Has your ductwork been inspected lately? If not, having it looked over is a good idea. Duct systems can show significant deterioration after as little as 10 years of use, depending upon the quality of the materials used at installation. If your duct system has been in place since the home was constructed, chances are that its design and materials were chosen with more regard for cost than quality, which means they may be developing problems that can affect air quality, comfort and energy costs in your home.
So how do you tell if your ductwork needs repair or replacement? The best way to find out is to have your duct system inspected by your HVAC technician. However, if you’re hesitant to call your HVAC contractor without knowing that there’s cause for concern, you can check for telltale signs of duct deterioration on your own.
- Do a visual inspection of exposed ducts, generally found in the attic, basement or crawl space. Pay special attention to joints and seams, looking for deteriorating duct tape, gaps where joints have loosened or seams that have come apart completely, leaving ducts disconnected. Also look for crumbling duct insulation and holes, rust or corrosion in all visible air ducts.
- Check vents in each room of the house. Rooms that have weaker airflow than others may be served by damaged, collapsed or disconnected vents. Temperature differences from one vent to another can indicate leaky ducts or spans of ductwork that have lost their insulation.
- If you discover potential problems, your next step is a professional evaluation of your duct system to determine whether it’s time to replace or repair your home’s ductwork. Typically, a duct blower test will be performed to evaluate duct performance, which uses a blower fan to pressurize the system and sensors to measure airflow, allowing your technician to calculate the rate of air leakage.
For more information on keeping your ductwork in good shape, please contact Cox Air Conditioning & Heating. We’ve been serving homeowners throughout the Clearwater, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Palm Harbor,Trinity and West Chase areas since 1958.
