18 Oct Homeowner’s Guide to Air Duct Maintenance & Repair

Clean air is one of the most important things that people need. Since we sleep in our homes and spend so much time in them, it’s of utmost importance to make sure that our air ducts function well and are as clean as possible. Here’s a homeowner’s guide to air duct maintenance and repair.

What Is the HVAC System?

The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system is a way to manage thermal interior conditions while maintaining safe air quality. Most rooms in the house will have at least a supply vent and sometimes a return vent. The supply vent brings in either the heated or cooled air, and the return vent sucks up air from the room to bring it back into the system for filtering. Clean rooms, such as those in food production or medical research, depend on HVAC systems to keep the air as pure as possible.

How Do You Know When Your Air Ducts Need Repairs?

There are many ways to tell if you need to conduct some TLC. For one, if you notice minimal airflow coming from the supply vent, that could be a sign of a clogged vent. You may need to do some duct cleaning. Other signs that your ducts need repairs are higher-than-average utility bills, a single room that is much cooler or warmer than the rest of the house, or an air filter that needs replacing every month.

Common Air Duct Issues

Besides the dirtiness, there are a few more problems that affect how air ducts function. The first is a lack of adequate insulation. Unfortunately, this forces the HVAC system to work in overdrive. Another issue is the presence of leaks, which could appear due to a rodent or bird inhabiting the ducts or improper installation. Uneven airflow and pressure are common problems that a blocked register or irregular flow can cause. All these issues can necessitate early HVAC repairs or higher utility bills.

By sticking to this homeowner’s guide to air duct maintenance and repair, you’ll prolong the life of your home and all its HVAC components.