In the HVAC business the tendency is to talk endlessly about furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps, AC maintenance, and efficiency. Along the way forgetting all about one of the most important components of any central heating and cooling system: The ductwork. Just like that old saying, the air ducts in your Steger, IL or Crown Point, IN home are out of sight and out of mind, so you may not even consider the advantages of air duct replacement.
DUCTWORK PROBLEMS ARE SERIOUS
One of the best analogies I’ve heard is that the ducts are like the arteries and veins in your body. No matter how healthy your heart is, bad circulation leads to all sorts of problems. The ductwork hides away in ceilings and walls, transporting warm and cool air from your furnace and air conditioner to the hard to reach areas of your home. Aging ducts can develop cracks and leaks. Here’s the good news: An air duct replacement is much less traumatic than trying to fix your veins and arteries.
DON’T IGNORE THE WARNING SIGNS
So, let’s stop ignoring your ducts and instead focus on the warning signs. That’s right, there are clues, the key is to know what to look, smell, listen, and even feel for. Here are some signs that your home is in need of an air duct replacement:
- Your home is very dusty. Allergies acting up? Unusually stuffy or dusty in the house? This can happen when the ductwork has holes, gaps, or isn’t sealed properly. This results in dust entering the ducts and being transported to all ends of your home.
- You smell mildew. A funny smell coming from the ducts means there is a chance they could be moldy inside. This is usually the result of moisture forming in the ducts because they are poorly insulated. This calls for an inspection by a professional who has the right equipment to detect mold even deep inside the ductwork.
- Your HVAC unit is noisy. There will always be some noise, but the sound of the air moving through the system should not be obnoxious. If it seems noisy to you, it may be a sign that your ducts are improperly sized or incorrectly installed. This often leads to a whooshing sound as the system struggles to push air through the ducts.
- Cold and hot spots in the home. This can often be caused by leaky or unbalanced ductwork. Again, this could be a design or installation problem that may require an air duct replacement to solve.
CALL FOR PROFESSIONAL HELP
All these signs and more can indicate the need for AC maintenance and some TLC for your ductwork. There’s not much an Illinois or Northwest Indiana homeowner can do when it comes to air duct repair or replacement. Merts Heating & Air Conditioning recommends calling a professional HVAC technician to determine the best course of action. Be sure to like and follow us on Facebook and Twitter to learn more about the services Merts offers.