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All You Need to Know About Leaky Ducts and HVAC Performance
If you're experiencing poor HVAC performance in your home or commercial building, leaky ducts may be to blame. Leaky ducts can result in significant energy loss, increased utility bills, and less comfortable temperatures indoors.
Leaky ducts are a major issue that can slowly but surely degrade your HVAC system. Here’s all you need to know about leaky ducts and HVAC performance.
What Is a Leaky Duct?
Ducts are the passages inside your HVAC system that deliver and remove air from the room. Over time, these ducts become susceptible to regular wear and tear. Their material can become corroded, the joints can become misaligned, and the seals can deteriorate. Once cracks, seams, or holes begin appearing, the ducts can result in leaks which lead to inefficiencies in the system.
Leaky ducts are a major issue that affects
more than 95% of old homes in the United States.
3 Ways Leaky Ducts Impact HVAC Performance
Leaky ducts and HVAC performance are closely connected. When leaks appear, your HVAC performance will inevitably be negatively affected.
How can you tell when a leaky duct is impacting your HVAC’s performance?
- Reduced Energy Efficiency
Leaky ducts can cause significant energy loss and lead to higher energy bills. This is because inefficient HVAC systems need to work harder and consume more energy than fully functioning systems so it achieves the desired temperature settings indoors.
When you have a leaky duct, it forces your HVAC unit to run on longer cycles and more frequently. If neglected, it can necessitate repairs and may even damage your system to the point where you need to replace the entire appliance.
2. Uncomfortable Indoor Temperatures
When your HVAC stops working as it should, it starts failing to perform its job as efficiently. Hence, you may notice that your temperatures inside aren’t as comfortable as before. Sometimes, this is accompanied by hot or cold spots where the temperature becomes uneven in different parts of a room.
3. Poor Indoor Air Quality
Leaky ducts can also affect indoor air quality. As air is drawn into the HVAC system through leaky ducts, it can bring in dust, dirt, and other contaminants which can negatively influence indoor air quality. This can be particularly problematic for people with allergies or respiratory issues.
What Causes Leaking Ducts?
There are several reasons why leaky ducts happen:
Aging Ductwork
Over time, your ductwork experiences regular wear and tear. Vibrations, high levels of humidity, and temperature fluctuations can speed up its deterioration.
Your Foundation Settles
When your foundation shifts due to uncompacted soil, heavy rainfall, flooding, or earthquakes that affect the soil underneath, the seams of your HVAC system can get damaged and leak.
Imbalance in Pressure
Ideally, the pressure from the ducts that remove and deliver air shouldn’t be very different from each other. When there is a significant disparity in air pressure between the two, air can be forced through the joints of the duct.
Pests
Pests are another cause of damage. Large pests like squirrels and rats can harm your duct even if they don’t get inside.
How To Fix Leaky Ducts
If you suspect that your HVAC system’s performance is being impaired by leaky ducts, there are several steps you can take to fix the issue:
- Conduct a Duct Inspection
The first step in fixing leaky ducts is to conduct a duct inspection. This involves having a professional HVAC technician inspect your ductwork for leaks, gaps, and other issues that may be affecting HVAC performance.
2. Seal the Leaks
Once your ductwork has been inspected, any leaks or gaps will need to be sealed. This can be done using specialized duct sealing materials, such as duct tape or mastic sealant. A professional HVAC technician will be able to recommend the best solution for your specific situation.
3. Insulate Ductwork
In addition to sealing leaky ducts, insulating your ductwork can also help improve HVAC performance. Insulation can help prevent energy loss and ensure that air is distributed evenly throughout the room.
Got A Leaky Duct? Call C&G Heating & Air Conditioning
Leaky ducts can lead to bigger and more expensive damage if they aren’t fixed properly. Hence, it’s best to call for HVAC repair from companies like C&G Heating & Air Conditioning
if you have issues regarding leaky ducts and HVAC performance.
Our friendly, efficient, and reliable services include duct cleaning and ductwork repair so you can be sure that your HVAC system is working as it should. Call us today at
(334) 489-3329 or
(706) 538-4951. We’ll be happy to help!
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