If you’re a homeowner, you may have had to replace your home’s furnace and air conditioning units, along with new ductwork to complete the new HVAC system installation.
While you know the replacement of a furnace or air conditioning unit is almost always inevitable as the years of wear and tear take their toll, did you know the same principle applies to replacing ductwork?
Even if your furnace and AC units are hanging in there, the ductwork (also known as the distribution system) may need replacement all on its own.
The Function of Ductwork
The function of the ductwork tied into your furnace and AC units is to evenly distribute either warm or cool air throughout your home. If your ductwork is old and/or in poor condition, you’ll notice less comfortable temperatures in various spots throughout your home.
Poorly functioning ductwork forces your entire HVAC system to work harder to maintain even and comfortable temperatures.
Ductwork only lasts for about 20-25 years, while starting to lose efficiency after about 10-15 years.
While temporary fixes can keep the ductwork mostly functional, in many cases it’s easier and less expensive to simply replace the entire distribution system.
Ductwork Replacement Signs
If you notice any of the following signs, you may be in need of new ductwork:
Age of Ducts (exceeds 10-15 years)
The older the ducts, the greater the possibility they will break down with leaks, gaps, holes, entire section collapse and even attract bugs and insects.
You may notice a dustier home, including visible airborne dust.
Higher Energy Bills
Feeling drafts or cold spots in different areas of your home may be caused by old, leaky, or insufficient ductwork, which in turn causes the HVAC system to work longer and harder. The more the HVAC system runs, the higher the utility bills.
Compromised or Poor Indoor Air Quality
If the air seems stale or stuffy, it may be a result of inefficient air flow and circulation due to old ductwork.
Holes, leaks, or gaps typically found in old ductwork allow more pollutants such as pollen and dust to escape the HVAC filtering system.
It’s also possible for mold to settle in old ductwork which spells health disasters for anyone with allergies or upper respiratory conditions. Mold spores and mycotoxins found in active mold are airborne particles more easily distributed throughout your home via old ductwork. You can recognize mold by an unpleasant musty odor which pungently permeates the air.
Time for Duct Replacement
If you suspect that a lot of air quality, high energy bills and health concerns may be coming from old ductwork, call your local HVAC company to schedule an inspection.
Once professional HVAC technicians inspect and analyze the condition of your entire distribution system, they’ll be able to make solid recommendations to improve overall HVAC efficiency throughout your home.
Conclusion
When old or insufficient ductwork is affecting your health, comfort, and pocketbook, don’t put off its inevitable replacement.
In Sonoma County, call the experts at Dale HCS for professional repair or replacement recommendations for your HVAC distribution system.