| Sooner or later you will replace your heating and | | | | secured flexible air ducts may leak and may work |
| cooling system. Furnace and heat pump air | | | | loose from the plenum. |
| handlers have a useful life of about twenty years. | | | | 6. Do not bend a flexible air duct so that it |
| Air conditioning condenser useful life varies | | | | reduces the diameter of the duct. An air duct is |
| between five and fifteen years. The condenser is | | | | like a garden hose. If you kink a garden hose, the |
| the outdoor unit. If you need to replace your | | | | water flow is reduced. If you kink a flexible air |
| heating and cooling system, here are some tips to | | | | duct, the air flow is reduced. Reduced air flow can |
| ensure that your system provides safe, energy | | | | cause the system to work longer to heat and |
| efficient, and green operation. These tips apply to | | | | cool your home. Reduced air flow can also cause |
| gas and electric forced-air systems. | | | | comfort problems in rooms. Improperly installed |
| | | | flexible ducts are a common problem. |
| 1. Comply with all local building codes and | | | | 7. Install an overflow pan or condensate cutoff |
| manufacturer's instructions when installing your | | | | switch under air handlers with evaporator coils |
| new equipment. You should obtain a building permit | | | | located in attics and anywhere else inside the |
| and have the new installation inspected, but this is | | | | home where leaking water could cause damage. |
| seldom done. A qualified and licensed contractor | | | | Extend a ¾ inch diameter pipe from this |
| should know and comply with local building codes | | | | pan to a visible location outdoors. If you see |
| and with manufacturer's instructions. | | | | water coming from this overflow pipe, there is a |
| 2. Install new equipment that has the highest | | | | problem. Call a qualified contractor to locate the |
| energy efficiency rating that you can afford. The | | | | problem. |
| energy savings from a high efficiency system will | | | | 8. Install a 3/4 inch diameter drain pipe from the |
| often save you more over the system's life than | | | | evaporator coil to the outside or to a plumbing |
| the additional cost. Higher efficiency systems | | | | drain. Slope the pipe down toward the discharge |
| qualify as green and add value to your home. | | | | point over its entire run. Insulate this pipe if you |
| They may also qualify for government and utility | | | | live in a warm and humid climate. Water that |
| rebates. | | | | flows in this pipe is cold and can cause |
| 3. Replace both the furnace or air handler and the | | | | condensation on the pipe's exterior. This |
| condenser, even if the furnace or air handler still | | | | condensation can damage materials and provide |
| works. An air conditioner condenser and | | | | moisture for mold. |
| evaporator coil (the inside and outside units) are | | | | 9. Replace the circuit breakers for the condenser |
| designed to work best as a system. You may | | | | and air handler if the recommended circuit breaker |
| not receive the full energy efficiency of the new | | | | rating for the new equipment is different from |
| condenser if it is connected to an old evaporator | | | | that of the old equipment. It is common that new |
| coil. An improperly matched condenser and | | | | equipment is more energy efficient than the old |
| evaporator coil may be highly inefficient and result | | | | equipment and needs less power to operate. More |
| in higher than necessary energy use. | | | | energy efficient equipment usually needs a circuit |
| 4. Use mastic to seal all joints. Do not use duct | | | | breaker with a smaller rating. |
| tape. You may use foil tape at joints, but mastic | | | | 10. Confirm that the air ducts are the proper size |
| is better. These joints include where: the | | | | to work with the new system if you are adding |
| evaporator coil connects to the air handler, the | | | | air conditioning to a home without air conditioning |
| supply plenum connects to the evaporator coil, | | | | or if you are changing from one type of system |
| the return plenum connects to the air handler, and | | | | to another. For example, air ducts sized for an old |
| the air ducts connect to the plenum. Supply and | | | | oil-fired furnace may not be properly sized for a |
| return plenums are rectangular metal boxes | | | | high efficiency gas-fired furnace. Improper air duct |
| where the ducts connect to the air handler. Joints | | | | sizes may affect system energy efficiency and |
| and ducts that leak air can significantly reduce the | | | | may cause comfort problems. |
| energy efficiency of your system and increase | | | | A new furnace or heat pump can provide many |
| operating costs. | | | | years of safe and energy efficient service when |
| 5. Connect flexible air ducts to the plenums using | | | | properly installed. By using these tips you can |
| both foil tape and plastic straps. Improperly | | | | ensure proper installation of your new system. |