Common Signs of Leaks in AC Ductwork
Uneven room temperatures are an obvious indicator that air is escaping your ductwork, forcing your HVAC system to work harder and longer just to reach the desired temperature. Hence, there are increased energy costs and possibly additional repairs. The best option? Hire an HVAC technician. They will visually inspect all ductwork that you can reach in your attic or crawl space for any gaps and connections that require sealing. Here are some common signs of leaky air ducts.
High Energy Bills
An increase in energy bills without an associated weather event or higher system usage often indicates leaky ducts, as heated or cooled air escapes through gaps. This forces your AC unit to work harder to keep temperatures uniform throughout your home. But, the maintenance can reduce the energy bills significantly!
Poor installation and natural wear and tear are two potential sources of duct leakage. Using improper materials to seal connections (regular tape is one such example) may further compromise its integrity.
Professional repairs repair small leaks or loose connections. They properly seal using mastic sealant or metal tape and preserve indoor air quality and energy efficiency while protecting HVAC investments against further issues.
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Excessive Dust & Air Duct Leaks
If your home remains dusty despite frequent cleaning efforts, this could be caused by an air conditioning system with dirty filters or leaking ducts. This prevents fresh air from reaching all corners of the space, leading to dust accumulation and poor indoor air quality.
Upgraded air filters with higher MERV ratings or HEPA filters can help decrease dust accumulation by trapping smaller particles like pet dander and skin flakes that standard fiberglass filters miss.
Leaky ducts allow dust from unconditioned spaces like crawlspaces and attics to enter your HVAC system and spread throughout the home, contributing to poor indoor air quality. Routine duct cleaning is key to creating a cleaner, healthier living environment.
Poor Air flow When Air Ducts are leaking
When air isn’t flowing through your vents correctly, your space may feel stagnant and stuffy. In these conditions, it may be worthwhile having your ductwork checked.
Dirty blower motors can also reduce airflow. The blower, located within your air handler, draws air in before running it over an evaporator coil to cool it before sending it back out through your vents.
Leaky ducts can impede airflow, increasing energy bills. Air that should reach your vents could escape into spaces like attics and crawl spaces before reaching them. Sealing these leaks is important to improve efficiency.
Higher Utility Bills Because of an Air Duct Leak
Your HVAC system uses ductwork to distribute air throughout your home. However, leaky ducts allow air to escape before reaching occupied rooms, causing your heater and air conditioner to work harder to reach your ideal temperature setting.
An increase in energy bills could be a sure sign that your ductwork needs attention. Foil-backed duct tape may provide temporary solutions. However, professional technicians with their training and high-grade sealing materials can offer lasting fixes to your heating and cooling system by properly sealing HVAC air ducts to prevent further conditioned air leaks.
Frequent HVAC Repairs
If your air duct system has been cycling on and off more often than usual, it could be indicative of duct leakage issues in your home. As it must work harder to provide cooling for the space, it will result in higher energy bills for cooling purposes.
Leaky ducts waste energy and reduce cool air quality by disseminating outdoor pollutants and dust into your living environment. By identifying and correcting leaky ducts, we can help you lower utility bills while avoiding costly repairs that would have otherwise been required.
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Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Pests
Gaps and cracks in your home’s ductwork provide shelter for pests. Small openings allow insects to crawl inside while larger holes admit rodents that chew through refrigerant lines and other components. As these pests leave droppings behind, their droppings circulate throughout your home, aggravating allergies while decreasing indoor air quality.
An inspection of both outdoor and indoor HVAC components often reveals signs of infestation, such as gnaw marks, nesting materials, or unexplained fur clumps. There are steps you can take to limit pest invasions without professional extermination services; for instance, using wire mesh covers on exterior vents and caulk to seal small gaps and cracks are two effective means.
Strange Noises For Duct Joints
Popping noises are an indicator that air ductwork is leaking air. They’re caused by metal expanding and contracting as temperature changes occur, or by loose duct joints vibrating loose.
At the junction between your plenum and duct trunk, temperature fluctuations often produce abrupt temperature changes that cause drastic temperature shifts; without sufficient dampers or expansion joints at this junction, loud booming noises may result in loud booming sounds that reverberate throughout your home.
Conclusion
Leaky ductwork might seem like a minor issue, but over time, it can lead to higher energy bills, reduced comfort, poor indoor air quality, and even damage to your HVAC system. Addressing duct leaks promptly ensures your home stays comfortable, your air stays clean, and your HVAC system operates at peak performance.
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