When it comes to air conditioners, it’s easy to keep them on the back burner. After all, as long as it’s working well, why worry, right? In fact, it’s rare to think about it at all when the AC is working properly. Maybe once in a while, you’ll remember to change the air filters. But, when was the last time you thought about your ductwork? How do you know if it’s in good condition or if it’s time to replace it?
8 Signs You Should Replace Your Ductwork
1. Uneven temperatures throughout your home
Ok, first things first — there’s another reason why your home could be experiencing uneven temperatures. If it’s the wrong size for your square footage, you’ll experience frigid rooms on one side, and warm ones on the other side. So, before jumping to conclusions, have an HVAC technician inspect it. However, if you’ve had your AC for years, and the uneven temperatures are recent, it could be due to your ductwork.
2. Dust everywhere
If you change your air filters regularly, the amount of dust in your home shouldn’t vary too much. Yet, if you’re doing this and you’re seeing more particles in the air and surfaces than usual, it could be due to dirt, pollen, and other allergens that are entering your air ducts through cracks on their surface.
3. Ductwork is noisy
If your ducts are new and they’re making noise, this is due to faulty installation. If they’re older and recently started making noise, it’s due to them being clogged with too much dirt and debris. Common sounds include shaking and rattling (which could signify the ducts are loose) or whistling (which means the ducts have air leaks). Regardless of the reason, the only way to solve it is to have an HVAC technician assist you.
4. Unpleasant smells
This one depends on what your home smells like. Now that the weather is getting chillier — at least for Florida standards — some people are turning on their heaters for the first time in almost a year. If this is the case in your home, keep in mind that the heat will burn dust particles that have settled in your ductwork. This doesn’t mean that there’s anything wrong with them. Wait it out. If the smell dissipates after an hour or so, everything’s fine. However, if you can smell mold or mildew every time our AC or heater kicks on, you need to get the air ducts cleaned before the mold causes structural damage to your home or affects your family’s health.
5. Higher energy bills
This is yet another sign that could be due to defective ductwork or something else. Other reasons your energy bill may have suddenly increased include:
- Not changing your air filters regularly enough
- Having drafty windows
- Leaks in your air ducts
The best way to find out the exact reason is to conduct a home energy audit. If it turns out the issue is the air ducts, an HVAC technician can help.
6. Seeing more bugs around your home
This could be due to leaks and holes in your air ducts. These openings are ideal spots for insects — and sometimes, rodents — to enter your home. Not only is it unsanitary, but it could also cause blockages within the air ducts.
7. There’s debris around the return vents
Air ducts that are clogged with debris will eventually start pushing what’s inside of them into your home. This can include dust, lint, pet hair, and dead insects, to name a few. Inspect all the vents in every room. If you notice this is the case in several of them, you have your answer.
8. The ducts are old
The ductwork in homes is made out of flexible plastic or other malleable material that can deteriorate with regular wear and tear. If your air ducts are 10 years old or older, have them inspected to determine whether it’s time to replace them. A technician will test airflow as well as insulation to determine if the issue is old age.
AC Service in Brevard County
At Colman, we can help you with routine maintenance checks as well as troubleshooting air conditioning issues. We also have a 24/7 AC emergency line. Call us if you need assistance ASAP, or to schedule routine HVAC maintenance.
24-HR Emergency Service: (321) 269-4565
