One key component of your HVAC system is the ductwork it has hidden away in your home’s walls and ceilings. Ductwork is vital for your heating and cooling, but air ducts often have problems that cause inefficient heating, cooling and other issues. Here are several things to know about a poorly designed air duct system and the problems it causes.
The Purpose and Role of Air Ducts
If you have a forced air furnace, the furnace heats and cools your home by forcing air into the rooms through air ducts. When an HVAC company installs a furnace in a new home, they place the air ducts in hidden areas of the home, such as the walls and ceilings.
The air ducts transfer conditioned air to your home, and this is what heats and cools your home in the summer and winter. Without air ducts, you could not have an air conditioning system.
When installing a system, the HVAC technicians try to design it in a way that the air ducts offer the most efficiency. This typically involves keeping the air duct spans as short as possible. In other words, they try to run the ducts straight to the rooms, instead of having twists and turns along the way.
Common Problems with Air Ducts
While your system needs air ducts for it to cool and heat your home, the air ducts in your home can experience problems that prevent them from doing their job properly and efficiently. Here are some common problems that cause inefficiency with air ducts:
- Improper design – If the HVAC company that installed the system did not design it properly, the system might not work efficiently. Improper design often refers to air ducts having to transport air too far. Technicians should design a system so the ducts travel shorter spans, if at all possible.
- Leaks or gaps in air ducts – Air ducts can develop holes over time, and two pieces joined together can separate. If this happens, leaks form and air seeps from them. This means that less conditioned air travels into the rooms of your home, and this creates higher energy bills and a lot of wasted energy.
- Lack of insulation on air ducts – HVAC technicians should also insulate air ducts. Insulation helps the ducts hold more air, which means they operate more efficiently. If your ducts do not have insulation, you are probably losing a lot of conditioned air.
These are some common problems homeowners experience with air ducts, but there are ways to fix these problems.
The Benefits Offered Through Redesigning and Fixing Air Ducts
To determine what is wrong with your air ducts, a technician will thoroughly look at the entire system. The technician will then decide what to do to improve the efficiency of your system. This may involve repairing leaks or replacing sections of your ductwork. It can also involve insulating the ducts the technician can access.
After the technician makes the necessary repairs, you will notice several key things:
- It will be easier to heat and cool your home
- Your energy bills will drop
- Your home’s temperature will be more comfortable
If the technician notices that your ducts are dirty, he or she will recommend cleaning them. Air ducts often contain mold, mildew, dust and pet dander. If you want cleaner air in your home, you should consider getting the ducts cleaned if they are dirty.
If you feel that your air ducts might have problems, contact Custom Comfort. We can investigate your air duct system, locate problems and make the necessary repairs. Contact our friendly team today to schedule an appointment at a time that’s convenient for you.