How To Tell When It's Time to Replace Your Home's Duct Work

How do I know if the ductwork needs to be replaced in my home?

4 Tips To Help Identify When its Time to Replace Duct Work

The ductwork in your home is largely unseen. You probably rarely ever think about the fact that it is keeping the air flowing to all of the different rooms in your home. Over time you could have issues with your ductwork that could lead to energy loss, unhealthy air quality and increased heating or cooling bills. Even though the ductwork is out of sight there are issues that you can look for to determine if you are having a problem.

Age of ductwork

In the majority of cases of the ductwork was installed when the home was built. This original ductwork is typically done at a builder’s grade quality and likely not intended to last a lifetime. There are seals and joints in the ductwork that can deteriorate over time. If your home is 15 years old or more you should consider having the ductwork examined for any problems.

Look at the ductwork that you can see

Some of the ductwork is able to be seen from the attic or crawlspaces. Use a flashlight and look at the joints and check for any duct tape that could be fraying or deteriorating in any way. You also need to check for rust or corrosion. If you spot any problems you must call for inspection as you could have moisture issues.

Airflow

If you have certain rooms that are experiencing issues in airflow this could indicate a problem with the specific span of ductwork designated for that area. If the ductwork has deteriorating insulation or a leak then it will cause uneven airflow.

Duct Blower Test

The best way to determine if you are having ductwork issues is to have a duct blower test which is performed by a professional. Your HVAC contractor will use a fan and sensors to determine airflow and the efficiency of your current ductwork. Leaks and inefficiency will be determined via computerized specific results.

The ductwork in your home is kind of like the veins in your body bringing airflow all through the rooms. If any part of it is working incorrectly or has a leak you will experience uneven air loss and high electricity bills due to inefficiency. Call the experts at Air Expo today to schedule a maintenance check and an air duct blower test to determine the efficiency of your ductwork.