Your HVAC air ducts have a major impact on the health, comfort, and efficiency of your Dallas, GA home. Whether leaky, dirty, or ill-suited to your current heating and cooling equipment, old air ducts can inhibit airflow. They can decrease your indoor air quality (IAQ) and raise your home energy bill. To help you avoid these problems and more, consider the following signs.
Every 10 to 15 Years
The average lifespan of residential ductwork is 10 to 15 years. After a decade of service, air ducts are increasingly likely to have loose, sagging sections. Aging, exposed air ducts can also have multiple dents and perforations. When it nears the end of its lifespan, ductwork is often riddled with built-up dust and other debris. If your air ducts are 15 years or older, the best time to replace them is now.
During AC or Heater Replacement
The average lifespan of furnaces, heat pumps, and air conditioners is between 12 and 20 years. This closely matches the expected service life of HVAC ducts. Replacing your air ducts when replacing your heating or cooling equipment allows for optimum compatibility and airflow. Your installer can streamline your new air ducts to perfectly suit the needs and nuances of your new heater or AC.
Following Pest Infestation
HVAC air ducts are highly attractive to insects, rodents, and other common pests. They provide a safe, secure, and warm hiding space where pests can breed and roam freely. They also offer easy access to indoor areas where pests can often find accessible food stores or water.
In-duct pests leave lots of pathogenic detritus behind, including:
- Exoskeletons
- Wings
- Fur
- Food
- Feces
- Carcasses
This debris can inhibit airflow and cause multiple IAQ concerns. It can also set the stage for rank, moldering odors during HVAC operation, and elevated humidity.
Structural Damage Pest in Ductwork
Not only do pests leave behind lots of waste, but they can also cause structural damage. Fast-moving raccoons, rodents, and other heavy animals can create loose, sagging sections, rips, tears, and insulation damage. If a recent pest infestation left your air ducts worse for wear, schedule duct replacement.
During HVAC air duct replacement, your installer can identify all existing points of ingress and shore them up. They’ll look for loose or missing vent covers and gaps in surrounding building materials.
Recurring Pest Problems
Replacing ductwork following a major pest infestation is often a great way to prevent the problem from returning. This is especially true of rodent infestations. When rats move through ductwork, they rub their bodies against duct walls and leave oily deposits behind. These residues are rife with odorous pheromones that attract other rats.
When scheduling professional duct cleaning following pest infestation, be sure to request sanitization and deodorizing as well. If these treatments don’t deter future pest problems, putting all-new ducts in could be your best bet.
During Mold Remediation
A healthy, high-functioning HVAC system can greatly minimize your risk of mold. By regulating indoor humidity and offering even and consistent temperature control, your HVAC system could be your best ally in mold prevention. But if you already have mold problems, your HVAC air ducts will spread mold spores from room to room.
There are several signs that you have mold in your air ducts:
- Persistent earthy or musty smells during HVAC use
- Colorful patches of mold on or behind air vent covers
- Mold on HVAC air filters
- Heavy condensation on or near air ducts
Duct replacement alone won’t eliminate widespread mold problems. But in serious cases, it’s an important step in mold remediation.
Recurring Indoor Air Quality Concerns
According to the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA), homeowners should schedule professional duct cleaning every three to five years. But with advanced aging, ducts can have tough, tacky accumulations that are impervious to mechanical agitation, negative air pressure, and other professional cleaning techniques. Small bits of this built-up debris can break free during active heating and cooling cycles. When it reenters the indoor air, this debris can cause unpleasant IAQ symptoms, such as:
- General skin irritation
- Itchy, watery eyes
- Recurring bouts of coughing or wheezing
- Sinus and nasal irritation
Poor IAQ can be especially problematic for vulnerable residents. These include people with chronic respiratory ailments such as asthma or allergies, aging adults, the terminally ill, and infants.
HVAC air duct replacement isn’t a fix-all for most IAQ concerns. You might need a whole-house air purifier, a whole-house dehumidifier, or another integrated IAQ accessory. But if you have loose, leaky, or severely aged air ducts, replacing them could lead to significant IAQ improvements.
Recurring Problems With Short-Cycling, Overheating, or Shutdowns
Old, dirty, and damaged air ducts place tremendous strain on heaters and air conditioners. When ductwork is ready for replacement, furnaces, ACs, and heat pumps have to work harder to circulate conditioned air. This can lead to longer and far less effective heating and cooling cycles. It can also cause recurring issues with short-cycling, overheating, icing, and shutdown.
During heater and AC maintenance and repair services, HVAC technicians test airflow. They also inspect exposed ductwork for visible damage and leaks. If technicians determine that your ductwork is the underlying cause of airflow issues, they may recommend duct replacement.
HVAC Zoning Installation
HVAC zoning divides homes into separate zones or service areas. HVAC technicians section off air ducts to service each zone by installing duct dampers and other zoning components. In most cases, homeowners don’t have to replace their air ducts for zoning installation, but zoning projects do require significant duct modification. Opting to replace your current ductwork with ducts specially made for zoning will optimize your outcome.
Static Pressure Management
The top challenge of zoning an HVAC system with existing ductwork is mitigating increases in static pressure. Whenever you block the flow of conditioned air, unwanted air builds up in the ductwork.
HVAC technicians can mitigate increases in static pressure by installing bypass ducts or oversized ductwork. Both options give unwanted air a place to go. Depending upon the mitigation technique your zoning installer uses, a full-on duct replacement could be the most cost-effective choice. This is especially true when considering all the efficiency and IAQ benefits that new ductwork provides.
Loud Banging or Rattling Sounds
The constant temperature-related expansion and contraction of ductwork leads to loose connections, weakened seals, and loud rattling or clanging sounds over time. While your new AC, heat pump, or furnace might offer whisper-quiet performance, your old air ducts could still be disruptive. If you’re tired of being jolted awake by noisy ductwork, consider duct replacement.
Severe Structural Damage
The most obvious sign that you need new ductwork is severe structural damage. Take a look at the exposed air ducts in your attached garage, basement, attic, or utility room. If you see advanced corrosion, major dents, or multiple perforations, schedule a full or partial duct replacement right away.
Unmanageable Heating and Cooling Costs
According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and studies performed at the University of Florida, air ducts can waste up to 40% of the heating and cooling energy that HVAC systems produce. Homeowners can limit these losses by having their air ducts professionally insulated and sealed and by replacing aging ductwork in a timely fashion. If your home energy bills are on the rise but your heating and cooling equipment is in excellent condition, duct damage is the likely culprit.
Since 1985, Precision Heating & Air has proudly served Dallas and the surrounding communities with top-notch HVAC service. We offer professional air duct cleaning and advanced indoor air quality support. If you have questions about the age, integrity, or performance of your air ducts, we can help. Give Precision Heating & Air a call today for expert duct service.
