Signs That It’s Time to Replace Your Ductwork

Signs That It’s Time to Replace Your Ductwork

Defective or outdated ductwork can pose a whole host of issues, including exorbitant energy consumption and cost, uneven superior heating service of the home and reduced air quality.  The challenge is most ductwork is hidden from plain sight, making it particularly tough to notice whether you’re due for an upgrade.  Performing an inspection of your home’s ductwork will help you determine if an upgrade is necessary.

Evaluate Your Current Ductwork

Start with the age of your current ductwork.  A lot of ductwork has a life expectancy of just over 10 years.  After this 10-year period, the material can begin to break down, leading to heat loss and reduced energy efficiency.

Perform a Visual Inspection

Begin your inspection by checking any ductwork that is easily reachable and visible. A good place to start is in the attic or crawl spaces.  Keep an eye out for the following:

• Damaged or deteriorating duct tape
• Detached spans
• Rust
• Dust streaks, often caused by air leaks, stemming from the seams

After noting any issues, go from room to room to observe air flow. When duct segments become detached, it can cause uneven temperatures throughout the home which in turn overloads your HVAC system.

Call in a Professional Contractor

Finally, you’ll want to speak with a licensed technician to schedule what’s called a duct blower test.  During this test the home’s ductwork is pressurized, using a blower fan, to determine the level of air flow needed to maintain pressure. Next, a computer determines the amount of air leakage compared to the air flow throughout the home to figure out what upgrades may be necessary.

For more information on replacing or upgrading your current ductwork contact Air-Tro Inc., serving Pasadena-area residents since 1969.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the greater Monrovia, California area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).

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