When is Duct Repair or Replacement Necessary?
Air ducts are often overlooked when homeowners have problems with the air conditioner. However, in many cases, ductwork may be to blame for problems with an air conditioner. Issues with inefficiencies and comfort can occasionally be traced back to ductwork.
Instead of ignoring ductwork problems and paying exorbitant cooling bills from inefficiencies, homeowners should give ductwork the attention that it needs. Here are a few ways to recognize problems in ductwork and why duct replacement is important.
How to Tell That Air Ducts are Damaged?
The purpose of air ducts is to carry cooled or heated air from the HVAC unit to the rooms in a home. The key features of air ducts are that they are insulated to prevent energy losses, and they have low internal resistance to allow the free movement of air. When these features fail in ductwork, the results are:
- Higher Bills: When insulation in ductwork is damaged, it allows cool air to leak out of ductwork into attics or crawl spaces. These inefficiencies make the unit work harder to reach the temperature on the thermostat, accounting for higher monthly energy bills.
- Uncomfortable Home: Impeded airflow in ductwork prevents cooled air from reaching its destination. The result is that the back pressure causes some rooms to be cooled too much and others not enough. This leads to hot and cold spots around the home and potential humidity issues.
- Odors or Allergy Problems: When airflow is reduced in ductwork, dust can build up inside the ductwork. This can be controlled using a duct cleaning service. However, when the dust is allowed to build up, mold and allergens can grow in ductwork and be distributed around the home every time the system comes on.
Reasons to Look Into Duct Replacement
Most air ducts are expected to last about 10 to 15 years. If the ductwork in a home is over 15 years old, the homeowners should consider replacing them, which can save them money on energy bills.
By this time, insulation will be degraded, and rust could be forming inside the ducts. When a new, more efficient air conditioner or ducts are installed, the HVAC system won’t have to work as hard or as long to reach the desired temperature, and monthly utility bills will drop.
For this reason, air duct replacement is recommended when the air conditioner is upgraded. This allows homeowners to pick ducts that best fit the unit and take advantage of the maximum savings when investing in a new AC system.
Air Duct Repair
Repairs are a good option in many cases that don’t involve the age of the air ducts. A professional HVAC contractor can remove sections of damaged air ducts and replace them as necessary in very little time at reasonable prices.
Sections of ductwork may need to be replaced in instances like:
- Ducts that have been crushed or bent
- Ducts that have water damage or rust
- Insulation that is falling off ductwork
- Air quality problems that are limited to certain rooms
About Jerry Brittingham A/C & Heat, Inc.
Jerry Brittingham A/C & Heat, Inc. has 20 years of experience serving the residents of Daytona Beach, FL, and the surrounding areas. They offer transparent pricing, on-time arrival, financing, and a membership plan. Call them today for heating and air conditioning services in Daytona Beach, FL.
