Because it carries cool or warm air to every area in your home, the condition of your ducting is critical. Problems with your air ducts can limit the life of your HVAC system by causing it to work harder, as well as make your house less comfortable. Many problems can be solved by a professional, but a repair is typically simpler and cheaper.
The Most Common Indication for AC Duct cleaning:
Old ducts, excessive utility costs, poor indoor air quality, and many more are some of the most common indications that you should replace your ducting.
Old Ductwork:
Most homes’ ducting lasts between 10 and 15 years until issues come up. If your ducts are more than 15 years old, have them changed before severe problems arise, such as vermin, gaps, or even destroyed parts of ducts. In this manner, you can avoid draughts and stuffy regions and ensure that all areas of your home are pleasant.
High Utility Bills:
If your power bills continue to rise, you may be losing energy due to a leak in your ductwork. A blower door test can be performed by an HVAC professional to identify any issues. If the leaks are minor enough, your ductwork can be sealed to save electricity. However, you should have it replaced if you want to keep your power expenditures low.
Inconsistent Heating or Cooling:
Homeowners may realize that one or even more rooms are inappropriately heated or cooled in relation to the rest of the property. This can be caused by malfunctioning ducting that does not deliver enough air to specific areas of your home.
An indoor thermometer may easily confirm this. If the temperature changes are definitely out of the ordinary, you should inspect your ducts straight away. This issue could be caused by massive leaks in a duct. The air will leave through these gaps and will be unable to warm or cool a specific region of your room.
Improved Air Quality:
Ductwork gaps or holes allow dust, dirt, and other impurities to circumvent your HVAC system’s air filter and flow throughout your home. This aggravates allergies and asthma symptoms, as well as stuffy nostrils, irritated eyes, and other health issues. Mold can also spread through your ducting and into the rest of your home. This results in unpleasant odors and harm to your HVAC system. Mold can also grow in pipes and under wallpaper.
Mold spores Smell in Your Home:
Mold and fungal problems can be generated in the same way by structurally weak or insulated ducts. Mold and mildew growth as a result of temperature differences inside and outside the HVAC ducting. Humidity can form when heated air passes through cold ducts, for example. Mold and mildew can grow over a period of weeks or months, and you’ll notice it when air is pumped into your home through vents.
Mold spores can cause a variety of health issues as well as significant deterioration of your furnishings, so evaluate your ductwork as soon as you see mold in your home.
Very Old Duck System:
Having aged ducts can lead to complications in the future. Even if your ducting appears to be in good operating order right now, you never realize when problems can arise. You should inspect your ducts very away, especially if your house was built in the 1970s and uses asbestos insulation (a cancer-causing chemical).
In recent years, duct installation procedures have improved. To install and insulate your HVAC ductwork, newer, more efficient, and safer materials are employed. You risk squandering money and endangering your health if you do not upgrade your pipes.
Twisted Ducts:
Kinked or coiled ducts might also prohibit your HVAC system from functioning properly, resulting in high energy expenditures. Ducts can become damaged or entangled for a variety of reasons. For example, a heavy object, such as a rock or a tree branch, could have fallen on your ducts. This may cause the duct to twist at an unnatural angle, restricting airflow. Ducts can develop holes and leaks in addition to impeding airflow.
Look for twisted or kinked ducts, especially in your underground, garage, or attic, as this is where the majority of the problems occur.
Final Words:
If your ducting is more than 15 years old, it should be replaced. The maximum lifetime of ductwork is 20-25 years. However, after 15 years, it begins to deteriorate, considerably diminishing the effectiveness of your HVAC system, therefore repair is the wise decision.