Signs That It’s Time To Get Your Ductwork Replaced

Ductwork plays an important role in carrying warm and cool air from your HVAC system to the different rooms in your home. When properly sized and installed, air ducts can also help to improve your home’s energy efficiency. Unfortunately, ductwork can become damaged over the years, and at some point, your ducts may need to be replaced entirely.

Not sure whether your home’s ductwork is due for replacement? Here are the signs to look out for:

Strange Rattling Noises

When your heating or cooling system is running, be on the lookout for any strange noises coming from your ductwork. Rattling and clamoring noises are not normal and could be an indication of loose ductwork that needs to be tightened or replaced altogether. Any whistling noises may indicate leaky ductwork that also needs to be addressed.

Inconsistent Temperatures

Do some areas of your home feel warmer or cooler than others? If so, this could be the sign of a ductwork problem. Sometimes, the issue is that the ductwork was improperly installed in the first place, or that it simply wasn’t sized properly for the square footage of your home and the HVAC system you have. Either way, this is a problem that needs to be addressed quickly to improve your home’s comfort and energy efficiency. Inconsistent temperatures are almost always an airflow problem that can be tied directly back to your ductwork.

High Energy Bills

Have you recently noticed an unexplained increase in your home heating and cooling costs? Old ductwork may be to blame for this problem. Over time, older ductwork is more prone to developing leaks, which can allow air to escape before it even makes it to your home’s air registers. As a result, your heating or cooling system needs to work much harder to keep your home at a comfortable temperature, leading to higher energy bills.

Old Ductwork

In general, you can expect the ductwork in your home to last between 10 and 15 years before it will begin to succumb to wear and tear. At this point, it’s likely that leaks will occur, parts will become loose, and other issues will arise. If you know your home’s ductwork hasn’t been replaced in the past decade, or if you’re not sure when it was last replaced, there’s a good chance that you need new ducts. New ductwork can help to make your home more comfortable all year round and could even improve energy efficiency, thus lowering your bills.

Indoor Air Quality Issues

Have you noticed that your home is dustier or that you’re having issues with your indoor air quality? Perhaps you’ve noticed that you’re coughing and wheezing more due to excess dust and debris in your home. If this is the case, you could be facing a problem with your ductwork that is causing issues with your air quality. This is most often the case when leaks form in ductwork over time, allowing dust and debris that has accumulated to be released into your indoor air.

Ready for Ductwork Replacement?

If your home is showing signs of needing ductwork replacement, your best bet is to contact an HVAC professional to come out to your home for an assessment. They will be able to take a more thorough look at your existing ductwork and determine whether some simple repairs will resolve your issues or if you’re due for a total replacement.

At Comfort Masters Heating & Air Conditioning, we offer both ductwork repair and replacement services. If you’re noticing any signs of ductwork problems in your home, we encourage you to schedule an in-home assessment with our knowledgeable and friendly professionals today. Give us a call at 817-994-4194 to schedule your appointment or find out more about what we can do for you.