Because ductwork is hidden away and rarely causes obvious problems, it’s easy to forget that ducts have maintenance needs and eventually require replacement. To make sure your ducts are up to the demands of the Lorain area’s climate, learn the signs that indicate they’re due for an upgrade.
Check Your Ducts
Consider the age of your duct system. Older ducts are more likely to need replacement. While well-made duct systems can last decades, those thrown together quickly and cheaply can start falling apart within 10 years.
Inspect the accessible ducts in the attic and basement for wear such as deteriorating mastic or tape on the joints, dust streaks around the seams, holes, rust, and sections of damaged flex duct. Joints can be sealed and minor damage repaired, but ductwork with extensive damage may have to be replaced. Collapsed or torn flex duct often can’t be repaired, so replacement is the only practical option.
Check your air registers for sufficient airflow. Little to no air coming out suggests a disconnected or damaged duct. A different air temperature compared to other registers could mean you have leaks or missing insulation.
When to Call a Professional
If you’ve found signs of wear or your ducts haven’t been inspected in the last five years, contact a heating and cooling professional for a duct blaster test. During this test, the technician will use a fan to pressurize the ducts in order to measure air leakage. Excessive leakage may indicate the need for replacement. The technician can also check for extensive deterioration, mold growth, poor design, and other issues that could make duct replacement beneficial.
If your budget is limited, your technician can help you prioritize which sections of duct should be replaced first. Duct replacement is a job for a specialist trained in duct system layout, sizing, and airflow principles. The ducts must be properly installed and sealed to ensure efficiency and durability.
For help keeping your ductwork in shape, contact us at Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning in Lorain, Elyria and Oberlin.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lorain, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about ductwork and other HVAC topics, call us at 440-201-2959.
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Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area