Air ducts are often ignored by most homeowners. Studies have shown that Your HVAC system loses about 20-30 % of the air that travels through the ductwork. The HVAC ducts provide the pathway through which hot or cold air is transport to your house. Normally, air ducts last about 10-15 years. If your air ducts are damaged, have leaks, holes, or have been poorly installed. it will create an uncomfortable environment in your home. This problem has a solution. But ignoring the warning signs that something is wrong with your air ducts can lead to a lot of money waste and expensive cooling and heating repair Sacramento each year. Replacing air ducts is a smart choice when the damage is beyond repair and your HVAC is too old as it will save your money on heating and cooling bills down the line.
So, it’s vital you take action in a proactive way by identifying the warning signs that tell your air ducts may need replacement.
Here are the top signs you need to pay attention to:
- Bad cooling
The poor cooling issues can be caused by many reasons. The first thing you can do is checking your air filter and replace them if necessary. When filters are clogged, filthy, the airflow becomes obstructed and you experience poor cooling in your rooms. IF even after replacing the filter, the situation doesn’t improve. It’s time to call a professional heating and air conditioner service Sacramento for inspecting your duct system.
- Your HVAC is too old
Old ducts can create a number of problems in your HVAC system. Air ducts, with proper care and maintenance, can last up to 10 years. Although the ductwork of the system may seem to work fine, problems can arise at any time in the future. Over the years, your air ducts will face wear and tear, will get damaged. Once they are damaged, they can invite all other problems such as poor cooling and heating, costly energy bills, and increased trouble. Therefore, if your air ducts are too old, they will probably need replacement. So, you should schedule a ductwork inspection by HVAC experts, if this is the case.
- A spike in your energy bills
If you notice your energy bills rising up, and there is no understandable reason why it is happening, there is a good chance that your ductwork is not cleaned, or clogged, or might have holes. In case, you have holes and leaks which are small, sealing them will solve the problem and you won’t need to go for an entire replacement of the ductwork to save on your energy bills. All of these possible causes can decrease the efficiency of your HVAC system. Regular air duct cleaning also helps in improving the efficiency of your system. A licensed air conditioning and heating company can test your ducts and find the problem behind high energy bills.
- Dents & Punctures
The composition and designing of air ducts are done in a strategic way so that your home can get cooled air evenly at all places. However, dents and punctures in the ductwork can affect its ability to cool your home effectively. In the event of figuring out dents and punctures in your ductwork system, call a renowned HVAC and hot water repair Sacramento professionals to examine the situation. Whether you need repair or replacement, this is something professional HVAC technicians can expertly suggest to you.
- Mold growth and unpleasant smell
The mold growth inside the ductwork or around the system is a problem that can lead to severe health problems in your family. The mold can even cause damage to your home furniture and property. Mold can also find its way into the ductwork if the ducts are poorly installed or connected. If you smell a bad or musty odor throughout your home and suspect you have mold growth in your ducts, call a licensed professional as soon as possible. Mold growth can make your family sick and cause allergies. Mold growth is serious and must come to the attention of professional HVAC experts.
- You have noisy ducts
If strange noises are coming from your HVAC system when it operates, it is likely that you have a problem with your ducts. Several times, the cause of noises is likely linked with undersized ducts. If that is the problem, you will need replacement. Other times, the loud and strange noises could be the result of holes, or poor installation of the ducts, or disconnections in the system. Contact the nearest HVAC technician for checks.
- Poorly installed or connected ducts.
Poor installation can decrease efficiency, and cause poor cooling and heating performance. Improper installation can cause a lot of energy less, and compromised comfort in your house. So, in case you have ductwork that was installed improperly in your house, no doubt will need replacement here. No matter if you have a good energy-efficient model, if the installation has been done improperly, it will affect its efficiency and performance to cool the home. Thus, it will cause more energy loss. If your rooms don’t get cool properly, it’s time to contact a professional for an inspection.
- Indoor air quality is not good
Regardless of how much you clean your home, if it’s still dusty, the problem is due to old ductwork. Holes and gaps in the ductwork system will allow the dust, hazardous pollutants, and other contaminants from outside to find their way into the ductwork and get circulated all throughout the entire system, and also spread out into all corners of your home. So, if you are experiencing allergy symptoms and other flu-like symptoms more often than ever. You need to inspect your ductwork with experienced and reliable heating and air conditioner services.
In times of Covid, it can be too dangerous for your health as viruses and bacteria can travel through your HVAC system and then recirculated again and again through the ductwork system, making your indoor air full of airborne viruses.
● Pest, rats, and Insect Infestations
If pests, rodents, other insects are living or have got inside your air ducts, this can create a problem with the ductwork system. Unsealed gaps and rips often provide these insects, or rodents the way to get inside. If the rats have traveled inside through these pathways, they can even create more gaps and holes. By using their sharp teeth. So, how to identify if they’re inside and staying in your ductwork?
Well, you need to pay attention to the following signs mentioned below :
- If you find dropping of mice, rats, or cockroaches around the ductwork, it’s sure that they are inside the ductwork.
- You smell a stale, rancid, ammonia-like smell emanating from the vents, this is a bad sign.
- Do you hear scratching sounds around the ductwork? You may get the chance to heat scratching and skittering sounds as these sounds are created when insects and other pest moves.
There are various health concerns that come from insects and other pests moving and living inside the ductwork. It increases the risk of allergies and can trigger asthma symptoms in humans. Call an experienced cooling and heating repair professional to address this problem.
Last, all of these warning signs should not be ignored and need attention from HVAC professionals.
