Are Your Air Ducts Hurting Your Home?
Without the ductwork at home, hot and cool air would be unable to get to where it needs to go in order to keep everyone comfortable, no matter the season. HVAC services that take care of this ductwork are priceless, especially in cases where the HVAC unit isn’t working as efficiently as it should be.
Instead of dealing with issues like increased costs and a home that isn’t as hot or cold as it should be, it’s important to learn a little about what makes the air duct system work. This way potential ductwork problems can be avoided.
Signs Your Home May Need Ductwork Replacement
Like everything in the home, ductwork doesn’t last forever and will eventually need to be replaced to keep the HVAC unit running smoothly and efficiently. Over time, the normal wear and tear on the system can add up. Being able to recognize some of the common signs of ductwork that needs to be at least evaluated can save money and keep the home comfortable all year round.
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Creeping Utility Bills: Generally, utility bills tend to run about the same on a seasonal basis. However, with old or leaky ductwork, homeowners may see a sudden, otherwise unexplained spike in their heating or cooling bills. Any sudden changes in these bills should trigger a call to an HVAC technician. - Temperature Changes From Room to Room: If certain rooms in the home seem to be not as comfortable as other rooms, ductwork may be to blame. An old, leaky system will start to ineffectively heat and cool the home over time.
- Changes in Indoor Air Quality: An unexpected side effect of aging ductwork is an increase in allergy and asthma symptoms, like coughing, sneezing, and itchy eyes. While this may mean the home needs a ductwork cleaning and not a full replacement, it should still be evaluated by a professional in order to improve your indoor air quality at home.
How Ductwork Cleaning Services Work
Before doing a full replacement, some homeowners elect to have a ductwork cleaning performed. Although called ductwork cleaning, it actually targets the entire HVAC system.
A professional HVAC technician will usually start by evaluating the system as a whole. They then move on to cleaning out the HVAC unit, before moving on to the ceiling, floor, and wall registers and grilles.
After that, strong ductwork cleaning equipment is used to physically clean the inside of the ducts and get rid of any dirt, debris, or other buildups. Homeowners should keep in mind that sometimes ductwork cleaning is only a temporary fix, and replacement may still be needed even after it is complete. It is generally recommended every 3 - 5 years, even without obvious signs of problems, to keep the system running in top shape.
The Cost of Ductwork
While replacing ductwork may look pricey, in the long run, it saves homeowners money in terms of increased utility costs and even healthcare bills.Keeping the home comfortable all year round, and everyone living in it healthy is well worth any expense. Contact a local HVAC technician for additional information about cost and the process of replacing the ductwork in the home.
There are often new options and technology that only a professional will know about, and installation can be difficult for even an experienced homeowner to handle on their own.
About Anderson Heating & Cooling
Anderson Heating & Cooling has been serving the Mentor, Ohio community since 1982. Now the largest in the county, their team of hard-working, professional staff provides exceptional customer service and quality heating and cooling services performed by punctual, highly-qualified technicians.
