Air ducts are an important part of modern homes that are cooled and heated by forced-air HVAC systems. If they work like they’re supposed to, air ducts deliver clean, conditioned air to your living space and help you maintain comfort in your Lorain area home. But a lot of problems can arise in poorly sealed or designed air ducts. A professional duct inspection is a great way to keep air flowing smoothly in your home.
Why Are Sealed Ducts Important?
Poorly sealed air ducts create two distinct problems. Duct leaks allow conditioned air to escape, making it more difficult and more costly to maintain the desired temperature in your home. They also may let unwanted airborne contaminants into your home, reducing indoor air quality and potentially aggravating allergy and asthma symptoms in occupants.
What Can You Do Yourself?
It’s easy to do a basic duct inspection yourself. Check exposed ductwork wherever it’s visible, looking for loose connections, broken metal, holes, cracks, tears and loose tape. You can also unscrew heating and cooling registers in your home and look inside with a flashlight. Keep an eye out for dust and debris buildup, mice or insect infestations, and mold, all of which signal that professional service is necessary.
When Should You Call a Professional?
A professional duct inspection can evaluate issues in your air ducts to help you decide if cleaning and repairs are necessary. A little bit of dust and dirt doesn’t always mean you have leaky ducts, but visible gaps and hanging ducts are a sure sign. It’s also important to remember that a large percentage of ductwork is not readily visible in the average home, and a professional technician can use specialized equipment to detect unseen leaks.
To learn more about duct inspection – and for all your heating and cooling needs – please contact us at Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning. We’re proud to bring more than 50 years of HVAC experience to your Lorain area home.
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 duct inspection and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area