The duct system is a crucial component of your central air conditioner and heating. The system distributes conditioned air to areas around the house and channels back unconditioned air to the unit. However, when you least expect, a problem may arise within the air duct system and affect the entire HVAC system. Below are the causes of leaky air ducts and how to deal with them.
Causes of Air Duct Leakages
Air duct leakages result from anything that interferes with the structural integrity of the duct joints and materials. The causes include the following.
Age
The duct system becomes susceptible to wear and tear over time. Wear and tear results from high humidity, vibrations caused by air circulation, and temperature fluctuations. The seals slowly deteriorate, joints disintegrate, and the material corrodes.
Settling House Foundation
Air conditioning ducts may become damaged because your home's foundation settles. A house can settle due to floods or heavy rainfall that saturates the soil.
Your house may also settle if the soil the structure sits on is loose. The house may also settle because of tremors and earthquakes that destabilize the soil under your house. The most common ductwork damage that results from a settling foundation is at the weak points, such as the seams.
Lose and Detached Ductwork
The sections of your ductwork should ideally fit together at the joints and elbows. However, as discussed above, the tight fit could be disrupted by wear and tear, age, and fit. In such cases, the damaged areas include the joints and elbows. Unfortunately, a detached segment in the duct system is highly detrimental and can cause the air in the duct to be lost.
Duct Installation in Unconditioned Areas
Air ducts in garages, crawl spaces, and other unconditioned areas are more susceptible to leak development. Ideally, the ductwork must be diverted from such areas and insulated for maximum functionality.
Signs of Leaky Air Ducts
When you understand the signs of a leaky air duct system, you can call a professional to handle the problem as soon as possible to prevent costly complications in the future. Some signs to look out for include the following.
Uneven Cooling and Heating
Are there unusual cold and warm spots in the house that you hadn’t noticed before? Chances good are that there is an air duct leak in your house. The air ducts in one area may leak as the others remain intact. In such a case, that area will feel warmer or cooler than the rest of the house.
Dusty Indoor Air
The areas where your ductwork is located are primarily dusty. Therefore, if there are faults in your duct system, dirty air enters the ductwork and circulates within the air conditioner. Eventually, the air enters your house and manifests as dusty indoor air. You may have leaky air ducts if the AC or furnace filters clog up faster than usual or the house seems dustier.
High Energy Bills
HVAC malfunctions, such as leaky air ducts, trigger energy inefficiency. You will notice high energy bills if your ductwork is contaminated by unconditioned air and the system struggles to cool or heat your home. The energy bills also spike if the filter is dirty or if your ductwork leaks. You should look into changes in your energy bills if you have the same energy consumption habits.
Air duct leaks may not cause immediate damage to the air conditioning system. However, you will notice more energy consumption, and the house will become more uncomfortable if you do not address the issues. Experts at C J Services Inc have the skills and experience to deal with ductwork malfunctions.
Call us today for all your ductwork diagnoses and solutions.
