How To Tell If You Have Damaged Ductwork
Every home with a central HVAC system relies on ductwork to distribute air. HVAC air ducts come in various shapes, sizes, and materials to navigate the tight spaces in the home’s attic or crawlspace where ductwork is usually installed. Over time, these ducts can get damaged or start to come apart at the seams where different sections are joined.
Damaged or leaky air ducts can cause problems with energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and general comfort, so it’s important that homeowners repair or replace damaged ductwork as soon as possible. Keep reading to discover a few of the most common signs that air duct repair is needed.
Lots of Dust Around the Home (Or In the Vents)
The first clue that the home’s ductwork may be damaged is if the place tends to get dusty quickly. Some dust is normal, but if homeowners have to dust every few days just to keep it at bay, that’s a problem.
The HVAC air filter is designed to capture a large portion of the everyday dust that floats around the home, keeping it to a minimum. So, if there’s excessive dust in the house, it may be entering through leaks in the ductwork. After all, attics and crawlspaces (where most ducts are installed) tend to be pretty dusty places, and a lot of that dust can get sucked up into the ducts as air travels through them.
Homeowners can peek inside the vents themselves by shining a flashlight into the air registers. If there’s a lot of dust and debris inside, there’s a good bet that there’s a leak (or several) somewhere in the ductwork.
Poor Airflow and Uneven Temperatures
Another symptom of damaged air ducts is a lack of proper airflow throughout the home. The home may feel stuffy, and weak airflow (or no airflow) may come from the vents. Some rooms may feel warm while others feel cool.
This could be caused by air escaping through a duct leak, or a section of ductwork may have gotten crushed, causing a clog. Either way, it will result in a less comfortable home and an AC or heater that needs to work harder than usual to meet the demands of the thermostat. Of course, airflow issues can also be caused by a dirty air filter, so homeowners should always check that before calling for ductwork repair!
Unusually High Energy Bills
When air is lost to duct leaks or airflow is impeded by a blocked duct, the HVAC system won’t be operating at its peak efficiency. This will result in more energy being consumed to maintain the desired temperature in the home, which will, in turn, raise the utility bill.
This can cost homeowners a significant amount of money over the norm every month—but the good news is that it can also alert them to the problem. If the energy bill seems higher than normal with no obvious explanation, damaged ducts may be to blame, especially if the abovementioned symptoms accompany the increase.
By looking for these warning signs, homeowners will know when to call a professional for duct repair—before they start choking on dust or shelling out more than they need to on heating and cooling costs!
About Barker Heating & Cooling
Barker Heating & Cooling has proudly served Livermore and the Tri-Valley area for nearly three decades. As a 5-star-rated business and BBB’s Torch Award for Ethics recipient, Barker offers competitive up-front pricing, money-saving maintenance plans, and a lifetime craftsmanship warranty. Their licensed, insured, background-checked, and drug-tested technicians are available around the clock for emergency & same-day service, so don’t hesitate to call them for air duct repair in Livermore, CA!
