Should You Replace Your Air Ducts?

Your home’s air duct system is the network of ducts that distribute conditioned air from your air conditioner and furnace or heat pump to all the rooms in your home. Regular cleaning and maintenance will help keep them in good condition. However, there will come a time when they’ll need to be replaced. In today’s post, local air conditioning installation contractor Superior Air discusses the signs that you need new air ducts and why you shouldn’t delay having them replaced. 

The Impact of Worn-Out Air Ducts

Air ducts work by serving as a delivery system from the system’s blower to the rooms in your home. Another set of ducts moves stale air away from the room. The ideal air duct system should be sealed and in good shape. This helps keep the air flowing through them free from indoor air pollutants like dust, dirt and mold spores.

HVAC technicians recommend having air ducts sealed every five years as part of a scheduled air conditioning maintenance routine. Because of the constant flow of air within the ductwork, seals will wear out eventually. Other factors such as moisture and the presence of particles accumulating in crevices can also contribute to deterioration. Leaking air ducts require more output from your air conditioning system, which can result in higher energy bills.

Should You Replace Your Ducts?

With regular maintenance, you can get many years of service out of your air ducts. There are, however, some signs that indicate you’ll have to have your air ducts replaced:

Age — Air ducts typically last 10 to 15 years. If you’re unsure how old your home’s air ducts are, an HVAC technician can determine its age and condition with a thorough inspection. If you’re keeping up with scheduled maintenance, your HVAC technician can give you a heads-up on when your air ducts are due for replacement.

Incorrect design — Improper air duct design usually occurs when the air ducts are designed and built by a DIYer or an uncertified HVAC technician, or the air ducts are designed to work with an older or smaller system. Incorrectly-designed air ducts won’t be as efficient, which can result in high utility costs.

Mold — Mold can be purged from air ducts with a thorough cleaning. However, persistent mold may indicate a larger problem that may require air duct replacement.

Superior Air is your leading provider of air conditioning repair and installation services. Give us a call at (559) 734-2002. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We serve customers in Tulare, CA, and the surrounding communities.