Ductwork, like anything else, ages and deteriorates, and sometimes needs repair and even replacing. Since your ducts are out of sight, you should inspect them or have them inspected every few years. Following are some of the criteria you can use to determine whether you should consider replacing your ducts.

Age

How old are your ducts? If you have an older home, chances are the original ducts were not of the highest quality, and weren’t meant to last for the home’s lifetime. Generally after 10 years or so, seals, joints, and seams in the original ductwork start to deteriorate. At the very least, you should inspect your ductwork now and then to ensure all segments are connected and there are no holes or missing or torn insulation. Look for seams of black dust, which indicate leaks. If your ducts show extensive damage and deterioration, consider repairing or replacing them.

Poor Air Flow

Do some of your rooms seem to have a reduced flow of air? That may be because duct segments have become disconnected, or some of the ducts may even have collapsed or there’s a kink in them. Ask your HVAC technician to have a look at the ducts to make sure everything is connected properly. Also ask about the design of your ducts; sometimes a different configuration can improve air flow.

Inadequate Sizing

Ducts in an older home may have originally been designed to accommodate a smaller volume of air than they are currently carrying. Perhaps at one time, there was only a furnace in the home, or the original air conditioner was smaller than the one you now have. If you’re contemplating getting a new HVAC system installed, ask the consultant to use Manual D, the industry software, to calculate the right size of the ductwork for the system you’re planning on installing. Replacing the ducts may be necessary for you to get the superior comfort and efficiency you’re expecting from your new system. Improperly sized ductwork can cause your HVAC system to expire sooner than the actual equipment’s life expectancy.

For more on replacing your ductwork, contact Powers Heating and Air of Peachtree City. We proudly serve Fayette and Coweta counties.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Peachtree City, Georgia and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about ductwork and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 770-487-2040.

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