Is Your Home Harboring Aging Ductwork? The Pros Can Determine That for You

When the rooms in your home are either too warm or too cool, or the air feels stuffy in one room but just fine in the room right next door, it’s easy to think “it must be the air conditioner” or “it must be the furnace.” But many times, the cause is aging ductwork.

Since most ducts are hidden from sight, it’s easy to forget that they’re there. But the condition of your ducts is vital to your indoor comfort level. While the efficiency of ductwork in most homes hovers between only 60 and 75 percent, yours could be even lower if your home is more than 20 years old or if your home builder wasn’t exactly renowned for his dedication to quality construction. Consequently, the hard-earned money you’re spending to cool and heat your home could be spilling right out of your ductwork.

Only a professional heating and air conditioner contractor can (and should) be trusted to assess the condition of your ductwork. The process involves:

• Inspecting the ducts’ seams, seals and joints – prime places for the ducts to leak – as well as deteriorating tape. (If your builder used duct tape, he was sorely remiss, as only the sturdier bond provided by mastic tape should be used on ductwork.)
• Checking exposed ductwork in attics and crawl spaces – places that are subject to the greatest deterioration as the ducts flex and contract to adjust to changing temperatures. While all ducts should be insulated, it’s especially important that exposed ducts are insulated properly.
• Investigating airflow problems, which are often caused by disconnected or collapsed sections of ductwork.
• Conducting a duct blower test – similar to a blower door test – to determine how much air is being lost through the ductwork.

It may help to remember that like most components of a home, ductwork isn’t designed to last forever. So if you suspect your aging ductwork is putting a drain on your energy bills, be sure to give us a call at Scott’s Heating & Air Conditioning.  We’ll help you find the source and recommend what can be done to keep your home comfortable in every room.

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Scott’s Heating & Air Conditioning is a full-service heating and air conditioning company and a Bryant® Factory Authorized Dealer in Central Florida. Whether you need repair, maintenance, or installation of a new heating or cooling system, we provide efficient, cost-effective, and professional service. When it’s hot, call Scott!

Categorised in: Ductwork