Ducts are crucial HVAC components as they deliver cool or warm air to every room in your home. If they experience issues, they can lower your home comfort and shorten the service lifespan of your HVAC system. You can opt to repair your ducts, but a replacement ensures that you restore the efficiency of your HVAC system.
Importance of a Working Duct System
Your indoor air quality can determine your home’s comfort and health. The Environmental Protection Agency states that indoor air can be up to five times more polluted than outdoor air. If your air ducts are not clean, they can lower your indoor air quality causing health problems in your home. Having your ductwork professionally cleaned can help remove dirt, dust, and debris and improve your home comfort.
Your home may be more polluted than it appears. Ducts are located behind walls, and you may not know how dirty they are. Microscopic bacteria and germs can make their way into your indoor air, which can trigger asthma attacks and allergies. Here are the benefits of ensuring that your ductwork is in good working condition.
Preventing Air Leaks
Your ductwork connects your HVAC system with your indoor spaces. Conditioned air flows from your system through the ducts and into the rooms of your home. Air that escapes your ducts before reaching your indoor spaces represents a waste of energy. Similarly, unconditioned air can leak into your ductwork, forcing your system to work harder to heat or cool your air. It can also introduce contaminants that lower your indoor air quality.
Your HVAC system will work efficiently if your ducts are sealed to prevent any leaks. They also need to be properly insulated in order to avoid air from escaping. You can install your ducts in conditioned spaces to prevent leakages, but they may lower the aesthetic appeal of your home. Proper insulation and sealing of your ducts will ensure your ducts are working efficiently.
Improve Your Health
Having ducts that are working properly can prevent the growth of mold and mildew in your home. If your ducts are not supplying conditioned air sufficiently to all the rooms in your home, you will experience cold and hot spots. Some rooms will be colder or warmer than others, which leads to high humidity. The presence of moisture in the air encourages the growth of mold in your home.
Mold can trigger allergies and asthma attacks in your family members who are very sensitive or have breathing problems. They can also cause irritation of the eyes, nose, and skin. Replacing your ducts can help to prevent health problems by discouraging the growth of mold.
Save on Energy Bills
When your ductwork has debris or contaminants, it causes your HVAC unit to overwork, leading to high energy bills. The system will work longer to cool or heat your home and draw more power. This will increase the wear and tear of your HVAC system and shorten the life of your system. You may end up paying costly repair fees and paying high monthly energy bills.
A qualified and experienced company like Southland Heating & Air Conditioning can help you replace your ductwork to restore efficiency in your home. We have been in service for close to a decade serving the residents of Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara counties. We have an A+ rating from BBB for exceptional customer service and satisfaction. Our technicians will replace your ductwork properly to ensure you save on energy bills.
Signs that You Should Replace Your Ductwork
It may take you a while to notice issues with your duct since they are mostly hidden from view. Sometimes, you may not notice the problems until it’s too late. Here are the signs to look for to know you need to replace your ductwork.
Loud Noises
Typically, your HVAC system produces low noises while it’s working. However, if you hear banging or rattling sounds coming from your system, it could mean that your ducts are vibrating too much. Your ductwork is attached using plastic or fiberglass joints. Over time, these joints may loosen or get damaged, which causes them to make a whistling or rattling noise.
Your ducts may also have gaps or holes, producing a whistling sound as air pass through them. It’s crucial that you do not ignore these loud noises as your ductwork can deteriorate further. Loud noise can disturb your comfort, especially when sleeping at night. Replacing your ductwork can help to eliminate the noise and improve your home comfort.
Restricted Airflow
Proper airflow ensures that all the rooms in your home receive conditioned air. Dirty, damaged, or clogged ducts can restrict the airflow and cause uneven heating. This may also overwork your HVAC system, leading to high energy bills. You can use a thermometer to measure the room temperatures and check for any differences.
High Energy Bills
If you notice a spike in your energy bills without a valid reason, it may mean that something is wrong with your ductwork. Whereas air can escape your ductwork, a significant loss of air can cause your monthly bill to increase. Your HVAC will have to work longer to cool or heat your home, which will consume more energy. When you notice that your energy bills are higher than average, you need to contact a qualified HVAC technician to check for the issue and replace your ductwork if they are damaged.
Odors
Restricted airflow and uneven heating can cause cold and hot spots in your home. When some parts do not receive enough conditioned air, the rooms may get humid, encouraging mold growth. Mold produces a musty smell that you experience inside your home. This can lower your home comfort and affect your health.
Mold can also destroy your items made of wood or your home structure. Pests can find their way into your ductwork, especially during the cold season. They can cause loud noises, and when they die, they decompose and produce foul odors. Pests can also spread bacterial, which may affect your health.
If you notice odors or the presence of mold in your home, you can contact an HVAC company to diagnose the issue. Replacing your ducts will help avoid costly repairs and ensure that you completely get rid of the problem.
Damaged Ducts
You may have to replace your ducts if they are damaged. The ducts can be damaged when remodeling or renovating since you may have to knock down walls, which can cause damage to the ductwork. You might not even notice that the ducts have been damaged by the construction until it’s over.
It’s also possible that your ducts may not be installed properly. This leads to problems down the line that may force you to replace your ductwork. Ensure that you get a qualified technician to install your ductwork properly so that they work efficiently.
Age
Your ductwork will not last forever, and they have a service lifespan. Typically, ducts can last up to 10 years before they start experiencing major issues. After this period, they may experience decreased efficiency, and you may notice that your house is more dusty than usual. You may try to fix some of these issues, but eventually, you will have to replace your ducts.
Southland Heating & Air Conditioning provides reliable heating and air conditioning services in Newbury Park in addition to servicing ductless mini-splits, whole-house air purifying systems, UV filters, and more. Contact Southland Heating & Air Conditioning today for more information!
