How can the air ducts in your home become a money drain in the winter? You may find the idea odd, and that’s because you probably don’t think much about your ductwork at all. This is true of most homeowners. The ducts remain out of sight and therefore out of mind.
But when those hidden ducts have air leaks from holes, gaps, and breaches, they will create a costly dilemma for your heating during the winter, and they can cause other problems as well. Below we’ll explain more.
“The Thief in the Attic and Between the Walls”
No, not the title of a horror movie. It’s a way of saying that leaky air ducts will steal money from you. When ducts have air leaks, up to 30% of the air moving through them will escape, ending up in places like the attic and between the walls. This essentially means you’re paying money to heat those spots. Do you want to spend extra money to heat your attic? Of course not, but with leaky ducts that’s what will happen, and you’ll see this reflected in your energy bills. Your HVAC system will have to run longer to make up for the lost heat.
The problem isn’t restricted to winter either. You’ll waste cooled air from your AC during the summer.
The overtaxed HVAC system
Another way leaky air ducts can cost you money is that they place a greater strain on the HVAC system. The blower fan and the heater will need to stay on longer to reach your desired indoor temperature because of all the heat it keeps losing. The HVAC system will accumulate extra wear and age faster, leading to more repairs and possibly an early end to its service life.
The other problems of leaky air ducts
Along with the money you’ll lose to damaged air ducts, you’ll also face troubles with comfort and indoor air quality. When air escapes from the ductwork, the air pressure in the whole ventilation system will drop as well, and this will cause indoor comfort levels to decline. Airflow from the vents will weaken and rooms will start to develop cold spots. If you notice uneven heating in your home, it’s one of the biggest warnings that you need to have the ducts tested and repaired.
While the air leaks allow heated air to escape, they will also let in the air surrounding the ducts to get in. This air is often dusty and moldy, and it will end up entering your home. Damaged air ducts will also throw off indoor humidity balance.
Your Home Comfort Hero has the solutions!
All it takes is proper air duct repair in Ellensburg, WA to solve the expenses of having damaged ductwork. We can test your ducts to determine the extent and location of the problem, and then we’ll use professional duct sealing methods to make the ventilation system airtight once more. When we’re done, you’ll have an HVAC system ready to work efficiently and effectively again.
Call ThermAll Heating & Cooling, Inc: We are “Your Home Comfort Hero!”