When Should Homeowners Replace Air Ducts?
There are a number of items in the house that most homeowners might not think of on a regular basis. The pipes in walls, the HVAC, the furnace, and the air ducts are things that typically hum away and work without having to inspect them. But air ducts will degrade over time and require replacement. So how do homeowners know when they should replace their air ducts or when they should simply give them a good cleaning instead?
Here are three common signs to look for that point to the need for air duct replacement.
Aging Ductwork
As with anything in the home, the older it gets, the sooner it needs replacement. Air ducts have a typical life of anywhere from ten to fifteen years. Around this point, homeowners start to see problems crop up. By replacing air ducts sooner than their typical expiration date, it’s possible to avoid significant problems and costly repairs.
Homeowners can also prevent more superficial problems such as drafty rooms, stuffy areas, and an overall sense of discomfort because their ducts aren’t working the way they should.
Increased Utility Bills
Utility bills often provide an indicator of whether or not things in the home are working properly. If they unexplainably increase and continue to go up even after adjusting how much they’re turning the air on, they could be looking at faulty ductwork. If their ducts are breaking down, they could lose a significant amount of energy due to leaks in the ductwork. If leaks are small, they might be able to get sealed off.
If, however, leaks are too big to be sealed, homeowners will need to replace the ductwork instead. Large leaks can spend excessive energy since so much air leaks out of the air duct rather than entering their home. Leaky air ducts are also problematic for the AC unit, since it will have to work overtime to cool the air. A unit that is on all the time will also be cause for increased energy bills.
Less-Than-Ideal Indoor Air Quality
Holes, leaks, and gaps in ductwork are prime areas where dust, pollen, and airborne irritants can enter their home’s air system. Because they enter through the gaps in the ducts, they bypass the HVAC filter and enter the house. This can lead to an increase in allergies, asthma symptoms, and health issues. Gaps and holes are a prime place for mold to enter the ductwork, causing damage to their HVAC unit and further introducing airborne irritants and illness-causing pollutants into the home.
If homeowners find themselves getting ill more frequently or suffering from cold-like symptoms without the cold, their air ducts could very possibly be the cause.
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