In this article…
- 5 Common Ductwork Problems And Solutions
- How To Measure The Efficiency Of Your Ductwork
- Repairing Ductwork For Optimal Efficiency And Longevity
No matter the time of year, whether winter or spring, maintaining your home’s comfort is essential, and it all boils down to how well your HVAC system is functioning.
An HVAC system is composed of many integral parts, including the right thermostat, outdoor condenser, furnace, and, of course, the ductwork.
Your ductwork plays a fundamental part in transferring conditioned air into your home and keeping you comfortable. If your ducts are not in proper shape, you waste energy and money attempting to heat or cool your home to the optimal temperature.
But, how do you know if your ductwork is efficient? If damaged, do you need to repair or replace them? How much would that cost?
These are just a few questions we’ll answer in this article.
As the trusted San Antonio HVAC experts since 1979, Wright Home Services specializes in full HVAC system replacements, indoor air quality upgrades, and ductwork repair and replacements.
Our certified technicians are here to properly inspect your system, diagnose the problem, and provide you with the best solution for you.
When it comes to your ductwork, knowing what to look for to measure the efficiency is important to know when you need duct repair or replacement and what steps to take next.
This article will outline common problems that may occur in ductwork, how to measure your ductwork’s efficiency, and when you need to repair or replace your ducts.
After reading, you will then know whether you need duct repair or potentially a full replacement and can find the right HVAC company to get the job done.
5 Common Ductwork Problems And Solutions
Because your ductwork is responsible for transferring air to and from your HVAC system, ensuring they are in excellent condition to maintain comfort and keep your system running efficiently is crucial.
However, there are a few problems you may encounter with your ductwork depending on their age and how long you’ve been in your home you should be aware of.
1. Deterioration due to old age
If you’ve lived in your home for multiple decades or bought an older home built in the 1980s, experiencing deteriorated ductwork due to old age is common.
When your ducts sit up in the hot attic for years and years, the heat will start to eat away at the plastic surrounding the ductwork, exposing the insulation and air ducts. Popular ductwork manufactured in the ‘80s actually fell out of use before the 2000s because of its lack of durability and longevity.
Once your ductwork has deteriorated, leaks and insufficient insulation are the biggest problem. This decreases the efficiency of your system and will only continue to get worse over time.
Solution: Replacing old and deteriorated ductwork is the best solution to ensure the integrity of your system and maintain your home’s comfort.
2. Leaky ducts
Another problem that can come with old or damaged ductwork is leaks. Leaks can occur if your ducts become damaged or separation occurs at connecting points from the ductwork to the supply plenum.
For example, when ductwork is installed and connected to the main supply plenum in the attic or closet unit, it must be sealed properly to avoid air leakage. Prior to new technology and installation practices, ductwork used to be connected to a supply plenum with a zip tie. That’s right – just a large zip tie.
Now, not only is the ductwork connected with a zip tie but with aluminum foil duct tape and duct mastic sealant to create the best seal possible.
Solution: Leaky ducts can be repaired by resealing them with an exterior sealant or sealing the ducts from the inside with Aeroseal.
3. Improper installation
In newly built homes, improper duct installation is another problem that can create problems in your HVAC system.
If ductwork is cheaply or improperly installed, it will reduce the efficiency of your ductwork and limit how well the conditioned air can travel through your system. If the ductwork is not sealed properly during installation either, it creates leaky ducts.
When new homes are built, the ductwork must be inspected to ensure they are installed properly. If not, the builder should front the expenses to correct mistakes before the home is bought.
Solution: Improperly installed ductwork must be repaired or reinstalled by a professional before the home is purchased.
4. Blocked ductwork from dust buildup
A common problem that affects your ducts, usually from damage or insufficient sealing, is dust and debris buildup in your ductwork.
Dust and dander are typical to enter your ductwork. Even if you regularly change your filters, it does not completely eliminate particles from entering your ductwork.
If there are leaks in your ductwork, it is not installed properly, or excess debris is getting through and around air filters, this can create poor airflow, reduce comfort in your home, and ultimately create efficiency problems in your system that causes irreversible damage. This can also harm and reduce your system’s SEER rating (seasonal energy efficiency rating).
