7 Telltale Signs of HVAC Duct Problems

Livermore, California, September 24, 2016 (Newswire.com) - Having a fully functional and efficient HVAC system operating in your home or office is essential to ensuring your comfort throughout the seasons. But duct problems can reduce the efficiency and effectiveness of your HVAC system, decreasing your comfort and costing you extra on electricity and operational costs. Here we look at some of the telltale signs that your HVAC system is experiencing problems with ductwork and what you can do about it.

Your System Isn’t Heating or Cooling As It Should

If your HVAC system isn’t heating or cooling the rooms in your home as well as it should be, then there’s a chance your ductwork may have issues. If you begin to notice the problem after a home remodel and the rooms and wall positions in your home have changed, you may need duct relocation to correct the issue. This issue may also be due to blocked or dirty air ducts, or thermostat issues.

You Hear Strange Noises Coming From Within the Ducts

Rattling, banging or whirring noises from within the ducts could indicate duct damage, and duct repair may be required. Air leaks, foreign material or damaged sections of the ducts can rattle and bang as air flow moves past, causing this noise.

Air Flow Too Weak or Absent

You can test your ducts yourself by standing in front of each of them and testing the air flow. Does the air flow seem consistent between each outlet or is airflow weaker or absent in some ducts? This is a telltale sign that a particular duct may have a leak or a blockage and you need duct cleaning or duct repair.

Poor Air Quality

Do you notice bad smells, fumes or stuffy air flowing through your HVAC system? If so, your ducts may have been compromised due to duct damage, pest infestation, or excess dirt and dust. Duct cleaning can often significantly improve air quality by removing allergens and buildup from within the ducts for cleaner, safer air supply.

High Energy Bill

Air conditioning and heating is responsible for a large proportion of our energy bills, so if you have noticed a large jump in your electricity costs, a faulty HVAC system may be to blame. Damaged and leaky ducts cause HVAC systems to work overtime, using more electricity and increasing your energy costs. Duct repair can often help to quickly correct the issue and reestablish the efficiency of your HVAC system.

Dust Emerging From the Duct

If you have noticed visible clouds of dust emerging from your ducts, or visible layers of dust settled on the outside of the duct, then a duct cleaning is definitely in order. Excess dust in the ducts can worsen allergies and breathing difficulties, and can also reduce your system’s efficiency, so duct cleaning helps to keep both you and your system healthy.

Visible Obstructions or Clogs in the Duct

If you take off the duct cover and notice visible blockages of excess dust, hair, pest infestations or other detritus, duct cleaning should be performed as soon as possible to unblock the air ducts and help your system to function safely and correctly.

By keeping an eye out for these telltale signs of duct problems, you can keep your HVAC system in perfect working order and address duct issues early.

Source: BACH Enterprises