You probably don’t think much about the ductwork and ventilation system in your home; however, it does play a key role in keeping your home comfortable all year round. Specifically, the ductwork in your home efficiently carries warm and cold air from your HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system directly to your vents.
Like all HVAC components, your ductwork will eventually need to be replaced. Over the years, wear and tear can prevent the ductwork in your home from doing its job efficiently, which could lead to higher energy bills and uncomfortable living space.
While having a qualified HVAC technician inspecting your ductwork is the only way to figure out if it needs to be replaced, there are some telltale signs that you can watch out for.
Your Indoor Air Quality Is Suffering
Poor indoor air quality can lead to a host of problems. Dust and debris floating around the air in your home could harm your respiratory health, especially if you already suffer from asthma or allergies. You may also find that you need to clean your home more often because there is always a layer of dust settling on the surfaces.
If this sounds familiar, it is likely due to bad ductwork. More specifically, ductwork that has developed leaks or that has a poor seal can cause excess dust and debris to be released into the air you breathe. At the very least, you should consider contacting professionals to clean the air ducts.
You Hear a Lot of Noise When Your Unit Is On
While hearing the soft hum of your HVAC unit is normal, the noise shouldn’t be so distracting that you cannot focus on your work or enjoy time with your family. If you hear rattling sounds or it sounds like your ductwork is vibrating too much, try to get a ductwork inspection. These noises could be coming from damaged joints made from either fiberglass or plastic.
Loud noises around your home when the HVAC unit is turned on could also come from holes in the ductwork. This will also be accompanied by hot and cold spots, as the holes lead to uneven cooling and escaped air.
Your Energy Bills Are Continuing to Rise
While there are a plethora of reasons why your utility bills may be too high, some of the most common are an outdated HVAC system, drafty windows, insulation problems, or worn/damaged ductwork. Leaks in your ductwork can cause warm or cold air to escape and prevent it from reaching the different areas of your home. The uneven cooling or heating results in your AC or furnace to work harder to keep your home comfortable.
Sometimes, temporary solutions are as easy as making some basic ductwork repairs and patching leaks. To truly protect your HVAC unit and your wallet, however, it is best to get the faulty ductwork replaced.
Your Home Isn’t Evenly Heated or Cooled
If your home is experiencing areas where one room is really cold and the other is really hot, and the third room is somewhere in the middle, this is often caused by faulty ductwork. These issues are directly related to airflow problems which can be caused by the following:
- Wrong size ductwork
- Leaks in the ductwork
- Blockages that need to be cleaned out
- Unbalanced supply of air (which could indicate a problem with your HVAC unit)
You Smell Mold or Mildew in Your House
If your home is constantly experiencing uneven temperatures, this can encourage the growth of mold or mildew inside and outside of your HVAC ductwork. When warm air travels through the cold ductworks, or vice versa, it results in condendaction. If the condensation continues to build up, mold or mildew will begin to develop.
The musty smell it creates will be spread throughout your home through vents and can lead to several health problems including respiratory issues. Your furniture may also be damaged if the moisture were to spread along with the spores from the mold or mildew.
Your Home Has a Growing Pest Problem
Rodents and insects often look for safe dark places to raise their young. Damaged ductworks provide an opening for these pests to move in, leading to a multitude of problems for you and your family. These issues include:
- Spreading bacteria and microbes
- Scratching noises during the night as they move through the ductwork
- Potential damage to your HVAC system if they get near it
- Severely and negatively impact the quality of your air as feces, urine, and other biohazards build up in your ductworks
- Build up of blockages
If you think that your ductwork is experiencing a pest infestation, not only will you want to call your trusted HVAC technician but you will also need to call a professional exterminator to rid your home of the pests.
Your Air Ducts Haven’t Been Replaced In Years
When was the last time your home’s ductwork was replaced? If you’re not sure or if you know it hasn’t been done in well over a decade, then your air ducts are likely due for an upgrade. Each time you have a new HVAC system installed, it’s a good idea to revisit the configuration of your home’s ductwork to ensure that everything is set up with maximum efficiency in mind.
Unfortunately, many people opt-out of having their ductwork upgraded or modified along with their other new HVAC components, missing out on achieving optimal efficiency and comfort. If your ductwork is still original to your home or hasn’t been upgraded in years, now would be a good time to have an HVAC professional take a look and make some recommendations.
Professional Ductwork Replacement Services in DFW
Cote’s Mechanical Heating & Air Conditioning is proud to serve the residential and commercial clients of the DFW Metroplex. Our team offers unparalleled ductwork replacement and maintenance services along with other HVAC services such as new heating and cooling installation, repair, and maintenance services. Contact our team today for more information on our services or to schedule an appointment!
