You may give little consideration to the air ducts in your San Marcos, Texas, home. They’re a vital component of your home’s HVAC system, though. Without these ducts, your HVAC system wouldn’t be able to deliver warm air throughout your home and keep your family comfortable. Unfortunately, problems with your ductwork can cause costly problems that lead to higher energy bills and uncomfortable conditions. Read on to learn some of the most common ductwork problems you may encounter in your home.
A Poorly Designed Duct System
The design of your ductwork system is important to ensuring proper airflow and maintaining high efficiency. This means that the system will need to have vents and returns placed in the proper spots and elbows in the ductwork located in areas where the flow of air won’t be hindered. You’ll also need to make sure that the ductwork is the correct size for your system and rooms.
Leaky Ductwork
You can lose anywhere between 20 and 40 percent of the hot air circulating through your system via leaky ducts. This can cause a major inefficiency in your home that leads to higher monthly utility builds and greater difficulty maintaining the indoor temperature.
You can help rectify this problem by having your HVAC service technician repair your ductwork to:
- Stop the leaks in the ductwork
- Restore the airflow through your ducts
- Reduce the amount of work your system has to do to push the air through
Loose or Poorly Sealed Grills and Registers
Your registers and grills are part of the duct connection system. When they aren’t properly secured or sealed well, it can cause air to escape before it can reach and heat your rooms. This loss can also lead to inefficiencies with your system, as it’ll have to run longer to make up for the leaks. When your HVAC service technician inspects your ducts, they’ll tighten any loose pieces and seal areas when necessary.
Twisted, Kinked, Crushed or Torn Ducts
Some HVAC systems are designed with flexible, plastic air ducts. Because the material is more movable, these ducts are prone to damage such as crushing and tears that can lead to kinks and twists. When this occurs, it’ll restrict the airflow through your ductwork. It’ll make it harder for conditioned air to reach your vents and circulate into your rooms. This will cause your system to work longer and use more force to get the air through. As a result, it’ll lead to parts wearing out more quickly and a reduction in the life of your system.
Poor Insulation On or Around Your Ducts
Your temperature-controlled air can also escape from your ductwork through other areas that aren’t damaged. The ductwork around your insulation and in your crawlspace and roof will help to control this loss of air. To help keep your warm air in your ductwork and on route to its desired location, make sure he insulation around your ductwork is in good shape. Also, make sure there’s an adequate amount of it.
Dirty Air Ducts
Another common problem that can reduce the efficiency of your system is the buildup of debris and dust around your vents and throughout your ductwork. This buildup can be especially thick in homes with large amounts of dust or where there are multiple pets. This debris won’t only reduce your airflow and make your system work harder. It’ll also create poor indoor air quality in your home. This problem is easily preventable by scheduling regular ductwork cleaning.
If you’re having problems with your ductwork, an HVAC service technician can help. Contact Woods Comfort Systems at 512-842-5066 today to schedule your ductwork cleaning and inspection. Our team will make sure your HVAC system is maximizing energy efficiency.
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