The ductwork in your Costal Bend home supplies each room with heated or cooled air, keeping it comfortable. When there are problems with the duct system, your HVAC system is no longer efficient. And you see this reflected in your utility bills. Here are some common duct system problems and what you can do to prevent them.
Duct Leaks
Duct leaks are common in many homes. Over time, connections loosen, and sections develop rips and tears. In badly neglected duct systems, a whole section may become loose. Have your HVAC-system professional check your duct system yearly.
Ductwork Placement
Duct placement is another issue. In older homes, ductwork can be found in the attic, the basement and the garage. This can cause a variety of problems. First, contaminates in these unconditioned spaces can enter your air stream. Vehicle and chemical fumes from the garage, for example, can get into your indoor air. In extreme cases, your family might be exposed to higher levels of carbon monoxide from the garage.
Further, if the ducts aren’t insulated properly, you’ll be heating and cooling these unfinished spaces and losing valuable conditioned air. This can also lead to ducts sweating and moisture problems. In some newly constructed homes, the duct system is placed in conditioned spaces, so less energy is lost.
Ductwork Obstructions
Sometimes, a duct system can become blocked. Common obstructions include:
- Items that have gotten sucked into the system. On occasion, an air filter can even become lodged in ductwork.
- Furniture placed over registers.
- A dirty air filter, dirty inside coil, or dirty blower fan blades. A filter that’s too restrictive for your HVAC system can also block airflow.
In addition, a section–especially if it’s flexible ductwork–might become crushed. A bad dent in rigid metal ductwork can also obstruct airflow.
Some ductwork problems, such as dented ductwork in an attic, are easy to spot. Other problems require an expert, who can get at those hard-to-access places. Contact CCAC, and let us give your ductwork a thorough checkup. In business since 1979, we can keep your Corpus Christi home running efficiently.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Corpus Christi, Texas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about ductwork and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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