In this article…
- When Do I Need To Repair My Ductwork?
- When Do I Need To Replace My Ductwork?
- Ductwork Repair Vs. Ductwork Replacement: Which Option Is Right For Me?
Your ductwork is responsible for transferring air from your home, into your HVAC system for conditioning, and back into your home. If your ductwork isn’t up to par, it decreases the efficiency of your entire system.
But, how do you know if your ductwork has lost efficiency? When do you need duct replacement instead of repair?
The last thing you want is to waste money on constant duct repairs only to need full duct replacement soon.
You want to fix your ducts once and the right way to improve their efficiency and keep your AC running smoothly and effectively. However, you don’t want to spend to have your ducts replaced if you can get by with a repair.
Luckily for you, we’re here to help.
At Wright AC Services, we offer high-quality duct repair and replacement services for all San Antonio homeowners, and we’ve been doing it since 1979.
We provide manual duct sealant and minor repairs as well as Aeroseal to seal your ducts from the inside, providing your system with higher efficiency and your home with improved indoor air quality.
While we also offer full duct replacements, we aren’t here to sell you on one option or the other. We’re here to provide unbiased information regarding your damaged ducts to help guide you to the best decision on whether you need duct repair or duct replacements.
This article will look at damages that warrant duct repair versus a full replacement and when you should go with one or the other. We’ll also explore the cost of repairing and replacing your ducts and next steps to fixing your ductwork.
When Do I Need To Repair My Ductwork?
Because ductwork is an essential component of your home and HVAC system, ensuring it is maintained and free of damage is crucial to the comfort of your home.
If you’ve noticed a decline in your system’s efficiency or lack of airflow throughout your home, you want to know if your ductwork is to blame.
What To Look Out For That Indicates You Need Duct Repair
The best way to know if you need duct repair is to do a visual inspection of the ductwork in your attic. If you notice…
- Rips or tears along the ductwork
- Separation between ducts and supply plenums
- Broken or poor insulation around ductwork
Duct repair is needed. If ductwork is less than 10 years old and only has a few signs of damage, manually seal the ductwork with aluminum foil tape and sealant on top to reseal the ductwork as best as possible.
If your ductwork is over 10-20 years old, there is most likely damage along your ducts, and either major repairs or a full ductwork replacement.
If you want to take sealing your ducts to the next level, you may want to invest in Aeroseal, which is specialized duct sealant technology that seals your ducts from the inside, reducing air leakage up to 80%.
Repairing your ducts with manual duct sealant and Aeroseal will provide you with a robust duct repair solution, increasing your system’s efficiency and the comfort of your home.
Read more about manual duct sealant versus Aeroseal and which duct repair is better for you!
How Much Does Ductwork Repair Cost?
The cost to repair your ductwork depends on a variety of factors, such as the condition of your ducts, the age of your ductwork, the size of your home, and how many receiving and return vents you have in the home.
- To repair ductwork with manual duct sealant, the average cost is around $500 – $1,500 including the cost of installation, labor, and warranty.
- Sealing your ducts with Aeroseal can cost anywhere between $2,000 – $5,000 depending on the quality of installation and size of ductwork.
Manual duct repair is the more cost-effective solution for duct repair, however, if you recently bought your home or your ductwork is only a few years old, sealing it with Aeroseal is a worthy investment to keep your ducts in good health and maintain the efficiency of your system.
Why You Should Repair Your Ductwork
Damaged ductwork, no matter how small, decreases the efficiency of your system, allowing air to escape through any separations, rips, or tears. This means your system has to work twice as hard to heat and cool your home when needed.
When the efficiency of your HVAC system is compromised, it uses more energy for the same desired outcome, costing you more in energy bills over time.
Additionally, the longer you continue to use your system with damaged ductwork and the harder it works, you risk damaging other components within your system, creating more costly repairs or replacements in the future.
Repairing your ductwork at the first sign of damage is important to maintain your ductwork and your HVAC system. The longer you let damage fester, the worse it will continue to become, and the more costly it will be.
When Do I Need To Replace My Ductwork?
Opting to repair your ductwork is (obviously) the first choice rather than replacing all your ducts. However, if your ducts are extremely old and damaged, a full replacement may be the only way to go.
You now know when you should improve your ductwork with repairs, but when do you absolutely need to replace your ductwork?
