Common Air Duct Issues You May Be Facing

Air ducts are pipes or tubes that link your HVAC system to the air vents. Usually, there are two routes: the supply register and the return register. The supply register passes cool or warm air from your HVAC system into the house. On the other hand, the return register takes the stale air and pushes it outside through the vents. But this process of transporting air back and forth is not without any issues. This article will highlight common air duct issues that you may at one point or another encounter. A common issue is air duct leaks. Leaks usually occur at joints or connections, and they can let outside air into your HVAC system, leading to inefficiency and higher energy bills.

5 Common Air Duct Issues You May Be Facing

1. Poor Airflow: Perhaps, you have noticed that the air doesn’t flow properly from your HVAC system. The air ducts are probably responsible for this issue. HVAC ducts come in different shapes and sizes and can be made out of different materials. Failure to use the appropriate ducts may obstruct the free flow of air and will prevent the system from working efficiently. If the ducts are not fixed properly, they won’t carry air the way they should. This will cause unnecessary strain on the air conditioner or heating system creating more damage in the future. 
2.  Dirty Filters: Your duct filters are probably clogged with dirt and if you don’t check them or maintain them regularly, your HVAC system will not function properly. Ducts carry out a sweeping process— they remove air that has been in the environment and replaces it with fresh air. During this process, the air sweeps off particles, dust, pet hair, and whatever else that’s light enough to be sucked up. But these materials end up clogging the ducts and causes the filters to be contaminated with dirt. This prevents the air ducts from purifying the air effectively. Check your duct filters regularly to ensure that they are not clogged with dirt.
3. Noticeable Noises: Is your HVAC system making weird noises? Have you ever considered that they could be coming from the air ducts? Yes, the noise is probably a good indicator that something is wrong. On occasion, they indeed have a humming sound that lets you know they are active. However, it is abnormal when the sound becomes loud or disturbing. That only happens when there is a fault with the ducts.
4. Poor Insulation & Sealing: Again, getting good installation cannot be overestimated. If your ducts are not properly insulated, heat will escape from them. The sealing also helps to keep unwanted dirt, rodents, and insects away from your ductwork. If you have insects or pests wandering into your home and you haven’t figured out where they come from, have your ducts checked immediately before an infestation can occur. 
5. Leaks: As with all equipment, wear and tear can also affect the quality of your air ducts. If you discover that your HVAC system does not work as well as it used to, the ducts are probably damaged. A common issue could be leakage. When there is leakage found amongst your ducts, the air will not pass in or pass out as it should. It won’t matter how high you raise the HVAC; overall the airflow will be poor.

Practical and Effective Solutions for Common Air Duct Issues

What should you do when you believe there is an issue with your air ducts? It’s an easier solution than you think. Here are five practical and effective tips that can help you maintain your air ducts and keep them in good condition:

Examine Your Air Ducts:

This is the first step you should take before anything else. Sometimes it’s as simple as looking into your vents and finding an obstruction. Make sure nothing is in the way or surrounding the air ducts to ensure better airflow. Check the sealing at the vents and ducts as well. If you find holes or spaces, you should have them looked at and sealed immediately.

Replace Your Filters:

Some filters can last for six months, while others should be replaced monthly. You should examine your current filters. If they are high-end, they tend to last longer. To be safe, however, you should inspect your filters monthly and make note of the date you’ve last checked or replaced them. A good air filter recommendation is the VM13 Filter. Not only are they cost-effective, but they also provide the best air flow and protection from dust, pollen and debris. 

Repair Leaks:

Unless you’re an expert, you may have trouble finding leaks. This is why inspection of visible external parts is so important. Once you find that everything else is in place but there is still an issue, you can then decide to call a professional for an inspection to resolve issues such as leaks. 

Clean Out the Ducts:

This is a good option if you like to get your hands dirty. If not, then I have a suggestion for you. To clean your air ducts, you will need a nose cover, a vacuum cleaner, cleaning cloths, a screwdriver, and a brush. Firstly, wear the nose cover to minimize your exposure to dust and allergens. Next, you should cover the supply register since you don’t want to fill your home with dirty air and debris. After that, turn on the fan to allow the accumulated dust to move freely and clean both registers. You can now turn off the power, unscrew the vents and vacuum the ducts. Fun right? Or you could completely avoid the entirety of the situation by hiring an air duct cleaning services company such as Vacu-Man to get your ducts professionally cleaned.

Air duct cleaning services always do a better job at fixing the problems because they’re experienced and trained to work with your ducts. It is also mainly because they have high-power machines and tools available that you may not have at your own disposal. Vacu-Man specializes in air duct cleaning services. With over 45 years of experience, you can guarantee that they know exactly how to look for and resolve any air duct issues you may be facing. Hire a credible professional to handle your ductwork by contacting us here. Get your free estimate today!