When you think about your heating or cooling system, your ductwork might be the last thing that comes to mind. However, ductwork plays a major role in keeping your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Typically, your ductwork should be replaced every 10 to 20 years. Read on to learn more about how you could benefit from having new ductwork installed and how ductwork functions.
1. Increased Energy Savings
When temperatures soar and plummet, your HVAC unit works overtime to make your home more comfortable. If your ducts are old, damaged, sagging, or leaking, you’ll notice a spike in your energy bills. Fully intact ducts can move air more efficiently to every part of your house, which results in a decrease in energy consumption and energy bills.
2. Quieter Operation
Your ducts may begin to bend or sag as they age. As air passes through older ducts, you may notice that your heater or air conditioner sounds louder during operation. Having new ductwork installed could take care of this annoying problem.
3. Better Air Quality
Holes, leaks, bending, or sagging in older ducts can allow potentially harmful substances like dirt, dust, pet dander, and other allergens to continuously circulate throughout your home. If contaminants like these are present in your ducts, chances are you’ll notice a very unpleasant odor inside your home. The interior of compromised ductwork can even be the perfect place for small pests or insects to make their home!
4. Increased Comfort
If your ducts are too small for your home or they’ve become damaged, restricted airflow can make your house feel too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter. Damaged or old ducts can also affect the humidity levels in your home. Having new ductwork installed will help keep temperature levels where they should be.
5. Increased Longevity of Your HVAC System
Air loss from damaged ducts puts more wear and tear on your HVAC system. If you have new ducts installed and your heater or air conditioner doesn’t have to overwork itself as much, the unit will ultimately face less wear and tear. This translates to less of a risk of having to pay for costly repairs or the unit prematurely failing.
How Does Ductwork Function?
An often-overlooked component of any HVAC system, ductwork allows the forced transportation of air inside your home. Your ducts force necessary air from your heating and cooling system and then release excess air to the inside of your house. There are several different ductwork shapes and sizes, but the most common shapes are round, rectangular, and oval.
How Do You Know if Your Ducts Are Failing?
Now that you know how important your ductwork is, it can be helpful to understand when it’s time to have them replaced. One of the biggest signs to watch for is dust coming out of your heater or air conditioner. While a small amount of dust is normal, an increase in dust could indicate a problem. Look around your home – is dust covering your surfaces just a day or two after you’ve dusted? If so, faulty ductwork could be the problem.
Another sign to watch for is unusual noises or smells. Your HVAC system should make minimal noise as it operates, but if the noise level increases, it’s time to have a professional inspect your ducts. Pay attention to rattling or banging sounds. The air coming out of your unit should be odorless, too. A hint of an unusual smell may be an indication that mold, bacteria, or mildew is growing inside of damaged ducts.
Finally, if you’re constantly dealing with maintaining a set temperature, your ducts may be compromised. Temperature swings are a common sign of damaged ductwork. If your ducts are working as they should, you should be able to set the temperature to your preference and your ducts should transfer air throughout your home successfully.
Schedule Top-Notch Heating and Cooling Service
If it’s been a while since you’ve had your ducts inspected, don’t hesitate to contact [company_name] in Meridian for trustworthy heating and cooling service. Committed to top-notch workmanship, we have over 60 years of experience. Whether you have a furnace, heat pump, central air conditioner, or geothermal system, our talented experts are here to provide you with any solution you need. We also specialize in premier indoor air quality, new construction HVAC, commercial, and electrical services. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!