The duct work in your home or commercial building may be one of those things that you rarely think about – out of sight, out of mind! However, your ducts play a big role in productivity of your heating and cooling system, as well as the overall air quality of your building. Your duct work is what delivers warm or cool air to every room in your Montana home or business, and as we all know in the heat of summer or dead of winter, we need these systems to work! Much like other forms of maintenance, such as replacing a room or residing a home, are important for the longevity of your house, regularly maintaining and replacing your duct work is also key. Why is that?
Why Is It Necessary to Replace Air Ducts?
It seems so simple – a series of tunnels that take air from one place to another. So why do we need to replace the duct work in our home? There are a few main reasons to regularly replace the duct work in your home, including wear down due to use, health concerns and necessity.
Regular Duct Wear-and-Tear
Even with regular maintenance and scheduled duct cleanings, the duct work in your home is subject to wear and tear. Over time, your duct work will need attention, maintenance, repairs and even replacement. This is because your duct work can deteriorate over time; the ducts move around due to thermal stress and vibrations as it expands with heat and contracts with cool air. This thermal heaving can pull the duct work and seams apart over time, causing leaks. This causes your HVAC system to work harder, putting extra strain on this system and, eventually, your wallet as you must pay for replacements or repairs.
Necessity of a Working Duct System
Air ducts are an essential part of your home. While you may not see them or think about them often, they exist to keep your home properly ventilated and heat or cool your home. The heat you get in the winter and the A/C you feel in the summer, as well as well-circulated air that does not feel stuffy, is all thanks to your duct work.
Air Quality and Your Health
We all know that clean air is an important part of your health and wellbeing, but did you know your duct work plays an integral part in keeping your home clean? Your HVAC system helps remove old or dirty air from your home (think of that filled with dust, pet dander and pollutants) and replaces it with clean air. If your duct work is not functioning properly, this system will have difficulty completing its job and your health may suffer. There are other ways to help improve the air quality in your home, but in reality it starts with your duct work health.
How to Tell When it is Time to Teplace Your Ducts
It can be difficult to know when it is time to replace your duct work. As we discussed above, your ducts are encased in your walls and your ceiling; you rarely look at your duct work. However, there are some common signs that you can look for that may indicate your duct work needs to be replaced.
Duct Aging
The age of your duct work can play a big role in its productivity. Your duct work can last between 10 and 20 years before it deteriorates. Because it is difficult to see your duct work or the extent of its deterioration, experts recommend replacing your duct work every 15 years or so.
Poor Air-Flow
Notice that your HVAC system is not pushing air out at the same force as it used to? This could be a sign that it is time to replace your duct work. If your ducts are old, damaged or dirty, it could reduce the efficiency of the whole system, which could result in higher bills for you.
Poor Heating and Cooling
If your system isn’t heating or cooling your home as quickly or efficiently as it use to, this may be a sign that there are leaks or clogs in your duck work, causing a strain on your heating and cooling system.
Strange Noises
Is your system making more noise than it used to, including pops, squeals or cracks when it turns on? This could mean that your duct work is moving out of place or that the seams have broken, meaning the system is not working the way it should.
Duct Work Damage
We do not see much of our duct work, but the parts we do see can give us big clue about the health of the system. Are you noticing dents or punctures in your duct work? These may be causing leaks that lower the productivity of your system. A trained HVAC technician can determine if you need a repair or replacement for this section.
Odd Odors From Your System
Mold can be a big problem, especially in your ducts. Smelling something like mildew or noticing stinky odors throughout your home? Mold could be growing in your duct work, and if left unchecked, could cause a lot of problems, including allergies or health complications. While cleanings can help alleviate mold, a replacement is usually the best solution to ensure the issue does not return.
How to Get Your Duct Work Replaced
Getting your duct work replace may sound daunting but leave it up to the professionals to see how simple it can be! The team at Central Heating, Cooling, Plumbing and Electrical. Our professionally trained team can help schedule repairs and replacements that fit you schedule and ensure you are comfortable in your home for many years to come! Give us a call and schedule your duct work today!