Your ductwork is hidden out of sight behind the walls and ceilings of your home, so you may not give it much thought or realize how its age and condition impact the operation of your heating and cooling system. If you have old ductwork that’s starting to deteriorate, it can erode the overall efficiency of your HVAC system and increase your operating costs. Age-related problems with the ducts can also cause a decline in your indoor air quality and comfort level.
How to Identify the Warning Signs of Aging Ductwork
Here are some of the telltale signs that your ductwork is too old and should be replaced:
· Higher energy bills. If your household energy bills are steadily increasing even though your usage habits haven’t changed and you’re keeping your HVAC equipment properly maintained, worsening ductwork deficiencies like gaps in the joins and seams or a lack of insulation may be to blame.
· Obvious signs of decay. Check the condition of your accessible ductwork in places like the attic and basement. If you find streaks of dust around joints, crumpled or disconnected sections, damaged insulation or evidence of rust and corrosion, your old ductwork may need replacement.
· Air quality issues. Deteriorating return ducts can let a host of unhealthy contaminants into your HVAC system that can degrade your home’s air quality, such as mold, dust, insulation fibres, pollen, pest droppings and insect parts.
· Poor temperature control. If you’re experiencing inconsistent air output from the registers that makes it difficult to keep some areas of your home comfortable, it may be due to poor duct design, or age-related issues like leaks, obstructions or damage.
If you’re concerned that old ductwork is creating problems in your Calgary home, contact us at Arpi’s Industries for an expert duct system assessment.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Calgary, Alberta about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about ductwork and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide.
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