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Signs That You Need to Replace the Ductwork in Your Home

The ductwork in your house functions similarly to the circulatory system of the human body. The ducts are responsible for air circulation within the home by collecting used air from the various house sections and directing it to be cleaned, cooled or heated in the HVAC unit. Later, they redistribute the clean air back to the house. Keeping your ductwork in excellent working condition ensures the efficiency of the HVAC system, which is important if you want to enjoy a comfortable home living environment.

However, ducts may often be forgotten about because of their concealed nature, thus giving credence to the saying, out of sight, out of mind. Usually, they are hidden in the roof spaces and basement areas or even our homes’ back places, which we rarely visit on normal days. It’s paramount to ensure that the duct system is kept clean and well insulated to minimize air loss. More importantly, you should schedule a regular inspection from Hoff Heating & AC, which specializes in air conditioning repair and maintenance services in O’Fallon, MO, and the surrounding areas.

Signs You Need to Replace Your House Ducts

To properly take care of your ducts’ overall working efficiency, you ought to be aware of some of the signs to look out for. They are listed below.

1. Improper Installation

Typically, ducts are part of the air conditioning and ventilation system. If your HVAC unit was improperly installed, then your ductwork is highly likely to be improperly installed and sized as well. Having undersized ducts is disastrous for air circulation since it restricts airflow, causing the HVAC unit to strain. Consequently, more energy is used up in operation, ultimately causing a rise in the energy bill. Furthermore, this leads to a reduced system lifespan.

It’s essential to have the ductwork properly sized to achieve optimal efficiency and clean air quality. For this reason, you should schedule an inspection from licensed companies such as Hoff Heating & AC to determine if all the ducts are well sized and properly installed.

2. Soaring Utility Bills

Do you notice a constant increase in your utility bills every month, yet you’ve hardly added any new electronic? Let us explain to you why this is the case. Typically, an HVAC system utilizes electric energy to operate, and when there is a strain in executing its work, it consumes more power. This leads to the rise in energy bills.

If this happens, a possible problem within your air circulation unit could be faulty ducts. If the ducts have holes and leaks, they lead to a loss in air pressure needed for optimal operation of the HVAC unit. Therefore, the system overworks to counter the pressure loss. Ultimately, increased energy consumption becomes inevitable.

3. Odd Noises

Typically, the HVAC system produces an acceptable range of noises or sounds during its regular operation. However, when there’s a sudden change and the noise becomes unbearable, this indicates that something has gone amiss within your ducts. Usually, the ducts are made of plastic and fiberglass material. If they become loose, rattling sounds start to emanate from the duct system. Additionally, if your ducts have holes in their walls, howling sounds can be heard as air flows over. If this is the case, then your ducts need to be replaced.

4. Terrible Indoor Air Quality

Stuffy air conditions within your house can cause discomfort and health complications from poor air circulation. Damaged ducts are ineffective in eliminating used air and directing it into the HVAC unit for cleaning. This causes possible stagnation of air inside your home. Damaged ducts also allow pollen to infiltrate your house, posing health complications such as allergies and asthma.

5. Dust Accumulation

Dust accumulation within your house signifies that the air circulation is not happening as expected. Although eliminating dust in your home may not be possible, you can limit the visible accumulation by ensuring healthy conditions for your duct system.

If your home is experiencing dust accumulation, then dust may be finding entry through the holes and leaks present in the ducts. The result is that you might start sneezing more than usual. Your furniture will also be covered in a visible layer of dirt.

6. Odd Smells of Mold and Mildew

When the duct system experiences uneven temperatures between the outside and the inside, the varying temperatures cause the water vapor in the circulating air to condense and settle within the ducts. This water provides ideal conditions for the growth of mold, which happens over time. When air blows over the growth, a moldy smell is dispersed throughout your house, which can be very unpleasant for home dwellers.

The mold and mildew are associated with health problems within the respiratory system. In addition, mold contributes to the deterioration of the state of your furniture, thus bringing about myriads of issues within the household. It’s advisable to have your ducts inspected and cleaned when you start to notice these smells.

7. Uneven Heating or Cooling

You might discover that there are hot and warm patches in some of the rooms within your house. This uneven heating is brought about by faulty ducts that cannot provide enough air circulation to all sections within the home. Typically, leakages within the ductwork are a significant contributor to air loss from the ducts. The escaping air makes it difficult to heat or cool areas of the house effectively.

8. Pest Infestation

Pests infestation within your house means these tiny insects are finding a passage from the outside to the inside through the ductwork. Holes and leaks in the ducts provide entry points for pests that are constantly seeking shelter in warm places.

They can create colonies within the ductwork and block airflow passage. Pests are a nuisance, and they spread dangerous bacteria, not forgetting the weird noises they produce all through the night. Furthermore, if these pests make it to the HVAC central unit, they can short-circuit your HVAC system and ultimately destroy it.

9. Dents and Punctures

The occurrence of dents significantly affects the effectiveness of the ductwork because of the restriction of airflow, which in turn reduces the operation of the HVAC system. When airflow is restricted, it causes a strain on the system. This strain is because the system is trying to work harder to cool or heat your home.

Furthermore, excessive strain can cause mechanical damage to the HVAC unit, which would bring a slew of repair costs if a breakdown happens. If your ducts get damaged or punctured, you should have them replaced to avert more significant repair costs in the future.

Contact Us

The installation of heating and cooling air conditioning systems requires the skill and expertise of professionals, such as Hoff Heating & AC. We provide quality AC and furnace repairs, installation and maintenance services in O’Fallon, MO, and the surrounding areas. In addition, we offer air purification and filtration services as well.

Contact Hoff Heating & AC today for more information.