Is it Time to Replace Your Ducts?

Your HVAC has operated reliably for years, but lately, your home’s temperature is uneven, and your energy bills have begun to creep up.

Your ducts could be to blame.

Ductwork is sturdy but, like anything else, is prone to wear and tear over time. A thorough evaluation of your ducts could reveal several inefficiencies, including:

• Kinks/twists
• Leaks
• Dirt
• Outdated material
• Inadequate insulation

Let’s look closer at each of these problems and how they impact your comfort.

Kink or Twists

When installing your flex ducts, it’s possible the contractor wrapped a branch of duct around a support structure, creating a sharp bend. This poor workmanship will negatively impact your HVAC system’s performance. Think about blowing air through a bent straw. A kink in your ducts produces the same effect. If the contractor isn’t at fault, it’s possible the hanger strap came loose, causing the branch to sag and restrict airflow.

Leaks

Somewhere around 10 to 25% of the air your HVAC worked so hard to condition is lost through leaks. Leaks can occur on the supply side of your ducts that blow air into each room or the return side where ducts draw air into the HVAC equipment to be conditioned. Leaks on either end are bad news. Not only can they compromise your comfort, but they can foul up your indoor air quality by sucking in dirty air from your basement or attic and distributing dust throughout the home. Is your home excessively dusty? You could have a duct leak.

Dirt

The interior of your ducts could be filthy, especially if you have a return-side leak pulling in dirty air. Plus, mold thrives in dark, damp places, making your air ducts an ideal habitat. Also gross: Bugs and vermin have been known to make themselves at home in the ductwork. In extreme cases, shining a flashlight through the register will reveal caked-on dirt and mildew. If that’s the case, your ducts are long overdue for a cleaning. Just be careful who you hire for the job.

Outdated Ducts

If yours is an older home, built in the 60s or earlier, you might have fiberglass ductwork. While fiberglass has good insulation properties and tends to be quieter than metal, it isn’t without its drawbacks. Fiberglass breaks down over time. That means little fibers ride the air current through the ducts and into your living spaces. If that sounds like a potential health hazard, it is. Old fiberglass ducts are also prone to shifting, causing leaks and gaps to develop. Consider replacing outdated ducts with rigid metal ductwork or flex ducts. Each material has pros and cons – the metal tends to be more efficient, but the flex duct is easier to install. So, talk with your HVAC contractor about the best option for your home and budget.

Inadequate Insulation

Up to 40% of the energy used to cool or heat your home will be wasted if your ducts aren’t insulated. Insulation will go a long way toward preserving your comfort and lowering costs. We recommend insulation that has an R-value of 5 to 8. Before installing the insulation, have the contractor identify and repair any leaks in the ductwork.

Bottom line: Most ductwork defects can be repaired. Whether it’s a leak, a lack of insulation, or a dirt-coated interior, the ductwork experts at Aire Serv of Wilmington can quickly get your HVAC system in good working order. In the case that your ducts need to be replaced, we’ll walk you through your options so that you can make an informed decision.