Your HVAC system is an important part of your home because
it makes your home more comfortable, safe, and welcoming. However, all HVAC
systems eventually experience wear and tear, including the ductwork. For many
HVAC systems, the ducts are like the arteries in your body, but instead of
providing oxygen, ducts provide heated/cooled air. For this reason, you
shouldn't neglect your ducts. If you've been ignoring your ducts, check out
these three commonly asked questions.
1. Do All Heating/Cooling Systems Rely on Ducts?
Typically, you only need a ductwork system if you have
forced-air cooling or heating with a gas, electric, or oil furnace. These
systems work by heating air at the furnace and then sending it throughout the
house via the ductwork and vents. Heat pumps work differently to create warm air,
but they too rely on the ductwork to spread the heat.
Many heating/cooling systems do not rely on ducts. These
include radiant heating, mini-split systems, and portable systems. This may
allow you to save money on installation if you don't already have ducts, but
these systems tend to be less effective at quickly heating and cooling your
home.
2. Do Ducts Need to Be Maintained?
Naturally, your furnace and air-conditioning unit need to be
regularly maintained to keep them in good condition so they don't become
ineffective or inefficient. In fact, many homeowners get their furnace and air
conditioner serviced each year before the hot or cold season. However, ducts
are out of sight, which often means out of mind. Therefore, many people neglect
their ducts, leading to major complications.
Freshly and correctly installed ducts are in great shape,
making them more efficient, but as ducts age, they require maintenance too
because age, wear and tear, and damage can cause punctures in the ducts, or the
ducts may start to separate where they are connected.
If this caused your system to stop heating/cooling the
house, you'd probably notice. However, damaged ducts still provide heat and
cooling; they just become inefficient. Therefore, you may not realize what's
happening until your heating/cooling bills start to skyrocket as heated/cooled
air is lost before it reaches your living space. Unless the ducts are severely
damaged, a good contractor should be able to simply repair them with special
metal tape.
3. Can Your Ducts Get Dirty?
In conjunction with maintaining your ductwork system, you
need to have it regularly cleaned too. Even if you have the best filter, some
particles still get into the ducts, leading to a buildup of dirt, dust, pet
dander, allergens, and much more, which poses two risks.
First, it reduces indoor air quality, which can make
everyone inside the house miserable, especially if they struggle with asthma or
allergies. In some cases, it may even make you sick. For example, if mold or
fungi starts to grow in the ducts, these spores may reach your living space and
make you sick.
A good duct cleaning is also a great opportunity to ensure
there is nothing living in your ducts. Insects and small rodents may like the
warm, dark home, but their droppings and fleas can allow unwanted odors and
disease to spread through the home. Certain pests like rats or squirrels may
even cause physical damage to the ducts by scratching or biting on them,
creating holes and gaps.
Ducts aren't easy to see because they are hidden behind
walls and in ceilings. However, there are many tell-tale signs you may have an
underlying issue, such as strange odors or inefficient heating/cooling. If you
believe your system isn't working as well as it should and you aren't sure why, contact us
at C.J.
Services, Inc., to see how we can help.
