Welcome to Ready & Able, formerly known as David LeRoy Plumbing! Although our name and brand have changed, we are still here to serve you and all of your plumbing, heating, cooling, and air quality needs!
While your HVAC system does the heavy lifting of keeping your home comfortable throughout the year, your ductwork plays an important role as well. Your home’s ductwork helps carry treated air, whether it’s warm or cold, to all of the rooms throughout your home. It also brings air back to your HVAC system to go through the process again. If there is an issue with your ductwork, it can have a huge impact on the efficiency of your HVAC system and result in a whole slew of problems. Here are a few signs you should keep a watchful eye out for that can indicate it’s time to replace your existing ductwork.
Inconsistent Temperatures
If you notice that seemingly random areas in your home fail to reach the temperature you set your thermostat to, it could indicate an issue with your ductwork. Over time, air ducts can develop leaks where warm air escapes during the winter and is replaced by cold air (and vice versa in the summer), making it impossible for a room to stay conditioned. If you let this issue linger for too long, you will find your HVAC system will run harder than it should in order to try and get your entire home up to the target temperature, which can reduce its lifespan.
Also, aging ductwork can shift or collapse over time and make it more difficult for the treated air to reach its intended destination. This can make it harder for your furnace or air conditioner to do its job and evenly heat or cool each room in your home.
Weak Airflow
The amount of airflow coming out of your vents can be impacted when your ductwork is compromised. If you notice stale air in a specific room, the temperature is not where it needs to be, or your vents don’t put out much air at all, this can indicate weak airflow. Common causes for weak airflow include leaky air ducts, blockages in your ductwork, and kinked ducts. Replacing your existing air ducts can help alleviate these issues and restore proper airflow back into your home. This will help your HVAC system run more efficiently and make your home a more comfortable place during the middle of the winter or the peak of summer.
Excessive Dust
While every homeowner in Harrisburg should anticipate some level of dust inside their home, there should be cause for concern if this amount becomes excessive and consistent. Over time, dust, dirt, and debris accumulate inside your ductwork. If you don’t take the time to regularly clean your air ducts, this dust buildup inside of your ductwork can spread into your home.
Additionally, if your ductwork is getting up there in age and starting to deteriorate, dust from within your walls, floors, and ceilings can seep into the system. That dust can then permeate throughout your home when you turn on your furnace or air conditioner and air is pushed through the system. Replacing this damaged ductwork is the best way to remove excessive dust from within these hard-to-reach areas and ensure your home remains as dust-free as possible.
Unusual Noises
While there will always be some level of noise present when your HVAC system is running, you want to pay close attention to unusual noises. If you hear rattling, whistling, or clanging noises coming from your air ducts, this can be an indication of a serious problem. Rattling noises can occur when parts of your ductwork become loose or unsecured. The air ducts will then bang against each other when air is flowing through the system and can lead to a highly inefficient HVAC system. If you hear a whistling sound, it usually means air is escaping through small gaps or leaks in the ductwork.
Unexpectedly High Energy Bills
Seeing a sudden increase in your energy bill can be a shock to your bank account but also is a reliable signal that there is an issue with your HVAC system. While this sudden spike in your energy bill can be caused by other issues with your furnace or air conditioner, it could indicate a serious problem with your air ducts. If the treated air is escaping your ductwork through leaks, your HVAC system may strain and run longer in an effort to reach the target temperature. The fact that untreated air is entering the system will make it much harder to adequately heat your home in the winter and keep it cool in the summer.
Blocked ductwork is another instance where your HVAC system will cause higher energy bills. In some instances, these blockages become so frequent that it makes financial sense to replace your existing ductwork rather than continually repair it. Poor design, restricted airflow, or damaged ducts are all instances where blockages can continue to occur and where a replacement would make sense.
Poor Indoor Air Quality
If you suffer from elevated allergy symptoms or have difficulty breathing inside your home, your ductwork could be the culprit. Moisture can accumulate inside your ductwork and cause mold and mildew to grow. When this happens, these harmful pollutants are then circulated throughout your home whenever you run your furnace or AC. In some instances, the mold and mildew growth can be so severe that you will need to replace your ductwork in order to remove it entirely from your home.
Old Age
As is the case with most things in your home, nothing lasts forever, and this is also true with your HVAC system and ductwork. Most ductwork tends to last 15-20 years before you start to see signs of deterioration. We can inspect your ductwork for air leakage, blockages, incorrect sizing, and poor design to advise on what is best for you and your home.
Contact Us if You Have Air Duct Issues
Your ductwork is easy to ignore since it’s largely out of sight. However, if you choose to ignore this component of your HVAC system, you run the risk of dealing with serious performance issues. Our team at Ready & Able Plumbing, Heating & Air can help address any issues you have with your ductwork, including a full replacement.
If you have any questions about the status of your air ducts, we can help diagnose performance issues when performing routine maintenance. We can also help make repairs to extend the lifespan of your ductwork but will be sure to let you know when a replacement makes better financial sense.
Our team specializes in all heating, cooling, and plumbing services, including water treatment. We also offer solutions for indoor air quality. If you want to ensure your home has consistent airflow in Harrisburg, call us today to schedule an appointment.
Welcome to Ready & Able, formerly known as David LeRoy Plumbing! Although our name and brand have changed, we are still here to serve you and all of your plumbing, heating, cooling, and air quality needs!