As a Palmetto homeowner, you’ve probably considered the distinct possibility of leaking pipes. After all, plumbing is the home’s water source, and those pipes can wear down or crack over time.
What you may not have realized is that there’s another type of leak you need to look out for: leaking ductwork. No, leaky ducts won’t flood your home, but that doesn’t mean you should let duct repair fall by the wayside.
Because your HVAC ducts may be out of sight, they’re probably also out of mind. We’re here to tell you why even a small tear in your ducts can present major problems. Read on to learn more.
The Dangers of Leaking Ductwork
First, let’s talk about why you should invest in duct repair when you notice that one or more of your ducts are leaking. From negative impacts on your air quality to energy waste to increased costs, there are many hidden dangers at play.
Mold Growth
Mold can start to grow indoors when moisture is present, and your HVAC system has a tendency to create moisture as warm air and cool air collide. These conditions are often worse in areas of the home that are already damp and have low ventilation, like basements or attics, which happen to be prime spots for exposed ductwork.
When dealing with leaky ducts, you may notice an increase in mold growth as the holes suck in mold spores and circulate them throughout the home. According to the CDC, indoor mold can exacerbate respiratory problems like asthma and allergies. In severe cases, mold can cause additional health problems like dizziness, confusion, and headaches.
Pest Infestations
Pests, particularly vermin and insects, seek out contained places to nest. They tend to move indoors to escape harsh weather and find undisturbed areas to set up camp.
Holes and tears in ductwork create entry points to ideal nesting areas. When pests find a safe place to live, they often start to reproduce, and a small problem becomes a large infestation. Plus, droppings, exoskeletons, and other pest byproducts can have a negative impact on your air quality when they’re trapped in your ducts.
Energy Inefficiency
Ductwork has an important role to play in the heating and cooling of your Palmetto, GA home. Ducts transport temperature-controlled air from the HVAC system to other rooms throughout your house. When there are holes, tears, or loose joints in your ducts, a lot of that air isn’t going to circulate properly.
If your conditioned air is getting dumped in your basement or attic, your HVAC system is going to start working harder to try to bring the house to the desired temperature. In fact, leaking ductwork can reduce your HVAC system’s energy efficiency by up to 20%.
Air Quality Concerns
As we mentioned already, leaking ductwork can contribute to mold growth and the spread of mold spores. However, this isn’t the only way that leaky ducts can reduce your indoor air quality.
For example, a leaking duct located near a combustion appliance could contribute to back-drafting. In simplest terms, back-drafting occurs when harmful gases, like carbon monoxide, get trapped inside your home, rather than getting ventilated out. Leaky ducts can also pull in pollutants like pollen and dust and circulate them through your air vents.
Increased HVAC Repair Costs
Something as simple as a small leak in one of your ducts can lead to increasing HVAC repair costs. Thanks to the increase in trapped pollutants, you may find that you need to invest in duct cleaning and filter replacements more frequently.
Plus, decreasing efficiency doesn’t just waste energy. That energy waste occurs because the internal mechanisms are working harder to try to achieve the same results. This puts more strain on individual HVAC components, requiring frequent repairs and replacements.
The Signs of Leaking Ductwork
Because tears and loose joints in ductwork aren’t as obvious as a leaking pipe, they’re easy to miss. Here are some of the signs that your air ducts may be leaking (and what else those signs may point to).
Increasing Electric Bills
One of the first things you may notice is that your energy bills start to increase. This tends to happen in the winter and summer seasons due to increased HVAC usage, but leaky ducts can contribute to an unusually high increase.
There are other issues that can impact your electric bill. For example, if your HVAC system is more than ten years old or hasn’t been serviced in the last year, your issue may be general wear and tear.
Inconsistent Heating and Cooling
Because a leaking duct is releasing forced air in the wrong places, it may lead to inconsistent heating and cooling. For example, you may notice that one side of the house feels temperature-controlled while the other doesn’t.
This is a common problem after homeowners build additions onto their homes without adding more return and supply vents. If, however, you’ve made no changes to your home and notice this problem, it’s likely due to leaking ductwork.
Low Vent Pressure
Your HVAC system kicks on and you can hear it working hard, but nothing seems to be happening. When you put your hands in front of the vents throughout your home, you don’t feel a ton of forced air coming through.
When you can hear your HVAC system working but feel low vent pressure, it’s possible that you need to have your vents cleaned and your filters replaced. If you’ve taken care of both recently, the next thing to investigate is the possibility of leaking ducts.
Call Progressive AC for Palmetto Duct Services
Leaking ductwork isn’t as easy to spot as a leaking pipe. Keep an eye out for the signs of leaking air ducts and never ignore them when they arise. If you do, your wallet and your air quality will both suffer.
Do you need duct repair and other HVAC services in Palmetto, GA? Progressive AC has been providing expert services and Carrier products to Atlanta metro area residents for 30 years. Contact us for the HVAC services you need and the customer service you deserve.