The average American spends 90% of their time indoors. Between office work, commuting time, and household chores, it’s no wonder why we spend so much time inside.
In hot and cold weather, we rely on HVAC systems to keep our indoor time as temperate as possible. If it suddenly feels uncomfortable, you might blame the thermostat or the outdoor condenser unit.
But, the ductwork is actually what makes all the difference.
Keep reading to find out why ductwork is so important and when to call residential & commercial HVAC contractors for help.
What is Home Ductwork?
Ducts are a network of tubes or passages that circulate air throughout your home. It sends conditioned air from your furnace or air conditioner to each room in your house.
Ducts are commonly made from sheet metal, PVC, plastic, or polyester.
Provides Equal Heating and Cooling to All Rooms
The ductwork sends conditioned air (hot or cold) to each room in your home. The ducts are designed to maintain the same air temperature throughout your home. That’s why you might have one vent in a small room and three or four in a very large room because each room has different needs.
But, if the duct system isn’t working properly, you might have hot and cold spots. If there’s a connection issue in your ducts, a room that’s farthest from the furnace might feel colder than the rest of the house.
If you notice uneven temperatures throughout your home, you should call an HVAC technician. You could have a seam leak in your ductwork or you could have a disconnected vent.
Ductwork Controls Indoor Air Quality
All of the air that circulates in your home travels through the ducts. That means the ductwork itself has an enormous effect on the air quality in your home.
If your ducts aren’t properly insulated or sealed, air from the attic or crawlspace could leak into the system. You might notice a distinct attic smell or musty basement smell in certain rooms of your home.
Ductwork can also be susceptible to mold, especially if your HVAC system isn’t removing enough humidity. Moisture can build up inside the ducts and lead to mold growth, which threatens your air quality. Plus, that moldy smell can circulate through your entire home.
Give your HVAC contractor a call if you notice any unusual smells, if you develop indoor allergies, or your symptoms get worse.
Keeps HVAC System Running Efficiently
The ductwork system has a major impact on the efficiency of your HVAC unit. If the ductwork isn’t properly sealed, air can leak through the seams.
In fact, you can lose 20 to 30% of your home’s conditioned air through holes, gaps, or connection issues in your ductwork. When your HVAC system loses air like this, it will have to work much harder to heat and cool your home. Plus, you’ll essentially be heating and cooling the inside of your walls and your attic for no reason.
If your utility bills keep going up, contact your HVAC contractor to check your ductwork for leaks.
Ductwork Problems? Hire Residential & Commercial HVAC Contractors Today
Problems with your ductwork can lead to high utility bills, uneven temperatures throughout your home, and air quality issues.
At Bentley’s Air Conditioning, our residential & commercial HVAC contractors can solve these duct problems for you. Contact us today to set up a service call.