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6 Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Home’s Ductwork

Ductwork is an important part of every home. Without it, your HVAC system cannot carry air effectively throughout your home. Your home’s ductwork quietly serves its primary purpose hidden above ceilings, behind walls, or running through your basement or attic.

Although many homeowners forget about it due to its hidden placement, ductwork also needs attention, repairs, replacement, and maintenance from time to time. Below are six common signs that indicate it’s time to replace your home’s air ducts.

1. Poor Air Quality

Aging and poorly fitted air ducts can lead to low air quality in your home. Poor air quality can worsen asthma and allergy symptoms and cause irritated eyes, stuffy noses, and other health issues. If your ductwork has holes and cracks or poorly attached joints, dust within your walls and ceiling can enter the air ducts.

When your heater or air conditioning unit switches on, the pushed air inside the air ducts will stir up the dust, pushing it into the living space. Although an HVAC filter can help control the dust that enters your house, it can only do so much. To prevent dirt and other allergens from invading your ductwork and living space, install new air ducts to handle the load.

2. Noisy Operation

Your HVAC unit is designed to make some noise while running. However, the noise should not be excessively loud. If you notice some rattling noises or ductwork vibrations when your HVAC is cooling or heating your house, then you need to have a duct inspection.

Air ducts are connected using fiberglass or plastic joints. If some joints get damaged, you will often hear whistling or rattling sounds originating from your ductwork. If there are cracks or holes in the air ducts, you’ll also notice loud sounds, especially when air is circulating through the ducts. Contact a ductwork expert to inspect the ducts because they will only get worse if you ignore them.

3. Musty Smells

Do parts of your home smell musty? And is the odor more pronounced when you turn on your HVAC unit? The musty smell may indicate mildew or mold growth within your air ducts, which can be dangerous to your health.

Holes, cracks, or poorly secured joints within the ductwork can allow warm air to enter the ducts and form condensation. Because mold thrives in moist and warm places, leaking ductwork provides a perfect environment for breeding microbes. If you are experiencing musty odors in your home, schedule an inspection to determine the culprit behind the smell. After the HVAC inspection, the expert will let you know if sealing the holes or having a duct replacement is the best solution depending on your circumstances.

4. Inconsistent Heating

If there is uneven heating or cooling in some part of your home, your ductwork may not be working correctly. You can use an indoor thermometer to check the temperatures. If the temperatures have a difference of one or two degrees, ductwork leaks may be to blame.

Schedule a ductwork inspection with an experienced HVAC service to determine what is causing the problem. If there are duct leaks or your ductwork has other problems interfering with proper airflow, ductwork replacement is the best solution.

5. Aging Ductwork

Air ducts last for approximately 10 to 15 years. If you maintain your ductwork well, you should not experience any issues when clean air is delivered to your home. But once the ductwork begins to reach the end of its expected lifespan, it can start to malfunction and deteriorate regardless of how well you maintained it. The age of your air ducts is a clear sign that you need ductwork replacement.

6. High Utility Bills

There are many reasons why your energy bills may be skyrocketing. You may have an outdated HVAC unit or some insulation problems in your home. However, most homeowners overlook the possibility of outdated ductwork.

Sometimes, leaks in old ductwork can cause cold and warm air to escape on its way to the vents. As a result, the air conditioner or furnace will have to work harder to keep your house comfortable. You may need to have your air ducts replaced to solve this problem permanently and to maximize efficiency.

Partner With Reliable Ductwork Professionals

If you notice any of the above signs or suspect failing air ducts, contact our professionals at Breeze Air Conditioning. Using high-tech equipment, our experts will inspect and determine the integrity of your ductwork. Depending on the condition of the air ducts, we can recommend professional duct cleaning or complete ductwork replacement.

We also offer AC, heating, and air quality services to the residents of Palm Desert, CA, and its surroundings. To schedule your appointment or learn more about our different services, give us a call today.