Let’s put it this way—damaged ductwork certainly doesn’t help your furnace, nor your comfort.
We get it, you want your heater to work as effectively and efficiently as possible. Well, then it’s important that you think about the “V” part in “HVAC.” That is the ventilation that connects your furnace (and central air conditioner) to the outside, making the distribution of conditioned air possible. This ventilation system is what’s known as your ductwork, or air ducts, and is usually hidden out of sight behind walls, beneath floors, or in your attic and crawlspace.
Do You Need Duct Repair?
Unfortunately, if your ventilation system was installed improperly or if it’s aging significantly, there’s a good chance that it’s accumulated damage that has left you in need of duct repair services in Oklahoma City. If your ductwork is impacted by leaks, poor connections, or even improper construction, you can be experiencing problems that lead to poor HVAC efficiency, not to mention a decline in comfort.
Was Your Ductwork Properly Sized For Your Home?
Improperly sized ductwork is one of the biggest problems that homeowners face if they don’t hire a professional for their duct installation. And unfortunately, if your air ducts aren’t sized right, it will cause problems right from the start by way of restriction or blockage of airflow. This makes significant noise, but many homeowners pass it off as just a normal part of HVAC operation—it’s not! Your ducts will make some noise as the temperatures within them fluctuate, but it shouldn’t be so loud that it’s noticeable.
If air ducts are too large for the heating or cooling system they’re connected to, it will create reduced airflow, resulting in uneven temperatures throughout your home, because conditioned air won’t be reaching all of your vents. Studies show that improper ductwork design and/or installation can lead to as much as 60% loss in heating (or cooling) efficiency.
Not only is this a strain on your HVAC system, but it’s not great news for your wallet either. Your heater or AC will struggle to reach the temperatures set for it, and as a result, those systems will start degrading and aging rapidly. This means more repairs to components like motors, fan belts, and compressors. Plus, you may find yourself facing a premature replacement for your HVAC system and the subsequent costs of doing so.
Other Ventilation Problems
Whether your ductwork wasn’t properly sized or it has bad connections, if they were poorly installed they can experience air leaks. You’ll notice a reduction in heating (or cooling) power from your HVAC system as a result.
Another issue that can impact any aging ductwork, no matter how well or poorly it’s installed, is if it’s placed in an attic with no real protection from the heat of the sun during the summer. We know we’re in the heating season now, but if pinhole leaks start occurring in your air ducts because of too much sun exposure, then it will impact you all year long.
If pinhole leaks exist in your air ducts, you’ll need them professionally sealed (no, “duct” tape is not aptly named and therefore should not be used on your HVAC systems’ ductwork) and adequate insulation and protection should be added to the ventilation system so this doesn’t continue to happen.
