Spotting Damaged Ductwork
Ductwork is an important portion of a home’s heating and cooling system. The system would be ineffective without the ability to transport conditioned air around the home.
Indeed, air ducts are largely responsible for the comfort of the home and the efficiency of the HVAC system. Over time, air ducts can become damaged or degraded. This can happen through unintentional contact with the ductwork or gradually with wear and tear over time.
When air ducts are damaged, the system will show signs that should prompt homeowners to call for repairs. Here are the signs that air duct repairs are needed.
Dust on Air Vents
The importance of clean air ducts can not be overstated. All of the air in the home will flow through the system of ductwork multiple times per day as the HVAC system cycles.
As a general rule, the level of housekeeping around the home reflects the cleanliness of the air ducts. The best place to get an idea of how dirty the ductwork is is the air vents that deliver air to the rooms in the home. When air vents are dirty, the ductwork serving them is likely also dirty.
Normally, an HVAC system’s air filter would prevent the dust from contaminating the inside of air ducts. In homes where the air filters aren’t changed often enough, dust on air vents indicates that more frequent filter changes are needed. However, if the air filters are regularly changed but the air vents are still dusty, it can be a glaring sign of holes in air ducts. When holes form in air ducts, they can pull in environmental dust that can contribute greatly to dust in the home. If there are high dust levels in the home, call a professional for air duct inspection.
Poor Airflow
Air ducts are meticulously designed and installed to produce the least resistance to airflow. When airflow is restricted, the system has to work harder to move air around the home. If a home is older and there are signs of poor airflow, it can be a sign that air ducts are damaged. Some of the signs of poor airflow air:
- Weak airflow from vents
- Hot and cold spots
- Humidity problems
- Air quality issues
Poor airflow is caused when ducts collapse or are crushed by an outside force. If signs of poor airflow are evident, experts should be called to locate the source of the problem and make repairs.
Climbing Energy Bills
A loss of airflow is usually noticeable in comfort, but another glaring indicator exists. Since airflow problems make the system work harder to compensate, high utility bills can be the first sign that some owners notice. Not only that, but high bills can also indicate that the insulation on ductwork has failed and heat energy is leaking out before it can be pumped to an indoor space. Always monitor power bills; if inexplicable spikes are seen, calling a professional for air duct repair can lower monthly bills.
About Bedell Home Services
Bedell Home Services has nearly 40 years of experience installing and repairing ductwork for locals. Their licensed and insured teams also handle HVAC repairs and plumbing. Call today for heating and air conditioning service in Carmel, IN.
