One of the things homeowners rarely think about is their ductwork. It’s out of sight and, all too often, out of mind. But it has a bigger impact than you might realize! If you haven’t been paying attention to your ducts, it’s always a good idea to have them professionally inspected to see what’s going on in there. And sometimes, there are signs you can spot which indicate that there’s definitely a problem.
HVAC duct leaks are all too common, caused by anything from nibbling rodents to stray home improvement nails and screws to simple deterioration with age. What happens if your ducts are leaking? And what are the signs of an HVAC duct leak? We’ll explain everything.
Loss of Heated and Cooled Air
It might seem wildly unreasonable, but it’s estimated that in the average American home, the ducts are so leaky that 30% of heated and cooled air is lost. It simply escapes, ending up in places where you don’t need climate control, like between your walls, or in your attic. This means most people are paying a great deal more than they should for their AC and heat.
Other Consequences of Duct Leaks
In addition to that cost, duct leaks impact your air quality. Air doesn’t just flow out of the ducts; thanks to the air pressure in the system, it can suck air into the ducts through gaps and holes. And that air has been in dirty places full of sawdust, spider webs, rodent droppings, insulation fibers and more. You don’t want that coming out of your vents with your heat and AC!
Furthermore, it puts additional strain on your heating system and air conditioner. Problems with air pressure, particles and fibers being pulled in, and loss of heated and cooled air leading to excessive use of the systems all increase your likelihood of needing repairs. What’s more, they decrease the lifespan of your systems, forcing you to replace your heater or AC unit sooner than you should have to.
Signs of Leaky Ductwork
In general, you should have your ducts checked out by an HVAC professional every few years. But there are some signs to keep watch for which would indicate that you’ve got leaks that should be sealed promptly.
- Sounds: When you whistle, you make a small opening with your lips and force air through. If your ducts are whistling, there must be an opening where air is escaping. Rattling can also occur with loose or disconnected ducts.
- Smells: Rodents and insects are common causes of duct damage. They can cause your heated and cooled air to smell like garbage, or like a hamster cage badly in need of cleaning. A sour odor from bacteria or a mildew smell can also occur.
- Dust: An excess of dust around the house, or specifically dust coming from the vents, can indicate that particles are being pulled into the ducts from dirty places like between your walls.
- Performance: Uneven heat or cooling or inadequate airflow from one or more ducts suggest that repairs are needed.
- Efficiency: If you’re losing heated and cooled air, your energy bills will be too high.
- Visible Problems: If you can see kinks, collapsed or crumpled sections, or anything wrong with your ducts, you’re definitely in need of HVAC repair in Tucson, AZ.
Contact Picture Rocks Cooling, Heating & Plumbing today with any questions or to schedule an appointment with our professionals.