Are you aware that when your heating and cooling ductwork is damaged or having issues you’ll end up paying hundreds of dollars more a year from wasted energy? If you’re seeing signs that something is off with your heating and cooling system, your ductwork may be the culprit.
It’s important to address the problem early on rather than waiting for the issue to get worse. Luckily there are solutions such as an upgrade or replacement that can help fix this problem. Here you will learn everything you need to know to decide if it is time to replace your home heating and cooling ductwork.
Why Does Good Heating and Cooling Ductwork Matter?
Because heating and cooling ductwork is the component in your HVAC system that distributes cold and hot air through your home, it’s important that it is in the best working order. The air ducts are designed to last about 10-15 years and are made of fiberglass and plastic. When a problem arises with your heating and cooling system, ductwork isn’t the first thing that’s looked at.
When your heating and cooling ductwork has problems your energy bill can spike. Low air pressure and increased energy use can be caused when your ductwork has poor connection or holes. This will strain your HVAC system and cause it to work harder to heat or cool your home.
When your heating and cooling ductwork is free from damage and problems you will notice that your HVAC system works better and will have a much longer lifespan. It also greatly improves the air quality in your home so you can rest assured that there are no toxic materials floating in your air.
How To Know It’s Time To Replace Your Air Ducts
There are some signs that you can notice that will let you know it’s time to replace your ductwork. Here are some of the tell-tale signs it’s time.
Abnormal Sounds Coming From Your HVAC System
Every heating and cooling system makes normal sounds when it’s operating. However, sounds that are not normal sounds such as vibrating or rattling are one way to tell your ductwork needs to be replaced. Rattling noises usually indicate that a joint in your ducts is damaged and loud noises coming from the ducts as air flows through is a typical sign of a hole.
Increased Energy Bills
When your system is working harder to heat or cool your home it uses more energy which will increase your energy bill. This is usually due to air escaping through ductwork before it reaches you.
Uneven Cooling or Heating
Damage or holes can cause the air to not circulate through the ducts properly. This will result in one room being hotter or colder than another room in the home. If you’re noticing that some parts of your home have a large temperature difference it may be because of faulty ductwork.
A Dusty Home
Holes and leaks will cause dust to enter your home through your vent system. When you realize that it’s difficult to rid your home of dust it may be because of a ductwork issue.
You Smell Mildew Or Mold
When temperatures fluctuate frequently mold or mildew can be created due to condensation and poorly connected and insulated ducts. The air ducts will then push the mildew or mold smell through your vents.
Pest Issues
Rodents and pests can enter your home through leaks and holes when your ductwork is damaged or old. Having a pest infestation can also cause blockages in your air ducts.
Seeing Debris Around The Vents
Seeing dirt and debris around your air vents is a clear sign that the air has become very dirty. Damaged ductwork can cause dust, pet hair, dirt, and lint to accumulate and build up around your vents.
Old Ductwork
Even though ductwork is designed to last many years it still becomes old at some point. Old ductwork is more susceptible to holes and leaks which will cause many future problems if not addressed.
How To Fix Your Ductwork
The above signs will let you know that it’s time to have a ductwork inspection. Sometimes the problem will be in just one or two areas, and you won’t need to replace the entire system.
If you want to fix your ductwork on your own there are some steps to take. First, you’ll need to inspect them. After you’ve determined where the problem areas are you’ll then clean them, seal the ducts, and finally insulate them. While you can take these steps on your own a professional can help identify any problems you can’t see.
The Adeedo team is experienced and reliable in replacing heating and cooling ductwork. Give us a call today for an inspection!
