When Should Ductwork Be Replaced?
The ductwork in your home is able to last for a long time. When it is installed, the idea is that you should not have to replace it for a number of years because it is efficient at doing the job that it should. After some time though, the ductwork is going to quit being as efficient and you will need to take some steps to help get it replaced.
According to Rhode Island HVAC Services, who provides HVAC in Providence, RI, your ductwork will usually need to be replaced by the time they are 15 years old.They are not as efficient during this time and you will need to replace them to cut down on high energy bills. Poor indoor air quality and strange noises throughout the ductwork of your home can be signs that it is time to get it replaced. Working with a professional HVAC service will help you get this work done.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the signs you should look for when it is time to get the ductwork replaced in your home.
The Age of the Ductwork
The older the ductwork gets, the more problems will arise. Ductwork will often last between 10 to 15 years before you start to see a lot of problems with it. If the ducts are more than 15 years old, then you should consider getting them replaced. It is at this age that the homeowner may notice some gaps forming in the ductwork. Some of the sections may start to collapse at this age. You can have a professional take a look at it to see whether the ductwork needs to be replaced.
High Energy Bills
When your energy bills start to go up, they may assume that the whole HVAC system needs to be replaced. This can sometimes be the case, but if the system is newer and efficient, then that can’t be the main problem. It could be with the ductwork. You may find that you are losing energy through some of the leaks in your current ductwork.
To figure out whether this is the issue or not, you can have a professional come to do a blower door test. If the leaks are pretty small with this, then it is easier to seal up the ductwork rather than replacing it. When the leaks end up being larger, you may need to replace larger sections of the ductwork. When you do this, then. You will see a reduction in your energy bills.
Poor Indoor Air Quality
Another issue to look for is that the air quality in your home has gone down. If there are holes and gaps throughout the ductwork, then it is possible for various pollutants to bypass the filtration system in the HVAC system. This is going to cause the quality of air to go down and can result in irritated eyes, allergies, and other health complaints for those who are inside the property.
Poor air quality is going to be caused thanks to mold in the ductwork. When this happens, you should start to notice a type of odor coming through the HVAC system. As soon as you notice this issue, it is time to call in the right HVAC professional as soon as you can before the spread of mold gets worse and makes someone sick.
Strange Noises
You should listen to some of the noises that are coming out of the HVAC system. If there are a lot of strange noises out of the system, then it may be time to get the ductwork replaced. Some of the noises that you may notice include shaking and rattling. If there are other noises that are hard to explain, then this could be an issue that is even more serious and you need to find a professional to help with it right away.
The rattling that you hear from the ducts is often a sign that something in the ductwork is loose and someone needs to come in and get it secured. You may even hear a whistling sound that will come through the ducts, and this is a big sign that the ducts have some holes in them. No matter which of these two issues you notice, it is a sign that something is off with the ductwork and you may need to get the ductwork replaced by a professional.
Looking for the Signs of Bad Ductwork
There are a lot of signs that you need to pay attention to when it is time to replace the ductwork and keep the whole HVAC system up and running well. The issues above are the most common issues and when you notice them, it is time to contact an HVAC professional to help take care of the issue for you. If the system is more than 15 years old and the ductwork has not been updated in that time, that is another sign to get some work done too.