This also greatly decreases your home’s air quality as that dust and dander then recirculates throughout your home with the conditioned air.
Solution: Professional duct cleaning is the best option for ducts that do not need further repair. Duct cleaning will clear your ducts of all excess dust and dander that has accumulated.
5. Microbial growth around ductwork
One tell-tale sign there are leaks in your ductwork is if you notice microbial growth around any part of your ductwork or where the ducts connect to the supply plenum.
Microbial growth occurs when there is excess moisture in the air. If there are leaks in your ductwork, condensation can occur when the cool air leaks from the ductwork into the hot attic. When the cool air meets the hot air, this creates condensation which can foster microbial growth.
If you notice microbial growth around any part of your ductwork, this is a strong indication that leaks are present.
Solution: Along with removing any microbial growth on your ductwork and sealing any leaks with either Aeroseal or manual duct sealant, installing a 24-hour UV light within your HVAC system will help reduce condensation that cultivates microbial growth. A complete indoor air quality system, such as Solaris, is the best way to reduce microbial growth, dust, and allergens throughout your ductwork and indoor unit.
How To Measure The Efficiency Of Your Ductwork
So, you now know four common problems with your home’s air ducts and the proper solutions, but how do you know if your ducts are damaged or ruining the efficiency of your system?
If you’ve noticed your home isn’t cooling or heating as well as it used to, higher energy bills, or an increase of dust and dander around the home, the culprit may be your ducts, and you’ll want to have them inspected.
Before calling a certified HVAC company, you can take a look at your ductwork yourself.
How old is your ductwork? Does it appear damaged? Is there any microbial growth on the air vents, ductwork, or around the supply plenum?
If you don’t notice any obvious damage or anything out of the ordinary on your ducts, a professional can inspect and measure the efficiency of your ductwork using an infrared camera that measures the temperature at various points in your home.
Using this tool, the technician will measure the temperature around your ductwork at various points. If one or multiple areas show a cooler temperature around the ductwork, this may indicate a leak, allowing the cooler, conditioned air to escape from your ducts.
- If leaks are minimal, the technician may recommend resealing the ductwork either from the outside with aluminum foil duct tape and sealant or from the inside with Aeroseal technology.
- If the ductwork is torn at multiple points or over 20 years old and in bad shape, replacing all ductwork will be the recommended fix.
Repairing Ductwork For Optimal Efficiency And Longevity
Now that you know five common problems that can occur with your ductwork, their solutions, and how your ducts are measured and tested for efficiency, you have a better understanding of the vital role your ductwork plays in your entire HVAC system and what to look for if you suspect ductwork issues.
Because your ductwork is the mode of transportation for conditioned air to spread throughout your home, if they are old, worn, or have leaks present, you lose money, energy, and efficiency the longer you let problems linger.
If you notice a lack of airflow in certain areas of your home, increased dust and dander, or an overall lack of IAQ and efficiency from your HVAC system, the problem may lie in your ducts. Look out for:
- Old and deteriorated ductwork
- Leaks in your ducts
- Improper installation
- Microbial growth around the ductwork
- Increased dust and debris buildup inside ductwork
If you aren’t sure if your ductwork is to blame for your HVAC problems, having a professional technician come out and inspect your ducts and system is the best course of action.
At Wright Home Services, we’re here to educate you on potential problems with your ductwork and the best solutions so you know what to expect before calling an HVAC company to come out to your home.
While we offer high-quality duct repair and replacement services, we want you to have all the information you need to make a well-educated decision for your HVAC and your home, no matter who you work with.
So, if you’re having problems with your HVAC system and want an inspection or a seasonal tune-up, finding the right company to work with is the first essential step. But you must find the right one that is trustworthy and experienced to ensure you don’t get taken advantage of and potentially lose hundreds of dollars.
To help in your search for the right HVAC company to work with, check out this article that outlines 12 things to look for in a high-quality HVAC company, like the longevity of business, certifications and insurance, and more.
