Your ductwork is a vital component of your HVAC system, delivering conditioned air to your living space in order to keep your Twin Cities home comfortable. Ductwork problems can cause issues with airflow, robbing your home of energy and comfort. Here are five common duct issues to look for in your home:
- Blind-alley ducts. Occasionally a builder will utilize part of a home’s structure as a component of the duct system, to save money. An example would be using the spaces between ceiling or basement joists to contain airflow, wh
ich can result in a considerable loss of energy. Blind-alley ducts occur when an error causes these ducts to hit a dead end, resulting in no source of heat for the room it was intended to supply. Signs of this type of issue are the absence of airflow from the register and a room that is always too cold. - Inadequate seals. Ductwork should be sealed with a duct mastic or silicone caulk. If duct tape was used previously, you may notice it fraying or peeling, as it’s quick to lose its adhesive properties.
- Damaged or disconnected ducts. Inspect all visible ductwork for gaps, cracks or holes and have these areas sealed. If the ductwork is insulated, you may notice dark patches on the insulation, indicating a break in the ductwork underneath. This dark matter is dirt that collects on the insulation as air is drawn through.
- No return-side ductwork. If your HVAC system does not contain sufficient return ductwork and your furnace is in an unconditioned space, it will have to work harder in an effort to warm the surrounding cold air prior to delivery.
- Lack of insulation. One of the biggest ductwork problems is energy loss through heat transfer. This can occur when ductwork runs through unconditioned areas such as a crawlspace or attic, and is easily rectified by wrapping exposed ductwork with insulation.
For more information or assistance with your ductwork problems, give us a call at Marsh Heating & Air Conditioning. Since 1974, our goal has been to provide quality service to the residents of the Twin Cities metro area.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about ductwork and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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