The ductwork inside your HVAC system is just as important as the HVAC unit itself. Clearly stated, your HVAC system is like the heart, and the ducts are like the blood arteries that bring blood into and out of the heart.
You might be shocked to hear that your HVAC system loses up to 20 to 30% of the air because of poor installation, gaps, and leaks. This may result in excessive energy costs, inefficient air flow, poor indoor air quality, and decreased performance.
Here are some typical warning indicators that might indicate the need for ducting replacement or repair.
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1. Whistle Noises
When dirt or damage to your air ducts, your HVAC system makes whistling noises. When your HVAC unit tries to move a massive amount of air through congested ducts, it makes noises like rattling or whistling.
The high-pitched noise can also be caused by improperly built ductwork, which can cause pressure to build up in the passageway and make it more difficult for air to travel through. If left unchecked, poor airflow may harm your HVAC system and increase your energy costs.
2. Hot and Cold Spots
If you experience abrupt temperature fluctuations as you travel around the house, your ducts may be leaking, or they may not be the proper size to effectively cool and heat your home.
An unbalanced temperature means you could experience coldness in one room while experiencing heat in another.
To prevent hot and cold spots, the ductwork must be appropriately designed, sized, and sealed to provide sufficient airflow in all rooms.
3. High Energy Bills
High energy costs indicate inadequate insulation or the loss of heated or cooled air through ducting cracks and gaps. Your energy expenses can go up if your ductwork is blocked or broken. Whatever the situation, inefficient ductwork will lose energy, and air duct replacement is required to make your HVAC system more effective.
4. Old Ductwork
It’s time for a replacement if your ducting has been in place for longer than 15 years. Long-standing ducting frequently exhibits major design defects, such as incorrect duct size and poor arrangement.
Additionally, outdated ducting may contain holes, crushed parts, rusted metal, and inadequate insulation. If your ducting installation was done more than 10 years ago, you could start to experience poor airflow, erratic temperatures, and decreased comfort.
5. Unpleasant Smells and Odors
A smell coming from your air ducts may be due to the accumulation of dust and debris over time. Having foreign junk in your ductwork may also cause unpleasant odors.
Poor insulation or air duct leakage may cause your home to smell musty or moldy. Having mold in your ductwork puts you at risk for serious health issues like lung cancer and allergies since the spores it produces will spread throughout your home whenever your HVAC system operates.
6. Pest Infestation
If you find mice or insects in your HVAC ducts, there may be leaks or holes in the ductwork. By entering through the holes, insects and rodents can create numerous colonies inside your ductwork, leading to additional damage like obstructing the HVAC ducts.
Homeowners frequently have air conditioning system issues and assume they require AC repairs. You could genuinely require duct replacement services, though.
If your air ducts are broken, old, or leaking, the air produced by your AC system won’t ever make it through your vents.
