Do you ever wonder why some people love their AC so much? Well, according to Buzzfeed, it’s because “it doesn’t talk back, it makes you feel good, and it’s always there for you.”
We can definitely agree on the first two, but the third one? That’s debatable. If you’ve seen your fair share of ACs that do not work like we have, then you know that ‘always’ isn’t true.
The good thing about broken ACs though is that they don’t have to remain broken, especially if you strongly suspect that it’s an HVAC duct problem. Here, we’ll talk about common HVAC duct issues and what you can do about them.
1. Blocked Ductwork
In a previous post, we talked about the importance of preventative maintenance to keep your air conditioning cost low. This is because aside from other potential problems, dust and debris can collect in your HVAC’s ductwork. At first, this may not be a huge deal but over time, it may completely block air flow.
Not only will this lead to varying temperatures but also higher energy consumption, which of course, translates to more energy costs.
2. Leaks
Imagine your vacuum hose having leaks, cracks, and holes. Obviously, it won’t be able to suck up dirt as efficiently as one that’s in pristine condition. The same applies to your ductwork.
If it’s leaky, it can’t cool properly. This usually happens with old HVAC systems or those that were poorly installed. Sometimes, rodents are to blame for gnawing on the HVAC duct parts.
To prevent leaks, duct joints must be sealed properly. For improper installation, your best bet is to have professional HVAC contractors look over the problem so they can either provide a solution or recommend the best course of action to take.
3. Design Issues
Did you recently renovate your home or office?
Perhaps, you forgot to take into account your HVAC system while changing the layout of your home or office areas. Or maybe the ductwork design is flawed, to begin with. Are the ducts too narrow? Are there too many bends? Is your HVAC system placed too far from the areas that need to be cooled?
These are just some of the design issues you could be dealing with, especially if the ones who installed your AC don’t have the expertise to correct for possible air flow problems.
Best Fix for HVAC Duct Problems
Some AC problems such as dirty filters or incorrect thermostat settings are easy enough to troubleshoot. Ductwork issues, on the other hand, are best left to professionals, unless you have experience cleaning or redesigning HVAC systems.
But don’t worry. Calling experts in doesn’t mean you’re throwing away money. As we’ve said, air duct cleaning is still preventative maintenance.
What you’re essentially doing is nipping things in the bud before they cause bigger problems. After all, HVAC systems aren’t exactly cheap. It only makes sense to protect your investment by doing the smart thing.
If you need air duct cleaning service, don’t hesitate to give us a call or get a free estimate.
