Ducts are an important part of your home’s forced-air heating and cooling system. Your HVAC unit uses these air ducts to distribute heated or cooled air throughout your house. Unfortunately, a significant amount of the conditioned air is lost due to poorly performing ducts.
Here are five common duct system problems that could be responsible for the uncomfortable temperatures at some of the rooms in your home and your high utility bill.
1. Improperly designed duct system.
An efficient HVAC system needs a duct system that is well-designed and properly installed. Poorly designed air ducts cannot efficiently supply and return the airflow required to air condition your home. Such ducts will make the heating and cooling system work unduly harder to make the house comfortable.
2. Leaking ductwork.
According to energystar.gov, a typical American home loses approximately 20-30% of the air that moves through its duct system due to holes, leaks, and poorly connected ducts. Duct sealing helps to repair holes and leaks so as to prevent loss of conditioned air and protect indoor air quality.
3. Dirty air ducts.
Air ducts can get clogged with dirt, debris, vermin and many other contaminants. If that happens, the ductwork efficiency is reduced, and there are consequences on indoor air quality. An air duct cleaning service like Larsen HVAC in Provo can help you keep your ducts clean and efficient.
4. Uninsulated or not fully insulated ductwork.
Your ducts may not have holes or leaks, but if they’re not insulated or fully insulated, they won’t be efficient. Proper insulation can help improve the overall efficiency of the system.
5. Poorly sealed registers and grills.
Poorly sealed registers and grills contribute to loss of conditioned air before it reaches the rooms that need warming or cooling. Since you already paid to heat or cool the lost air, your HVAC has to work harder, and you have to pay higher utility bills. Rectify the problem by sealing all gaps behind registers and grills.
Air ducts are the network by which cooled or heated air reaches you. A problem-free duct system can improve your home’s comfort, energy efficiency, and safety. Hire a reputable professional to do a complete airflow evaluation of your home’s heating and cooling system.
