The ductwork in a home’s HVAC system often goes overlooked. People focus more on the AC and heating system, which are the parts they interact with the most. The ductwork mostly hides behind the walls and in the attic. But trouble with ducts due to breaches and air leaks are a leading cause of HVAC problems. Bad ducts can cancel out all the good a well-maintained heating and air conditioning system can do!
We’re HVAC pros with a long history of helping homes enjoy the best in comfort. Taking care of ducts is an important part of our job, and we’re one of your best sources for service for your ductwork in Minneapolis, MN and the rest of the Twin Cities if it’s damaged. But first, you have to know you need to call for duct repair. This post will help you determine if your HVAC system has ducts that need our professional services.
The Duct Problem Warning Signs:
You can only see a small part of the ductwork in your house, but there are ways to tell when the ducts are damaged.
- Rattling noises: Misaligned or broken ducts will often make rattling sounds as air moves through them and as they expand and contract from temperature changes. When you hear these sounds coming from the vents and they don’t seem to originate from the HVAC cabinet, it’s likely duct trouble.
- High energy bills: One of the major problems from leaking ducts is that a large amount of air that’s already been heated or cooled escapes from them, going to waste. Up to 30% of the air in the ventilation system can be lost this way—and the heater and AC must make up for that by running longer. If you can’t account for extremely high heating and cooling costs, the source may be leaking ducts that need professional sealing.
- Musty and moldy odors: Gaps in the ducts allow air from closed-off parts of the house to infiltrate the ventilation system and get blown into your living spaces. Often this air is dusty and stale and may even have mold in it. You’ll notice the odors around the house, and if they are coming from the vents, you may have leaking ducts.
- High humidity: Proper humidity control relies on an effective circulation of air through the house. If the ducts are damaged, this won’t happen, and it will usually cause an increase in indoor humidity.
- Drop in airflow from vents: Leaks in air ducts will cause the pressure within the ventilation system to decline, and this will affect general HVAC system performance. You may notice lower airflow coming from the vents—and soon hot and cold spots around the house.
If you suspect ductwork problems, get in touch with us. We can test the ducts to see the extent of the problem and where we need to do repairs. We’ll restore your ventilation system to its original integrity so you’ll get the best performance from your HVAC system.