7 Spooky Signs of Air Duct Trouble

Our home’s intricate web of ductwork is often the last thing we take into consideration when it comes to taking care of our home’s heating and cooling system needs. As long as we have cool air in the summer and warm air in the winter, all too often the sense we get is an erroneous one ‒ a sense that all is well when all-too-often it’s not.

Having said that, a home’s air duct system plays an indispensable role in a home’s ventilation. Without air ducts, our home’s HVAC system wouldn’t be able to transport all that cozy treated air from room to room, and level to level, in our homes.

In realizing this, one might even wonder: Why do so many homeowners neglect the condition of their air duct system?

The phrase, “out of sight, out of mind” comes to mind.

Often our duct systems are forgotten about because of their usual placement beneath our floors and in our walls, concealed from the everyday naked eye.

Because air ducts are a sort of “unsung hero” that are often in much-need of attention, repairs, maintenance, cleaning, and even replacement periodically, we at Lebanon Heating & Cooling put together the following list of seven signs that it’s past time to give your air ducts some love and attention.

1.) Old Age
Similar to an AC unit, air ducts are typically good for up to around 10 years, provided they’re taken care of. Over even a few years, their seals can become loose, their joints might need tightened down, and their seams become susceptible to wear and tear. In any event, deterioration and damage can happen without the slightest hint of a warning sign and cause a host of problems for an HVAC system. Namely, among such problems, one might see a costly rise in their energy bill as the system has to work harder to satisfy desired temperature levels. This is hard on your system as well, leading to poor performance, decreasing HVAC system lifespans, and leading to overall discomfort inside your home. This is just to name a few. Like any component in an HVAC system, air ducts are subject to damage and wear and tear. This underscores the importance of seasonal maintenance, at which time a certified technician can spot these kinds of things.

2.) Inadequate Airflow
Proper airflow is such a crucial component, essential to any optimally-functioning heating or cooling system. As such, a home’s ductwork plays a vital role in the process of effectively cooling or warming your living spaces. When your ductwork is in less than optimal condition ‒ if it becomes old, dirty, loose, or gets clogged in any way, your HVAC system, and your comfort levels in the home suffer. Once again, we’re talking about higher energy bills and other problems. As such, if you notice your HVAC system’s airflow lacking in any way, perhaps even seeming to be straining, it’s time to give us a call!

3.) Declining Heating or Cooling Performance
If your HVAC system isn’t heating or cooling your home the way it used to, your home’s air ducts might be the reason for this. You might want to have them inspected. A variety of factors can cause your system to strain and make it difficult to keep your home at the desired temperature. Keep in mind, you should always be checking your air filter and replacing it as needed before anything else because a bad air filter is another common cause of these sorts of problems. However, if you know the air filter isn’t to blame, it’s probably best to give us a call.

4.) Loose Tape, Punctures & Dents
A home’s air duct system, when installed, is designed precisely and located strategically every inch of the way to make sure the home gets the full benefit of its furnace and AC. Signs of loose tape, loose ducts, or damages like puncturers and dents can significantly interfere with the operation of your HVAC system. If you notice any such looseness, punctures or denting anywhere in your ductwork, give us a call to assess the damage. One of our friendly, certified HVAC technicians would be happy to come out and investigate the problem to determine if you need some sort of repair or cleaning. They will make informed, expert suggestions according to your specific needs.

5.) Strange Smells, Mold & Mildew
No matter where it crops up its ugly head, mold is a severe problem in a home, no matter how you shake it. When mold makes its way into a home’s duct system, it becomes dangerous. If mold is in your ductwork, every time your HVAC system is on, blowing air, it is spreading mold spores and foul odors all over your home. This results in intense allergies, other potentially serious health problems and a whole list of other nasty problems. Having said that, if your home’s HVAC system is giving off a strange odor, you should give us a call immediately. Although air duct cleanings can help, a full duct system replacement is always the best solution when it comes to mold.

6.) Strange Noises
If you are hearing strange noises arise from your ductwork, this is typically a strong indication of a problem. When ductwork makes any sort of strange or odd noises while the air is flowing through it, you might need a repair or replacement.
At the very least, you should call us to have us check it out.

7.) Poor Design & Improper Installation
Ductwork systems are specifically designed and installed in your home to heat and cool every space as best as possible with maximum efficiency, minimal energy consumption, and optimal performance. If your ductwork was poorly designed or if someone installed it improperly for whatever reason (we aren’t here to point fingers), you will want a professional to look at the issue and make an assessment. Often, replacement is necessary. Poor installation and design in duct systems is one of the top and most common reasons for residential energy loss in the U.S. Even if you have a brand new furnace or AC unit that fits your home perfectly, faulty ductwork can make peak efficiency and comfort impossible. If you are noticing hot and cold spots in different parts of your home, or if you are dealing with less than satisfactory levels of comfort, don’t wait to give us a call. We’d be happy to come out and check out your ductwork.

Call Us for All Your Air Duct Needs!

If you suspect your air ducts are on the decline or even if you just want them checked, we’d be more than happy to come to your home and check them.

Give us at Lebanon Heating & Cooling a call today at (513) 540-1773, click here to schedule now!