How To Decide If Your Ductwork Needs To Be Replaced

Your home’s ductwork is basically the building’s circulatory system since it circulates cool and warm air throughout it when needed. But to work efficiently, the ductwork needs to be kept as clean as possible as well as in good condition and properly  insulated. In some instances, if it’s become worn out and old and can’t be repaired or sealed, it may need to be replaced.
Inefficient ductwork can cause problems since the cooling and heating systems become inefficient and your power bills will rise. An air leak can cause the HVAC system to work overtime which will result in more energy being needed. In addition, some rooms may not receive enough cool or warm airflow.

Air Quality

The quality of air can also suffer since inefficient ducts can suck in pollen and dust from the environment as well as other types of unhealthy pollutants. These are then circulated throughout the house and can cause health issues for your family. Worn out ducts can also leak water which in turn could damage property and furniture. If you’ve noticed any problems with your ductwork or have reason to believe it may not be up to par, it’s recommended that you contact a licensed HVAC specialist to inspect it. This way you’ll know if it can be repaired or if it should be replaced.

Replacing Your Ductwork

As mentioned earlier, there are some tell-tale signs which will indicate that replacing the ductwork will be a better option in the long run and it will also ultimately save you money on energy and repair bills. A home’s ductwork typically starts to deteriorate after 10 to 15 years of use. However, ductwork built with inferior quality materials or systems that weren’t installed properly may wear out a few years earlier. You may be able to inspect the ductwork yourself by checking out exposed ducts in the attic and crawl spaces to see if there are any tears or holes in them. You can also look for worn out duct tape, disconnected joints, and rust and corrosion.

Proper Airflow

You can also check the air flow in each room to see if it’s flowing properly. If you find there’s a wide variation in the temperature in different rooms then there could be a problem with the ductwork. One of the easiest ways to test the ductwork is to contact a local HVAC company and ask them to conduct a pressurized duct blower test. This procedure will be able to detect any air leakage in the ducts. If the ductwork needs to be replaced it’s generally better to do so sooner rather than later to make sure your family is breathing  clean, healthy air, your energy bills are kept in check and the house is being properly and consistently heated and cooled down when necessary.
If you feel it’s time to have your ductwork checked out, please feel free to contact Lloyd HVAC Services at your convenience. We are based in Toronto, serve the GTA, and have one of the highest customer service ratings on Homestars.  We’ll gladly pay you a visit to inspect the ductwork and/or perform a duct blower test if needed.