Most homes conduct the heated and cooled air provided by HVAC systems through ductwork. These pathways get the air to the vents in the various parts of the home. They’re commonly above ceilings, in attics, between walls, and out of sight. You could almost forget that they’re there, but it’s a good idea to consider their efficiency.
Ductwork doesn’t last forever. It can wear out or get damaged. Then, the precious, expensive air that your furnace or AC brought to the perfect temperature will be lost. Much of it will leak out of the ducts before it gets to the vents. Leaky ducts are shockingly common, and you might be horrified to learn just how much money that old ductwork is costing you. If you think you have duct leaks or any other need for HVAC repair in Milton, WI, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Materials Matter
Not all ducts are the same. They can be made of a variety of materials. The most expensive ducts are also the most sturdy and longest-lasting. They’re made out of sheet metal. The least expensive ducts are also the most flimsy and the quickest to get damaged or worn. They’re made of wire coils wrapped in flexible plastic. Fiberboard and fiberglass ducts are in between: not as expensive as metal, and not as flimsy as flexible ducts.
Damage Is Common
Sadly, one frequent culprit when it comes to duct damage is home improvement. Yes, while you’re trying to make things better, it’s easy to put a screw through a wall or cause something to shift and end up with holes or gaps in your ductwork. Pests such as rodents or insects can also cause sudden damage even to relatively new ducts.
Deterioration Is Inevitable
The passage of time itself will also cause ducts to develop leaks eventually. The vibration of the furnace or air conditioner can cause things to pull apart, leaving gaps. The constant expansion and contraction caused by heating and cooling takes its toll. And particularly when it comes to flexible ducts, the material becomes more brittle with age and can crack.
How Much Ducts Leak
It is estimated that the average US home loses up to 30% of its heated or cooled air to gaps, cracks, and holes in ductwork. Imagine retaining all that heating and cooling power instead of paying extra to make up the difference by running your furnace and AC more and more of the time. You could save so much money.
And 30% is the national average. In Wisconsin, the average age of a home is 47 years. That means your ducts may have been in place for nearly half a century, slowly deteriorating and getting damaged. You could be losing a lot more than 30% of the energy you’re using to heat and cool your home.
Resolve Your Duct Leaks
Localized damage can be repaired. Widespread deterioration may necessitate replacement. How can you tell if you should have your ducts checked? Get help if you hear funny noises such as whistling or rattling from the ducts, if your heating and cooling bills seem too high, if your furnace and AC run too much of the time, or if you notice odd smells, uneven heating and cooling, or poor airflow from some or all of your vents.
You can always count on 24-Hour Home Comfort Services, your heating and cooling specialists.