Your home’s air ducts are essential to the heating and air conditioning process. Air ducts work by delivering heated or cooled air throughout your house for year-round comfort. Like any other HVAC system component, air ducts can succumb to wear and tear.
Common air duct problems lead to a loss of efficiency, potentially impacting your indoor air quality. Fixing air leaks is the most common air duct repair we make at Ravinia Plumbing, Sewer, Heating & Electric.
Why are Leaky Ducts a Problem?
Imagine turning on your faucet and only a trickle comes out. That’s essentially what happens with leaky ducts. Treated air escapes from cracks, holes, or poorly sealed connections, reducing the amount that reaches your air vents. Faulty air ducts full of cracks, gaps, or loose connections force your HVAC system to work harder to maintain the desired temperature, leading to higher energy bills and increased wear on the unit.
Studies by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggest leaky ducts can waste up to 30% of the heating and cooling energy consumed by your furnace, heat pump, or air conditioner. Additionally, leaky and poorly insulated ducts can allow unconditioned air (warm air from the attic in summer, cold air from the crawl space in winter) to mix with conditioned air in exposed ductwork, further impacting comfort and efficiency.
Signs You Might Have Leaky Air Ducts
While you won’t see your air ducts very often, there are telltale signs that leaks might be present:
- Uneven Heating and Cooling: Do some rooms feel consistently drafty or uncomfortably warm? This could indicate uneven air flow and air pressure problems due to leaks in the ducts serving those areas.
- Rising Energy Bills: If your energy bills seem inexplicably high, leaks in your air ducts could be to blame. Your HVAC system is working overtime to compensate for lost conditioned air.
- Increased Dust: Leaky return ducts can pull in dust and allergens from unconditioned spaces, leading to increased dust settling in your home.
- Visible Dust Around Ducts: Leaks often manifest as visible dust around duct connections or access panels.
If you notice any of these issues, it’s time to contact Ravinia Plumbing for air duct repair. Our air duct services are designed to eliminate these issues so you can enjoy energy-efficient heating and air conditioning once more.
Diagnosis and Ductwork Repair
Contact our qualified HVAC technicians to diagnose and repair air ducts in your home. We perform a thorough inspection, including:
- Visual Inspection: Technicians look for visible signs of leaks, like gaps, tears, or disconnected duct sections.
- Duct Pressure Testing: This diagnostic test measures the air pressure within the duct system. Leaks will cause pressure to drop in specific areas.
- Infrared Camera Inspection: In some cases, technicians might use infrared cameras to detect temperature differences around ducts, potentially revealing leaks.
Once leaks are identified, the technician will recommend duct repairs. Common solutions include:
- Sealing Leaks: Technicians use mastic, a specialized sealant, to close gaps and cracks in the ductwork.
- Improving Duct Connections: Existing connections in faulty ducts are tightened or resealed to prevent leaks.
- Replace Ductwork: In severe cases, sections or your entire duct system might need complete duct replacement.
Preventing Leaks and the Need for Air Duct Repair
Regular maintenance is helpful to prevent leaks and improve the performance of your air duct system. By paying attention to your air ducts and addressing issues promptly, you can avoid the need for frequent air duct repair and premature air duct replacement.
During routine HVAC system maintenance or attic and basement cleaning, take a moment to visually inspect your ducts for any visible damage. Over time, duct insulation can deteriorate. Replacing damaged insulation helps maintain conditioned air temperature within the ducts.
Keep Your Comfort Flowing
Leaky ducts are a common air duct system issue, but they’re also preventable and fixable. By being aware of the signs and taking proactive steps like scheduling regular maintenance, you can ensure your air duct system delivers optimal comfort and efficiency for years to come. Remember, a well-maintained air duct system saves you money, keeps your home comfortable, and promotes better indoor air quality.
At Ravinia Plumbing we offer comprehensive HVAC services, including inspecting for faulty air ducts and ductwork repair. Our HVAC system technicians can diagnose leaks and implement effective solutions, from repairs to installing replacement ductwork, to restore your air duct system’s efficiency. Contact us today to schedule an appointment an
