For most of us, we may get caught up in our daily slew of activities and end up forgetting about a key component in our homes. Often, we forget about our HVAC system’s maintenance. It’s essential to understand the signs of when your HVAC unit is having problems and seek professional help from companies like BEST Air Conditioning Plumbing Repair. We specialize in air conditioning and repair in Las Vegas and the surrounding areas. Air ducts play a significant role in ensuring your HVAC systems’ efficiency and optimal operation by facilitating proper airflow channeling across your homes’ rooms.
The Essence of Air Ducts
When considering your HVAC system, you should not overlook the ducts. Ducts primarily aid in distributing air to all the rooms in your home, whether it’s cool or warm air.
Poorly installed or worn-out ducts greatly reduce the efficiency due to loss of air pressure. As a result, your HVAC unit will be overworked, leading to a spike in the energy bill. Usually, ducts are designed to last for years and can last around 15- 20 years. They are made of a combination of either plastic materials or fiberglass.
However, your ducts are bound to wear out at some point, and what follows is the inevitable repair. Damaged ducts can cause uneven heat distribution within your household and you will end up with cold and hot patches within some rooms. Regular maintenance will save you the hustle associated with unexpected breakdowns.
Statistics depict that over 205 of air is lost within your ductwork as a result of poorly installed ducts or leakages. This translates into a significant amount of money lost through repairs. Fortunately, there are solutions to this kind of predicament. You can either opt to repair your air ducts or replace them. It’s imperative to take action in good time before your ducts are on the verge of collapsing.
Below, is a detailed list of the signs to look for to determine when it’s time to replace your air ducts.
1. Noisy Operation
Normally, the HVAC system’s design allows for a certain amount of noise to be produced while it’s operational. However, if your system abruptly starts producing unwarranted noise, it could be an obvious sign that there is a problem. The presence of rattling sounds within the ductwork or excessive vibration during cooling or heating signifies the need for an inspection.
Due to the nature of the fiberglass joints and plastic sections, they often contribute to the rattling noise when damaged. Additionally, holes within the system produce howling sounds as the air circulates within.
2. Upsurge Costs in Energy Bills
In normal circumstances, the ducts have a small margin of about 20% of air loss as the airflow happens. However, an increase from that will ultimately lead to your HVAC system being overworked, and you will notice a spike in your energy bill.
When you turn up the thermostat to warm up your house, your home’s temperature will increase but not sufficiently as required, meaning the system has lost its optimal efficiency.
To counter the heat loss, the HVAC system must work harder and will consume more energy, which is reflected in your energy bill.
3. Uneven Heating or Cooling
You might notice the presence of unevenly heated rooms within the house, with hot and warm spots. The differential in the temperature, in most cases, is a result of faulty ducts that are insufficiently distributing air throughout the house.
It’s possible to analyze your HVAC heating efficiency by using a thermometer to measure the temperature of some areas. If the readings are off the scale, it’s time to have a professional perform an inspection. Leakages are a significant contributor to heat loss within the HVAC units.
4. Accumulation of Dust Within Your House
Eliminating dust within the house can be a daunting task or almost next to impossible. However, the accumulation of too much dust all of a sudden is an outright indication that something is amiss within your air circulation system.
Dust from the outside can quickly get inside through the surface holes on your ductwork. As a result, the ductwork then pushes the dust to the vents and eventually disperses it into the house.
This occurrence, in turn, could lead to occupants of the house sneezing more than often. And when this happens, you should have your ducts inspected and repaired before a complete overhaul of the HVAC system becomes inevitable.
5. Moldy Smells Within the House
The presence of moldy smells and mildew is often associated with poorly connected or insulated ducts. Both of these occur due to uneven temperatures between the inside and outside of your HVAC ductwork.
As the warm air travels along cold ducts, condensation may happen. And over time, mold and mildew may start growing and developing. When air passes over the growth, you’ll smell it throughout your house.
Mold and mildew are bound to cause unfathomable health problems and deteriorate your furniture’s state. Regular inspection is advisable to know when to replace or repair your ducts.
6. Pest Infestation
Leaks and holes are the leading causes of pest infestation within your house. Through the holes, the pests find entry points into the duct system and establish colonies, resulting in myriads of problems. The range of issues associated with pest infiltration includes unpleasant smells, spreading of bacteria, and noises in the night.
In a worst-case scenario, the bugs and rodents can cause a total blockage of your ducts, rendering them unoperational. To avoid this situation, it’s essential to schedule a thorough inspection and cleaning.
7. Tangled Ducts
Tangled ducts are an obvious indication that it’s time to have the ducts replaced. Tangled ducts affect smooth airflow, which in turn affects the efficiency of the HVAC unit. The possible reasons that can lead to tangled ducts include a tree branch that falls or an impact from something else, leading to bending or twisting of this necessary HVAC component. Ducts are not designed to withstand heavy impacts and may develop holes and cuts in the process.
8. Signs of Debris Around the Vents
When the air circulation is dirty and constantly pushed along the duct walls, it may leave visible debris within and outside of the ducts. The debris accumulates pet hair, small insects, dirt, and dust, eventually causing an aesthetic problem. This is a sign that cleaning and inspection are warranted.
9. Old Ducts
Like the AC unit, air ducts are designed to last for years and can be in service for upwards of 15 years. However, the seal joints become susceptible to wear and tear and need to be replaced with time.
At BEST Air Conditioning Plumbing Repair, our technicians specialize in heating, cooling and plumbing services in Las Vegas. Whether you need your ducts replaced or you need comprehensive AC or heating service, our technicians can help.
Contact BEST Air Conditioning Plumbing Repair today for more information.
