Addressing Leaky Ductwork in Your AC Unit
Ac maintenance is vital to ensuring the longevity of your heating and cooling unit and maintaining a safe and comfy home environment. To keep the system working smoothly, you should regularly change air filters, remove drapery and furniture that may be blocking air registers, and remove shrubs and debris clogging your outdoor condenser.
Leaking air ducts are also a serious issue that you must address. Here is a look at signs that your ducts are leaking and what you can do to prevent the unnecessary and costly loss of conditioned air.
Signs of leaky ducts
Essentially, the highest percentage of circulating air in your home is lost via leaking ducts. It is therefore crucial that you identify signs of leaky air ducts so you can take corrective measures early on.
Check for exposed ductwork in your attic, crawlspace, and garage, as these areas are often very prone to air loss. You should also look for kinks or sharp bends in the ducts that may indicate damage to the air passages.
Other common signs of leaky ductwork include unreasonably high energy bills, excessive amounts of dust/pollen in your indoor spaces, and rooms that regularly feel stuffy or congested. Loss of conditioned air can also cause imbalances in your indoor temperatures, so be on the lookout for rooms that are difficult to keep warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
Apart from making your home uncomfortable, leaky ducts also allow vapor from household cleaning agents and exhaust fumes from your garage to fill your home. Moisture from outside air can also find its way into the ducts, leading to mold growth. This can be very dangerous for the health of your home occupants, especially for allergy and asthma sufferers.
Is there a fix?
As a damaged duct leaks conditioned air, outside air is usually sucked in to replace it, making your AC work harder to maintain comfortable temperatures. This often causes a spike in energy bills and increased pollutants in your home.
If you suspect that your home ductwork is leaking, do not hesitate to call in an HVAC contractor to come in and fix any air duct inconsistencies. The pros can typically blow air through your AC unit to hunt for leaks, seal penetrations in the attic, replace missing ducts, and straighten out bent ductwork to boost airflow.
These repairs can usually reduce the levels of humidity and dust in your home, boost indoor comfort, and help cut energy bills throughout the year.