the refrigerant is transported back to the evaporator side of the machine to start the process all over again.

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Brothers Gives Back To Lisa’s Place

Lisa’s Place, a popular Thornton restaurant has had a tough year and now a tough week!  Their outdoor tent collapsed due to heavy snowfall and their propane-forced heater was stolen from the back of the business.  The restaurant business has had a tough year so when Brothers Plumbing, Heating and Electric heard about this misfortune we knew it was time to act!    We contacted the owner of Lisa’s Place and let her know we would like to help during this hard time.  As part of the March Brothers Gives back we donated money to Lisa’s Place so they can purchase a new tent and heater.  These vital pieces of equipment are a large part to their ability to survive during the pandemic.  This allows them to have more seating outside and keep the customers cozy during these colder months.

At Brothers Plumbing Heating & Electric, we believe in giving back to the community especially during times of need. Each month we give $1,000 to a local charity or nonprofit nominated by a team member or someone within the community.

To nominate a recipient for our monthly Brothers Gives Back visit:  https://www.brothersplumbing.com/brothers-gives-back/

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Spring Forward

It has definitely been a cold and snowy winter. However, there are sunny and beautiful days just around the corner. Spring is on the way, and one of the early indications that spring is coming is the start of Daylight Savings Time. With this thought in mind, it is time to “SPRING” into action.

Things To Remember (Besides Setting Your Clocks Forward)

Here are just a few things recommended to be done this upcoming weekend as you adjust your clocks for Daylight Savings Time (See our Hints, Tips, and Reminders for more information).

  • Check The Batteries in all CO (Carbon Monoxide) and Smoke Detectors,
  • Check your Sump Pump,
  • Reverse Your Ceiling Fans,
  • Schedule a Furnace Inspection,
  • Schedule a Water Heater Inspection,
  • Check Your Furnace Thermostat,
  • Check Your Outdoor Lighting Timer,
  • Replace Light Bulbs.

With the change of Daylight Savings Time, it seems we are forced to think of the one thing that we don’t seem to have enough of anymore, “TIME,” especially in the spring when we have one less hour to do get things done. So much to do and so little time to get it all done!

That is where we, at Brothers Plumbing, Heating, and Electric, can help. We respect your time by:

  • Being available when it matters most, 7 days a week, with NO overtime charges.
  • Scheduling in a 2-hour arrival window and calling before we come.
  • Arriving in a fully stocked truck ready to work.

We would be glad to take care of the few things you have on your list that you may not have the time for.

Call us today (303) 451-5057 or click here to schedule an appointment: schedule-an-appointment – “WE will always be there for YOU”!

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Improve Your Water Heater’s Energy Efficiency and Save Money!

Improve your water heater's energy efficiency and save money featured blog image

Learn how to improve your water heater’s efficiency and perhaps even lower your utility bills.

There are a few ways to help prolong your water heater’s life and keep it in top working order. Following these six tips each year may help you have a longer tank life expectancy, lower energy bills, and minimize damage due to water leakage.

1. Know where your water heater is located

Not only should you know where the water heater is, but you should also have clear access to it, as sometimes it’s tucked away in an attic or basement. The plumbing is not easy to reach.

2. Know what type of water heater you have

You should know whether your water heater is natural gas, electric, or propane, or whether it’s a storage tank type or a tankless type water heater. Please write down the model number and the serial number of your water heater or know where this information is on the tank. It has the age and gallon capacity coded into it.

3. Know how to turn off the water

It’s a good idea to know how to shut off the water and the fuel or power supply to the water heater before you’re facing a water heater dilemma. This is important in an emergency or if your water heater is leaking or you smell gas. There should be a gas valve or a disconnect switch within a few feet of the water heater. It’s also a good idea to know where your main gas shut-off valve is or which breaker is used for the water heater.

As for the water shut-off, most shut-off valves are located above the water heater on the cold side piping. It would help if you also located your water shut-off valve coming into your home. Suppose you need any special tools to turn any of the valves off or open the breaker box. Keep those nearby and in clear sight. This will make all the difference when you have water leaking all over or smell gas, and time is of the essence.

4. Clear the area around your water heater

There are several reasons why it’s a good idea to give your water heater some space.

  • A gas-fired unit needs a good supply of oxygen to burn the gas. If a water heater is smothered and can’t get enough oxygen, it can affect the efficiency of the unit as well as cause damage to the burner chamber and other water heater parts. It can even cause carbon monoxide leaks.
  • If the unit starts to leak, you may not catch it as soon if the area is hidden from view. This can cause severe water damage and even waste energy as the water heater has to reheat the water more often.
  • Storing items too close to the water heater can be a fire hazard.

5. Drain or flush your water heater

It is always a good idea to have a Brother’s plumbing professional drain and flush your water heater at least once a year. If we notice a lot of sediment or debris, then a full flush is recommended.

Nobody thinks that a hot water tank could be a safety concern in their homes. Still, we at Brothers Plumbing, Heating, & Electric know better. Our water heater repair service and water heater replacement service are your solution. We also recommend that once your water heater repair or water heater replacement is completed, your hot water should not exceed 125 degrees F. Exceeding this temperature poses a serious risk of burns, particularly to younger children.

Your water heater is a major energy consumer in your home. If your water heater is more than a few years old, you may consider replacing it with a new, energy-efficient model.

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