Signs It May Be Time to Replace
When it comes to ductwork, we’re willing to bet it’s “out of sight, out of mind” for most homeowners. But this could end up costing you lots of money. According to Energy Star, “about 20 to 30 percent of the air that moves through the duct system is lost due to leaks, holes, and poorly connected ducts.” This means a considerable loss of comfort…and much higher utility bills.
Is it time to replace your ductwork? Here are a few things to look out for:
Age
Unlike fine wines and cheeses, your ductwork will NOT get better with age. The older it gets, the more susceptible it is to wear and tear in the seals, seams, and joints. This deterioration can lead to leaks and other problems for your HVAC system. Even if everything seems to be working fine now, old ductwork is likely to spring a costly surprise on you at some point down the road. Better to keep on top of things and be able to plan for the inevitable repairs or replacement.
High Utility Bills
As we mentioned above, leaky and poorly fitted ducts can lead to a huge loss in energy efficiency—your HVAC system has to work much harder to heat and cool your home, because a good chunk of the air it has already heated or cooled is escaping. Which, of course, leads to a higher dollar amount on your monthly bills.
Uneven Airflow/Temperature
When you move from room to room, does the temperature seem about the same? Or is it much stuffier or colder in a couple rooms? An easy way to test this out is to take readings with an indoor thermometer in different parts of your house. If the temps are all over the place, it could be due to faulty ductwork that isn’t able to move the air around your home evenly.
Poor Indoor Air Quality
When your ductwork is full of leaks and holes, it’s not just your temperature-related comfort that suffers. Those gaps also let in all sorts of dust, mold, moisture, and allergens as well. And then your HVAC system proceeds to blow them all throughout your home. So if you’re feeling sneezier than usual, having respiratory problems, or are noticing unsavory odors…it may be time to inspect those ducts.
Visible Damage
One of the best ways to tell if there are issues with your ducts is to take an old-fashioned look. Do you see dents and holes? Are there kinks, tangles, or twists? If something heavy falls or knocks into your ductwork, it can cause damage that could potentially restrict airflow or spring a leak.
Noises
A little bit of noise is common in an HVAC system. But if you’re hearing lots of rattling, whistling, or vibrating noises, it may be time to take a look at the ducts. In order to wind its way through the rooms of your home, your ductwork is held together with a series of fiberglass or plastic joints. If these get damaged, or if your ducts have holes in them, your system will start to get obnoxiously loud.
If you’re experiencing any of these issues with your ductwork, it’s time to call in the pros. An experienced HVAC contractor like Appel can take a look and see if you can get away with some repairs or if a replacement is needed.