The Most Common Air Duct Problems for Homeowners

By: Brian Schutt  |  June 20, 2024

Air ducts work in the background to keep your home heated and cooled properly and to maintain good indoor air quality. When your HVAC system and ductwork are functioning properly, air flows smoothly. When they are not, you may know it by some common signs:

• Rising energy bills

• Rooms that are difficult to heat and cool

• Weird noises, such as banging, popping, wheezing and whistling, coming from your HVAC system

If you experience any of those situations, your ductwork may likely be experiencing one of these five common air duct problems for homeowners:

How to Reduce the Hidden Pollutants Inside Your Home

Restricted Air Flow

Consistent air flow is essential to proper HVAC performance. When airflow in your ductwork is restricted, your HVAC system has to work even harder to do its job, causing it to work efficiently. This can increase your energy bills, increase chances of breakdowns and shorten the lifespan of your unit.

Air Leakage

It’s nearly impossible to see leaks in your ductwork. Air leakage occurs if the ductwork isn’t properly sealed, has become detached, or isn’t correctly aligned. It is so important that your air ducts are sealed correctly at the registers and grills in order to prevent energy loss and air leakage. Your home may be experiencing air leakage if you notice an uneven room temperature, stifling rooms or unusually high energy bills.

Poor Air Duct Design

Your ductwork is mostly out of sight in your home, which means most homeowners are unaware of how their air ducts are laid out. However, if you’re experiencing air flow problems, consider taking a closer look at your ductwork. Check your attic and garage to see if you can find any apparent issues with your ductwork right off the bat. Look for duct tape or any other type of DIY projects that previous owners may have used to repair an issue themselves. If you don’t seem to find anything, call an HVAC professional who will be able to better inspect your ductwork and identify any areas of poor design.

Improper Insulation

Air can escape through ducts that aren’t installed or insulated properly. This allows for loss of heated air in the winter and cool air in the summer, which makes your entire HVAC system work less efficiently. You will need to call your HVAC professional to check out your ductwork insulation and determine whether or not it needs to be replaced.

Dirty Air Ducts

Clogged or dirty ductwork is the result of dust, dirt and pollution that has accumulated over the years in your air ducts. Sometimes, this can restrict air flow through your ductwork and cause major problems. If your air ducts aren’t properly sealed, then other foreign matter — such as dust, pollen, bugs, cobwebs and even mold — can be sucked inside your ductwork; thus defeating the purpose of your air filters. This will cause poor indoor air quality throughout your home and can even be detrimental to the health of you and your family. We strongly recommend scheduling a professional air duct cleaning on a regular basis with an HVAC professional.

Here’s how you can tell if you’re in need of a professional duct cleaning. If you’re still unsure, give us a call and we can schedule an Air Advice Indoor Air Analysis, where we can show you real-time information about the pollutants in your home air, including VOCs. The test lasts 30-60 minutes, and can be setup with our office by calling (317) 203-8149. We hope to hear from you soon!

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