Ductwork plays a vital role in keeping you feeling comfortable by delivering heated and cool air throughout your home. Unfortunately, your ductwork can eventually experience problems over time especially as the equipment gets older. Getting an HVAC professional to inspect your ductwork is a great way to resolve these issues to ensure you and your family can always stay comfortable. To remain on top of things to rectify problems quickly, you need to know the seven common signs that your ductwork needs to be replaced.
1. Higher Energy Bills
One of the biggest signs that your ductwork may need to be replaced is an increase in your energy bills. If your heating and cooling system is working harder than normal to keep your home comfortable, it will use more energy and drive up your utility bills. If you see a sudden spike in utility costs, you must have your ducts inspected to see if they are the culprit.
2. Your Home Has Uneven Temperatures
Some rooms in your home may also be significantly warmer or cooler than others due to leaks in your ductwork. Leaky or damaged ducts make it next to impossible to maintain an even temperature in your home. If you are experiencing these issues, it’s best to reach out to a local HVAC technician to check out your ductwork to determine the source of the problem.
3. Noisy HVAC System
An HVAC system that is working correctly isn’t supposed to make strange or loud noises. Hearing these sounds on a regular basis while your HVAC system is running can be a sign of a problem with your ductwork. For example, if you often hear rattling or banging sounds, your ducts may be loose or damaged. These issues can often get worse over time and lead to significant damage if you don’t reach out to a professional to inspect and mitigate problems with your ductwork.
4. Decrease in Air Quality
Ductwork also plays a key role in maintaining the air quality in your house. If your ducts are dirty or clogged, they can often circulate dust, dirt, and other pollutants throughout your home. You may even experience an increase in allergy symptoms, respiratory problems, or other health issues if your ductwork is dirty. Many times the best choice is to get a professional to clean your ductwork to keep everything working at an optimal level. However, there are times when simply cleaning your ducts is not enough, and replacement is the only option to improve air quality especially if your ducts are full of mold.
5. Older Ductwork System
Ductwork lasts for a long time, but it will eventually begin to wear out and need to be replaced. If your ducts are more than 15-20 years old, it’s a good idea to have them inspected by a professional HVAC technician to see if they need to be replaced. Older ductwork is also more likely to be damaged, so it’s a good idea to get it replaced to avoid any further problems.
6. Leaky Ductwork
Leaky ducts can allow heated or cooled air to escape, which can reduce the efficiency of your heating and cooling system. These leaks in your ducts can also allow pollutants and contaminants to enter your home which can negatively impact your air quality. Leaky ductwork makes it difficult to keep your home feeling comfortable, and it will cause a rise in your utility bills.
7. Poor Insulation
Insulation plays an important role in the efficiency of your heating and cooling system. If your ducts are poorly insulated, they can lose heat in the winter and cool air in the summer. Over time, this can make a big impact on causing your HVAC system to be less efficient. Poor insulation can also cause condensation to form on the ducts which can lead to water damage that causes rust, corrosion, and mold growth. If your ducts have poor insulation, it’s important to have them replaced or re-insulated to avoid these problems.
WK Mechanical, Inc. provides heating and cooling services for customers in the Hudson Valley. Our goal is to always deliver top-quality services, as we have over nearly eight decades of experience in the HVAC industry. We also specialize in generators, indoor air quality services, maintenance agreements, and commercial services. You can also reach out to us if you have any questions about your ductwork or if you need us to inspect your system. Feel free to contact WK Mechanical, Inc. today to see how we can help you and your family maximize your comfort.
