Signs of Duct Aging

Your ductwork may not be visible to the naked eye, and you may not even think about it until it's time to replace it. But the age of your ductwork can have a direct impact on how well your heating, ventilation and air conditioning system performs.

Old ductwork that's worn out over time can gradually reduce your HVAC system's energy efficiency, decrease your comfort, and even degrade your home's air quality. Once you're familiar with the signs of aging ductwork, it's easy to spot them and implement appropriate measures.

Signs Your Old Ductwork Needs Replacement

Here are some signs that your old ductwork needs to be replaced.

Signs of deterioration or damage

Although ductwork can't be examined behind walls and ceilings, the overall condition of your system can be assessed by looking for accessible sections in your attic, garage, or crawlspace. Holes and gaps in your ductwork, corrosion of metal, lack of insulation, crushed or disconnected sections are signs to be concerned about.

Reduced energy efficiency

Increased energy consumption in your home, when your energy usage hasn't changed and you've maintained your HVAC equipment well, can be directly linked to energy losses caused by deteriorating ductwork.

Aging ductwork

Ductwork that has been in place for 15 years or more often has significant design flaws. Modern HVAC system installers use Manual D calculations to optimize the size and layout of ducts to ensure proper airflow throughout the system.

Poor air quality

Age-related deterioration of the return side of your ductwork can allow harmful and unhealthy particles to be drawn into your home's HVAC system, contaminating your air supply. People with worsening asthma, allergies, or other breathing problems should understand that this could be caused by neglected ductwork.

Comfort issues

If you're experiencing temperature inconsistencies and cold/hot spots in different rooms due to poor overall ductwork, leaks, and deterioration, it could be affecting how much cooled/heated air reaches the registers.

Call Your HVAC Contractor for Duct Inspection

If you're concerned that your Philadelphia home's outdated ductwork is compromising your home's comfort, air quality, and overall energy efficiency, contact us at AC Comfort HVAC LLC today for a professional duct system inspection.