Some homeowners hardly think about the ductwork of their air conditioning system until a serious problem occurs. Such people may not know the signs that they should look out for in order to take prompt action before a developing problem escalates. This article discusses some of the signs that the air ducts in your home are developing problems.
Abnormal Noises
Conditioned air usually moves noiselessly within ducted HVAC systems. That quiet operation can be disrupted when those ducts develop a problem, such as an accumulation of dirt or dust. Such dirt causes the ducts to become narrower than they should be. The net result of this narrowing is that the ducts will begin rattling as they expand and contract to accommodate the flow of air. You should therefore have those ducts cleaned when you hear them making noise as air travels through them.
Condensation
You may also suspect that the ducts are developing a problem if you observe them "sweating" as they transmit conditioned air throughout your home. Such condensation can easily be observed in the attic or crawlspace. This condensation can form when the flow rate of air has been adversely affected by several factors, such as a partial blockage in a section of a duct. This causes water molecules to form at the point of the partial blockage because the air inside that part of the duct may be warmer than the ambient air. The condensation can be so much that water damage can occur on the section of the ceiling beneath the affected part of the ducts. Removing the clog and insulating the ducts may fix the condensation problem.
Higher Energy Costs
Another possible indicator that the ductwork in your home has a problem is an unexplainable increase in your energy bill. That increased use of energy may be due to dirty ducts that force the components of the system to work harder in order to push conditioned air through the blockages in the system. A leak in a duct can also raise energy costs because conditioned air will keep escaping to the attic or crawlspace.
It is imperative that you don't rush to take any action as soon as you observe one of the symptoms above. Ask a professional to inspect the entire system so that he or she can isolate other factors that could have caused the symptom that you noticed. The right solution to the problem can then be implemented cost effectively.
