How often do you think about your home’s ductworks? If you’re like most people, the answer is: never. This is not due to neglect or a belief that it’s not worth the time or effort. It has more to do with the fact that, well, out of sight, out of mind.
However, with the passage of time, they can become clogged with dirt and debris (and even sometimes with an occasional critter). In addition, they can develop leaks that will have an impact on your home’s energy efficiency and could possibly increase your utility bills.
The good news is that you don’t have to wonder when it’s time to show them some love and provide the necessary maintenance. When there’s an issue with ductwork, the signs are apparent.
Unpleasant Smells
Before you automatically assume that a bad smell coming out of your ducts is a sign that you need to replace them, consider this: Living in warmer areas means you rarely turning on your heater. When you finally do, the heat is going to burn any dust particles that may have settled up there. So if your AC smells like burning, don’t stress. It’ll disappear. But, if you notice a mildew or mold smell, have your ducts inspected to avoid a bigger problem in your home and with your family’s health.
Unusual Noises
Properly installed ductwork should be quiet. If yours is making a racket, you’re likely dealing with a faulty installation, ducts that are the wrong size for your home, or ducts that are full of debris. Any of these scenarios require an HVAC technician to resolve it.
Uneven Temperatures
There are different causes for uneven temperatures in a home, including an air conditioner that’s the wrong size, or dirty air filters. However, if you’ve ruled out both of those; old and/or cracked ductwork could be to blame.
Dusty Home
Air conditioners have air filters designed to ensure your home has good indoor air quality. However, if your ductwork has leaks; dust, pollen, and other allergens won’t go through the filters it can enter the ducts through cracks and circulate throughout your home.
Higher Energy Bills
If your home has leaks your power bill will go up. That’s a certainty. And while sometimes the leaks are obvious other times, you won’t have any idea where they are. One of the best ways to find out whether this is an issue in your home is to conduct a home energy audit. You can either do it yourself or hire a professional to do it for you. The benefits extend beyond your ductwork; you’ll find out if and where you have leaks elsewhere in your home as well.
Give Us a Call
If any of these signs are present in your ductwork don’t hesitate to give us a call. We will send out one of our technicians to your residence or commercial property and verify that new ductwork would be the best course of action for your HVAC system.
