30 Mar 5 Most Common HVAC Ductwork Problems To Avoid
Ductwork is one of the most important components in heating and cooling systems. It delivers heated or cooled air from the HVAC system throughout your home. Unfortunately, ductwork can be prone to various problems that can lead to a loss in energy efficiency and poor indoor air quality. Here, we will discuss the five most common HVAC ductwork problems to avoid.
Improper Design
Improper design is one of the most common ductwork problems in homes. The signs of an improper design can include poor air circulation, uneven temperatures throughout the home, and higher-than-normal energy bills. An improperly designed system can cause a decrease in airflow due to sharp bends or long runs that are too narrow for efficient flow. Additionally, there may be blockages caused by debris buildup within the ducts or connected components, such as registers and grilles, that restrict air movement.
Poor Insulation
Poor insulation is another common problem with ductwork that can lead to a decrease in energy efficiency. Signs of poor insulation include a lack of warm or cool air in certain areas, drafts from the vents and registers, and higher energy bills. Without proper insulation on your ducts, you will lose heated or cooled air through the walls before it reaches its intended destination. This issue reduces the efficiency of your system, as your home must use more energy to compensate for this loss.
Leaking Ducts
Leaking ducts can cause several issues, so you should address this problem immediately. Common signs that your ducts are leaking include increased dust and allergens in the air, excessive humidity levels, higher energy bills due to wasted energy escaping through the leaks, and uneven temperatures throughout the home. Leaks can also allow mold or other contaminants into the ductwork, leading to poor indoor air quality. Leaks occur when there’s a break or tear in the sealant between sections of metal ductwork or joints where two pieces of material meet (such as rigid insulation boards).
Insufficient Airflow
Another common problem with ductwork is insufficient airflow. This issue can happen for many reasons: blockages due to dust, dirt, and debris buildup, improper design resulting in sharp turns, or damage from pests trying to enter the system. If left unaddressed for too long, inadequate airflow can lead to higher energy bills as your HVAC system has to work harder than necessary to deliver enough heated/cooled air throughout your home. A lack of air circulation can cause poor indoor air quality due to trapped pollutants becoming stagnant.
Dirty Ductwork
Dirty ductwork can cause several issues that affect your home’s efficiency and air quality. One of the most common signs that your ducts need cleaning is an increase in dust and other airborne particles. Other symptoms include increased humidity levels due to moisture buildup within the system, higher energy bills from wasted energy escaping through leaks, and uneven temperatures throughout different rooms.
Now that you know five common HVAC duct issues to watch for, you can recognize these problems if they arise in your home. And if you need residential duct cleaning services, contact Duct Squads.