Are Duct Renovations Necessary?
Air ducts control the amount of air that enter each room in your home and also regulates the temperature of each room. Air ducts last for about 10 – 15 years and old or damaged air ducts could reduce the air quality in your home. If you are having trouble with your air ducts, it is possible that you might need to consider duct renovations.
The Problems With Old Ducts
Old ducts don’t effectively cool rooms as they should. Ineffective ducts are less energy efficient as your air conditioning units must work overtime to ensure that your home stays at the ideal temperature. If this happens, your energy bill will increase dramatically.
Damaged air ducts affect the air quality of your home. They result in leakages and allow pollutants to enter your home possibly affecting the health of you and your family. These pollutants remain trapped in your home if your duct system is not working correctly.
Certain duct sizes are required for a specific sized room. It is important to ensure the duct size allows for optimal performance in each room. Many older ducts weren’t made by taking this into consideration. If your ducts aren’t working as they should, a modern installation will ensure that the size of the duct is appropriate for each room. This will save you money in the long run and will make your home more comfortable to be in no matter the weather. Many older homes have the incorrect duct sizes – if your ducts are making a noise, they are probably too small and you should consider having them replaced.
If your ducts are old then they possibly have a lot of dirt and dust gathering in them – they could also be a breeding ground for mold and mildew if they are not cleaned properly. It is important to maintain your ducts to ensure that they last longer – ducts that have extensive mold and mildew damage may need to be replaced if they can’t be repaired.
The sealing of your ducts needs to be inspected especially if they are old. The sealing could become damaged and worn, and result in air leakage. Over time your ducts might shift out of alignment as a result of wear and tear. They may be able to be shifted back into the correct position but that would be up to a professional to decide after an inspection has been completed. If the damage is too extensive, the ducts might have to be replaced.
If you’re not sure about whether you should replace your ducts or not, you could always have a test done. A duct blower test will be used to check the performance of your ducts. This test involves the use of air pressure sensors to help determine the performance of your ducts. A professional AC technician will use the information gathered to help you decide what steps need to be taken. Regular maintenance is important to ensure that your ducts last as long as possible. This will save you money in the long run and will ensure that your air and family stay healthy. Give Art Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electric a call today to make sure your ducts are in the best shape.
