Have you ever tried to drink soda with a cracked straw? Upon trying to take a drink, you would be unpleasantly surprised to find that the soda was not quite moving up the straw like it should. That’s because the straw requires a tight seal of air pressure in order to get the liquid into your mouth.
The air ducts in your HVAC system are somewhat similar. If there’s a tear or disconnect in your ductwork, it will create a leak that will compromise the air’s ability to make it through the ducts and into the rooms of your home.
If that’s happening in your ducts, you’ll want to have them sealed immediately. Of course, you can only know for sure by having them tested. Here are a few signs that you should schedule a duct test:
Uneven Heating Throughout the Home
Just like in the example of the straw, an issue with your ducts would mean that air is not making it all the way through your system. That results in some of the rooms not receiving enough treated air, manifesting as hot and cold spots.
For example, if you find that one of the rooms of your home simply refuses to get warm while blasting the heater, that room might not be receiving proper airflow. You can also confirm your suspicions by feeling how much air comes out of the air vent.
Depending on where the leaks are, it’s possible they can affect multiple rooms.
Efficiency Has Been Dropping
The word “efficiency” in the world of HVAC basically refers to how much you’re spending on your monthly heating or cooling costs. If you’ve noticed that your energy bills are getting higher, yet, you’ve been using your heater or AC the same, then that usually means your efficiency is dropping.
A duct leak, at its worst, can take a significant chunk out of your efficiency. It’s been found that up to 30% of your air can become lost through leaks and tears in the ductwork. Your HVAC system will keep working longer and harder to compensate for all that lost air, and you most likely won’t notice it until you finally get that bill.
Your Home is Older Than 20 Years-Old
If your home was built with ducts, and that home is now over 20 years old, we highly suggest getting a duct test. Leaks and disconnects can occur naturally due to age, and it’s found that most duct systems may need replacement or repairs after the 20-year mark.
If the ducts were installed at a later date but were installed with low-quality materials, that could accelerate the rate at which they deteriorate. Of course, you most likely won’t know that without an inspection.
We suggest having them inspected with your biannual maintenance checks regardless of how old they are. An indoor air quality expert in Delaware can help you determine the state of your ducts while using top of the line equipment to plug up every leak.
Contact Atlantic Refrigeration & Air Conditioning, Inc. today to schedule a service.