Is Air Duct Replacement Needed?
Most homes rely on their ducting system to ventilate, heat, and cool the home. Air ducts are the path for the hot and cold air produced by the home’s furnace and air conditioning. Without them, air would not circulate well throughout the home.
But air ducts have a lifespan of only about 10-15 years, and they will need replacing as time wears on. Homeowners can continue reading to find out when it's time to upgrade air ducting systems and some common signs to look out for.
1. The Ducting Is Getting Old
When it comes to examining the state of ductwork, consider first its age. Ducting has a general lifespan of under twenty years if given proper maintenance. In an ideal world, the ductwork needs cleaning on a yearly basis and annual inspections ought to be carried out. But this kind of upkeep often falls between the cracks as life and other household needs get taken care of. Ductwork is pretty resilient, but lack of maintenance will reduce its estimated lifespan to some degree.
The trouble with aging ductwork is that as they age, the materials wear down. Aging ductwork is susceptible to air leaks, gaps, and even collapse. The issues that arise from aging ductwork contribute to the following signs that ducting needs replacement.
A general rule of thumb is to replace ductwork once it has reached the 15-year mark, but understand it may need replacing sooner.
2. The Utility Bills are Skyrocketing
An essential clue to the health of air ducts is the utility bill. Most homes see a range of bills throughout the seasons, with the hotter and coldest months seeing the higher bills. But when bills start climbing through the entire year and the house seems to struggle to keep at the right temperature, damaged air ducts are likely the culprit.
Gaps, leaks, and collapsed ducting overworks the furnace and air conditioning units as they struggle to circulate air through the damaged ducting’s obstacles and detours. The same gaps and leaks allow dirt and dust to enter the ductwork, adding debris for air to navigate around. As ducting deteriorates and clogs, the capacity to effectively circulate air reduces. Homes may experience cold or hot zones as the air becomes trapped and poorly circulated, and energy bills will grow as the system becomes less efficient and unable to maintain the home’s temperature.
3. Suffering From Poor Indoor Air Quality
Good air quality is essential to any home’s health. A well-sealed and maintained ducting system keeps clean air circulating from the house. Allergens, dust, and mold are prone to invading an aging ductwork system. Poor ventilation and air circulation are often the results of clogged or leaking air ducts.
Dirt and other debris can make its way into gaps and leaks, and if the hole is large enough pests can invade the ducting as well. Sometimes a leak or gap in the ductwork can be patched for a temporary fix, but replacement is the only permanent solution for the issue. Patches on ductwork will eventually give way and the poor air quality will return again.
Air ducts are often forgotten until an issue arises. Homeowners shouldn’t wait for their ductwork to collapse and become a major expense. A qualified HVAC expert can help decide where and when ducting needs replacement in the home.
About Colonial Plumbing & Heating Co., Inc.
Colonial Plumbing & Heating Co., Inc. is Colonial Heights, VA’s one-stop-shop for home plumbing and HVAC needs. Their helpful, friendly technicians have over ten years of experience each in the plumbing or HVAC field. Colonial works with the manufacturer directly to provide training and supplies for their work, and prioritizes getting the job done right the first time.
