Ask Art: How Do I Know If I Need A Duct Repair?
Your HVAC system controls the quality of the air throughout your home, and so the need for HVAC repair and maintenance is imperative to ensure top quality air. Air ducts are a very important component of your HVAC system and their need for maintenance or repair should not be overlooked.
Did you know that 25% of the air in your HVAC ductwork is lost due to poorly fitted ducts and leaks? This can result in your HVAC system having to working harder and you spending hundreds of extra dollars on energy bills each year. Staying on top of duct repairs and maintenance is crucial if you want to avoid these extra energy costs, and even more, hefty repair bills later down the line.
The importance of having clean air ducts has also been identified as crucial to improving indoor air quality throughout your home. Damaged ducts can push toxic air through your HVAC system, putting your family’s health at risk.
Signs You Need A Duct Repair
Some signs of a duct repair are not visibly obvious, so they can be difficult to spot. Here Art explains five major signs to look out for to help you figure out if you might be in need of a duct repair.
1. Dust Around Air Vents
If you see dust or dirt start to gather around your air vents, it is a sure sign that there is an issue with the filtration in your air ducts. Your HVAC system circulates air throughout the duct system, collecting dirt and dust from your home and filtering it out with the help of the removable filters.
If there is a leak in your ducts, the dirt can reach the HVAC machinery, causing it to break down over time. If you find dust or dirt starting to collect around your air vents, Art recommends calling one of our professionals to perform duct repair or maintenance.
2. Higher Energy Bills
A sudden and unprecedented spike in energy bills means that your HVAC system is working harder than it should. This could be because of a leak in your air ducts, or that the ducts weren’t fitted properly in the first place. The best thing to do in this case is to call in a professional to look at your ducts and determine if they need to be repaired or replaced.
Art recommends conducting annual maintenance on your HVAC system to make sure it is working efficiently, and to avoid more costly repairs or energy bills later down the line.
3. Damp Smells In Your Home
Mold and mildew issues can develop due to poorly insulated ducts, causing a damp smell to filter throughout your home. Mold and mildew can start to appear on your air ducts due to uneven temperatures coming from your HVAC system. A funky smell will start to fill your home when the air is pushed through the vents.
Mold and mildew not only make an unpleasant smell throughout your home. It’s also linked to a lot of respiratory health problems and can start to deteriorate your furniture overtime. Art recommends that you call in a professional right away to inspect your ducts if you start to smell mold in your home.
4. Strange Sounds Coming From Your Ducts
If you start to hear strange sounds like whistling or banging metal, then it is probably coming from your HVAC system. These sounds are likely caused by excess air flow or uneven air pressure within your ducts. Any strange sounds coming from your ducts are a sign they are in need of a repair or a thorough cleaning.
Remember, your HVAC system is intricate, and any repair or maintenance should be performed by a professional to avoid damage or higher repair costs.
5. Uneven Temperatures Throughout Your Home
If you’re noticing that the temperature seems to vary from room to room throughout your home, then it could be a sign your ductwork is in need of a repair. Your ducts could be blocked by a buildup of excess dirt, or even an animal infestation. This can cause a disturbance in the airflow to a particular room resulting in it feeling warmer than the rest of your home.
The opposite could happen if there is a leak or crack in your ducts, causing excess air flow to a particular room resulting in certain rooms feeling cooler than others.
Who Should I Call If I Think I Need A Duct Repair?
If you start to see, hear, or smell any of these signs that you need a duct repair, the best way to deal with the problem is to contact Art Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electric for an inspection of your ducts. Our professionals are experts at performing duct repair and maintenance, so you can feel confident that your AC unit is in good hands.
