We know that your home’s ducts may not be the most glamorous or fascinating topic you want to talk about, but ductwork is more important than you may realize when it comes to the climate within your home.
You probably don’t think about them it too often, but if they get neglected, they can significantly affect your HVAC system. After all, your air conditioning unit is only as good as the ductwork it uses to distribute the cooled air.
Here’s a couple of issues that are more common than you may think and the problems that come with them!
1. Poor Duct Design
Your duct work can be affected by numerous problems, but one of the most common ones is the design of your ductwork itself.
The design or the installation can both create problems that make it difficult for your HVAC system to maintain the desired temperature in your home, due to lack of airflow in the system. This can lead to ineffective and inefficient performance from your HVAC system.
2. Leaking Ductwork
Ductwork leakage is normal, but overtime the amount of circulated air that is leaked before reaching its intended destination increases.
When more air flow comes out through leaks, the less efficient your ductwork is which affects your bill. To rectify this issue, have your ducts sealed which allows your HVAC system to do less work and save you more money.
3. Loose Registers and Grilles
The rooms throughout your home are connected to the ducts by registers and grilles. These are the grates on the floor, walls, and ceilings where the air comes out.
Loose registers and grilles can cause air leakage behind the walls of floors, causing energy inefficiencies in your system.
A couple of loose registers may not make that much of a difference, but multiple loose registers can begin to create issues. If you haven’t replaced your registers or grilles, especially in older homes, you may want to check them. This is especially important for registers and grilles on the floor in high traffic areas in your home that have a higher chance of being bumped by chairs or moving guests.
4. Dirty Ductwork
The EPA estimates that the air quality inside your home can often be much worse that the air outside your house.
When your ductwork is dirty, it makes it difficult for your HVAC to do its job and improve your air quality. Keeping your ductwork clean is crucial for healthy air quality as dirt, allergens, and other pollutants accumulate in your ductwork.
5. Non-Insulated Ductwork
Leaks aren’t the only culprit of inefficiency within your ductwork system. Ductwork without proper insulation can’t effectively regulate the high temperatures of summer and the low temperatures of winter.
Without proper insulation your ductwork system will have to work harder to regulate the temperatures inside your home which will cost you more money.
Getting Help with Ductwork
If you aren’t sure about your duct system, a good way to approach it is by symptoms. If your system is running inefficiently or your air quality is poor, reach out to an HVAC professional to take a look at your ductwork.
If you have any more questions, we would be more than happy to help address any questions or concerns you may have!