What To Look Out For That Indicates You Need Your Ductwork Replaced
It can be tempting to continue to repair your ductwork over and over again to avoid biting the bullet and replacing it all. But, the continuous wear and tear on already damaged ducts only makes it worse, creating more costly repairs and a full replacement in the future.
Additionally, if you keep repairing old, worn-out ductwork, you’re actually wasting money with little to no results in the efficiency of your system.
It’s time to replace your ductwork if…
- Your ductwork is over 15-20 years old
- Your ducts have significant damage, including tears and breaking points
- You notice a lack of airflow throughout your home
- Your energy bills have significantly risen over the years
- You’ve noticed a large increase in dust around your home
When ductwork is greatly damaged, it greatly decreases the efficiency of your system by decreasing proper airflow throughout your home.
If you’ve noticed your HVAC system working overtime to cool and heat your home or see the visual deterioration of your ducts, having a professional inspect and provide an expert opinion will lead you in the right direction.
Why You Should Replace Your Ductwork
The older, worn, and damaged your ducts are, the more exposed they are to outside air. This allows the conditioned air to become contaminated and sent back into your home instead of the clean, filtered air meant to.
Large cracks and separation can allow dust, debris, and attic insulation into your ductwork to disperse throughout your home, decreasing indoor air quality and health.
On top of the dust and health problems, the more damaged your ductwork is, the less efficient your system is, meaning you are spending much more energy and money to maintain the comfort of your home.
Your ductwork is responsible for transferring air to and from your home. If they are not in the proper condition, you’ll notice it in your energy bills and your home’s comfort.
How Much Does A Ductwork Replacement Cost?
Similar to repairing ductwork, the cost to replace your ductwork varies on the size of your current ductwork and home, the degree of difficulty for labor, and the quality of installation.
The starting cost of a full duct replacement is around $4,000 – $6,000, including labor and installation.
Now, we understand this is not a small project, and the price can be a little daunting at first. This is why it is important to compare the cost of repairing ductwork versus replacing your entire ductwork.
Think about how much you have already spent on ductwork repairs. It may be in the hundreds. It may even be close to thousands.
Paying to replace your entire ductwork if it is needed will help your HVAC system run more efficiently, improve its lifespan and system health, and create a noticeable difference in your home’s comfort.
Ductwork Repair Vs. Ductwork Replacement: Which Option Is Right For Me?
Now that you know what to look out for that indicates you need ductwork repair or replacement, how much each of them costs, and why it’s important to maintain your ducts, you understand the important role your ductwork plays in your entire HVAC system and how damaged ducts decreases its overall efficiency.
Your ductwork is like the lungs in your body. It keeps air moving in and out of your HVAC system and through your home to maintain its indoor air quality and comfort.
If your ductwork is damaged, even just a little bit, it reduces the efficiency of your entire system, making it work harder for the same results and costing you more in energy and money.
When you inspect your ducts and notice any sign of damage, it’s important to know when you need some simple repairs and when you need a full replacement.
Duct repair may be the right solution for you if you notice…
- Rips or tears along the ductwork
- Separation between ducts and supply plenums
- Broken or poor insulation around ductwork
On the flip side, replacing your entire ductwork may be the right choice if…
- Your ductwork is over 15-20 years old
- Your ducts have significant damage, including tears and breaking points
- You notice a lack of airflow throughout your home
- Your energy bills have significantly risen over the years
- You’ve noticed a large increase in dust around your home
If you aren’t sure if you need ductwork repair or a full replacement, consulting with a professional HVAC company is the best way to get the answers you’re looking for.
But, we understand that finding a trustworthy company to provide you with the right guidance can be difficult. You want to know what to look for in a quality HVAC company that indicates they will take care of your HVAC and your home.
To help you find the right company for your project, check out this article that outlines 12 things to look for in a high-quality HVAC company, including their longevity of business, certified technicians, listening to your concerns, and more.
Looking For A Trustworthy San Antonio HVAC Company?
Whether you need ductwork repair or an HVAC tune-up, Wright AC Services is here for all your comfort needs, and we’ve been doing it since 1979.
Our skilled, certified technicians treat your home with care, skillfully diagnose your problem, and provide you with the best solutions. We aren’t here to pressure you into one choice or another – all we’re here to do is help.
No matter how big or small your project, schedule your appointment with Wright AC Services today. Treating people Wright!
