If the ducts are poorly connected or have several holes, air pressure is lost. This makes your air conditioning system work harder, increasing your energy bill. The ducts are designed to last between 10 and 15 years on average. In most homes, ductwork lasts 10 to 15 years before problems arise.
If your ducts are older than 15 years old, have them replaced before major problems occur, such as pests, voids, or even collapsed sections of the ducts. That way, you can avoid drafts or congested areas and ensure that all parts of your home are comfortable. Even if your air conditioning system works well, if the ducts are not maintained, the result may be poor air quality and lower efficiency. An essential part of routine maintenance of your HVAC system includes making sure that ductwork are clean and undamaged.
Then, when your ductwork isn't properly maintained, you could end up needing repair and replacement of the ductwork. While the EPA says that cleaning ducts is sufficient for mild episodes of mold, severe outgrowths often need to be replaced, especially if the ducts have rusted. Whether it's repairing existing ductwork or completely replacing ductwork, Veterans AC & Heat is here to ensure that your heating and air conditioning systems keep you comfortable for years to come. If your current air conditioning system is becoming obsolete or no longer working, local companies such as Fox Family Heating and Air are likely to offer you estimates for a new system.
For example, old ducts may be too small to work efficiently with new air conditioning systems due to increased airflow. Therefore, making too many turns or turns and even not following installation best practices can reduce the efficiency of air movement in ducts. Of course, don't replace it until you've removed the original mold, or it'll just reappear. There are a number of factors that determine whether you can clean an air duct or if you'll need to hire a local air conditioning repair professional.
In some older homes, ducts come out of the HVAC air conditioner and resemble the arms of an octopus, and each branch is bent and twisted around each other. The manual J calculation helps determine the amount of heat loss or gain in each room and the amount of air conditioning needed. And even small leaks can have a significant impact on the efficiency of the air conditioning system, as they waste up to 30 percent of the air that passes through the system. Some of the most common signs that you need to replace your ducts are old ducts, high utility bills, and poor indoor air quality.
Your local HVAC installation professional will have specific answers about duct replacement, but here are some scenarios where that might be your best option. But how can you determine the best way to proceed? Here's everything you need to know about when to clean an air duct, when to replace it, and when to dispose of it and start over. If a faulty air seal is to blame for dirty ducts, clean them and hire a professional to re-seal the air conditioning system. There are times when simple cleaning is not enough, since the problem lies in the internal mechanisms of the air duct or somewhere else.
of the air conditioning system.