What happens to the cooling capacity of an air conditioning system due to return air leakage in a hot attic?

When considering the impact of return air leakage in a hot attic on the cooling capacity of an air conditioning system, it is important to understand the dynamics of air circulation and temperature. In this scenario, if there is leakage of return air, especially in a hot attic, warmer air from the attic can infiltrate the return air ducts. This means that the air being returned to the system for cooling purposes is not only warmer than the ideal return air temperature, but it is also reducing the overall efficiency of the air conditioning unit.

As the system attempts to cool this warmer return air, it must work harder to achieve the desired temperature. This excess workload can lead to a decrease in the system's effective cooling capacity because the air conditioning system is not only compensating for the heat gain from leakage but may also struggle to meet the cooling demands of the living space. Consequently, the cooling capacity of the air conditioning system is diminished, making it less effective in providing the desired temperature in the conditioned space.

Thus, return air leakage leads to a decrease in performance and efficiency, affirming that the cooling capacity of an air conditioning system decreases due to this leakage in a hot attic.