Common Signs of Leaky Air Ducts
Your HVAC equipment works hard to produce heated and conditioned air to make your home an oasis of comfort. But these desired temperatures don’t reach your indoor spaces without the help of ductwork, and if your air ducts spring a leak, your entire system can be compromised.
At Evergreen Heating & Cooling, we not only know how to fix and prevent air duct leaks, but also the warning signs that your ductwork may be damaged. Read on to learn the common signs that you have an air duct leak in your Waco, Texas, home.
6 Common Signs Your Air Ducts Are Leaking Air
Inconsistent Temperatures
If your thermostat is performing properly, but you notice certain rooms are full of cold air or seem to experience uneven heating, you’re likely dealing with an air duct leak. When your ducts are leaking air, the cold or hot air from your HVAC system has a harder time reaching your indoor spaces, resulting in uneven temperatures across your home.
Increased Energy Bills
One of the greatest signs of ductwork leaks is higher utility bills. As air moves through your ducts, it will slowly seep out through the crack or broken section. This means that air isn’t making it out through your vents to bring rooms to your desired temperatures. As a result, your HVAC system will work harder for longer to try and make up for the wasted air. A greater energy consumption will lead to skyrocketing energy costs over time.
Excessive Dust
Every home has a little bit of dust here and there. But if you start to notice any unusual or suddenly increasing amount of dust and dirt on your floors, furniture, and other surfaces, it could be due to leaky HVAC ducts. Even small leaks can cause dust to build up in your Waco home, as dust infiltrates your ductwork through the cracked areas and is then carried out of your vents and into your space.
The excessive dust from duct leaks can also be attributed to back drafting. Back drafting occurs when your return air ducts leak, depressurizing your home so that outside air is pulled inside along with all the dust and other airborne contaminants it contains.
Poor Indoor Air Quality
Central air systems are largely responsible for your home’s indoor air quality. Unfortunately, leaky ductwork can compromise this air quality. As more dust enters your system and air doesn’t adequately flow out of your vents, the air inside your home will become dirty, contaminated, and stale very quickly. Not only can this make your home feel stuffy and uncomfortable, but poor indoor air quality can also lead to respiratory issues and increased allergy symptoms.
Frequent Repairs on HVAC Systems
Your HVAC system and your ductwork are intrinsically linked. When your ducts are compromised, it can have hefty negative impacts on your heating & cooling equipment, from your air conditioner to your furnace. The biggest effect is that these systems will have to work harder, and an overworked system will ultimately need more frequent and premature repairs that could have been avoided otherwise.
Old Ductwork
On average, HVAC ductwork can last about 10-15 years. While regular duct cleaning and other maintenance can help extend the life of your ducts, they are much more likely to experience an air leak once they hit the 10-year mark. If your ducts have reached old age, replacing them proactively could be more cost-effective and efficient than waiting for leaks or other damage to occur.
How to Fix Leaky Ducts
When a leak in the ductwork is discovered, many homeowners’ first instincts are to implement DIY solutions. However quick home remedies, such as covering the crack with duct tape, aren’t effective or long-lasting.
The best way to fix a leak for good is to call for professional duct sealing. At Evergreen Heating & Cooling, we offer duct sealing that can fix leaks at any point in your duct system, including the duct joints. Seal leaks up for good and ensure cracked areas don’t reopen with our expert service. Ductwork may seem simple from the outside, but it can be a complex system to repair.
Luckily, our skilled technicians are highly trained in all ductwork leaks and other duct repair issues, so you can trust the job is done right the first time. Call us today for help inspecting and preparing your leaky ducts.
Repair vs. Replacement: When to Install New Air Ducts
Do you constantly find yourself wishing for hotter or colder air in your Waco home? Are you desperate for lower energy bills and increased system efficiency? Simply addressing duct leakage may not be the best solution for you.
While our HVAC technicians will seal your ducts with speed and efficiency, there are certain times when it would be more cost-efficient to schedule air duct replacement than repair. If your HVAC air ducts are well over 10 years old or have frequent leakage, we recommend replacing your entire duct system.
Contact Evergreen Heating & Cooling for a ductwork inspection today.
The Importance of Routine Duct Cleaning
If you want to avoid the need for duct sealing, while also improving your home’s air quality and extending your system’s service life, schedule routine duct cleaning with Evergreen’s professional certified technicians.
We can clean and maintain your entire system so that it’s free of dust and debris, minimizing the risk of cracking or damage that can cause air duct leaks. Regular duct cleaning should be done at least every 3 to 5 years, but a higher frequency could be right for your home depending on the size of your system, the rate of use, and other factors.
Call Evergreen Heating & Cooling to learn more about professional duct cleaning for your Waco, TX, home today.
Contact Evergreen Heating & Cooling for Air Duct Leak Solutions
At Evergreen Heating & Cooling, we understand the damaging effects even the smallest air duct leaks can cause in your home. That’s why we train our technicians to offer the highest quality, ductwork installation, sealing, and cleaning services in Waco, TX, and the surrounding areas. And when the systems connected to your ductwork need repairs or maintenance, you can also trust our proficient heating and cooling services.
Don’t let a faulty system derail your at-home comfort. Contact Evergreen Heating & Cooling today.