Common Duct Problems And How To Fix Them

Air ducts are the lifeline of any air conditioning system. If they’re not functioning properly, you’re bound to start feeling the impact sooner or later. Duct repairs are not something any homeowner should put off, because malfunctioning duct systems can affect not just your HVAC efficiency, but your utility bill and potentially even your health! Let’s take a look at common air duct problems and their distinct ‘symptoms’ so that you know what to look out for.
Leaking Ducts
If you start to notice a significant and unexplained increase in your energy bill, this could be a sign that duct repair is necessary. Leaking ducts are a common culprit of increased energy costs – especially if your ductwork is 10 years old or more.
There are several reasons why ductwork may be leaking, but usually, leakage is simply the result of normal wear and tear. Remember, the attic of your home experiences extreme temperature variations, especially in summer. Years spent baking in the heat of your attic can cause ductwork to become brittle and crack, or the sealing on duct connections to wear thin. If your ductwork has a leak, it could mean that your home is losing 20-40% of its conditioned air, which means your HVAC has to work harder to cool your home and your utility bill will be higher.
Duct repair for leaking ducts usually involves either the removal and replacement of the section of ductwork which is cracked, or the application of a layer of sealant. AeroSeal™ is a particularly effective sealant system, which can significantly reduce air loss through its unique patented sealing material. AeroSeal can be used to re-seal duct connections or even large holes in ductwork. However, if a duct system is very old, it may be better to replace the ductwork altogether, as other parts of the system are likely to start experiencing similar problems as time goes on.
Weak Airflow
If you’re noticing that your HVAC system’s airflow is weak, this could be a sign that duct cleaning is necessary. Weak airflow could be caused by clogged air vents at the terminals of your duct system. The vents and ducts should be carefully checked along with the rest of your HVAC system to determine what the cause of the reduced airflow is and whether more extensive duct repairs are necessary. While a clogged vent is a relatively simple fix, there could be a more serious underlying reason why the vent is becoming clogged in the first place, so an overall duct system evaluation is always a good idea.
Dust, Mold Or Mildew Build-up In Your Ductwork
If you’ve noticed a strange, unexplained smell in your home or an odor that seems to be coming from your AC vents, then your ducts might have a mold or mildew build-up. This is an especially common problem in South Florida, where warm attics and humid air provide the perfect conditions for mold growth.
Mold growth in your ducts can start to impact your indoor air quality because mold releases tiny spores which can travel through vents and into your home, especially if you don’t have an air filtration system installed. Mold spores can cause headaches, sneezing, and coughing, and can be dangerous for your health.
Even if mold growth isn’t a problem for your ductwork, an annual ductwork cleaning and maintenance check will go a long way to ensuring the quality of your home air is tip-top. Good indoor quality is especially important if your family is prone to allergies or asthma. Now that spring has sprung, giving your ductwork a thorough cleaning will help to eliminate all the pollen, dust, and pet dander that has accumulated in your ducts and vents.
Outdated, Inefficient Ductwork
Older duct systems were not designed to be efficient. What most homeowners don’t realize is that older ductwork could be contributing to unnecessarily high energy bills – and that they could be saving a lot of money each month if they were to replace their duct system. Modern duct systems are carefully designed, with special attention being paid to the size, length, and placement of HVAC vents, registers, and ducts to ensure the efficient distribution of cool air. While renovating your ductwork might be an expensive project, over the long run it will save you money – not to mention that you’ll be lowering your environmental impact.
For Duct Repairs And Maintenance, Always Call In The Specialists
Your home’s ductwork system is a finely tuned operation, and you shouldn’t attempt to clean or fix any of its parts by yourself. Art Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electric’s experienced air conditioning technicians are here to address all of your ductwork concerns, whether it’s an annual duct system check-up or a more serious problem that needs to be looked at.
Contact us at 1-800-475-1504 today to find out why we’re South Florida’s most trusted duct repair and maintenance specialists!