Your HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system is the source of your indoor comfort, but it needs a little help sometimes to make sure you get through the winter comfortably. After years of use, it’s also common for these types of systems to need upgrades to the ductwork or other various materials. When your HVAC ductwork is in need of an upgrade, there are some signs that will let you know. Here are eight signs that your HVAC ductwork needs to be overhauled:
Your Home Is Too Cold
When you turn on your HVAC system, and it seems like nothing’s happening, chances are pretty good that ice-cold air is coming from the vents instead of warm air. If this has been going on for more than a day or so during extreme temperatures outside, then you probably have frozen ducts. You should call a professional for maintenance as soon as possible to prevent any further damages.
You’ve Noticed Ducts are Attached to the Outside of Your Home
Outdoor HVAC systems are complicated pieces of machinery, and they require a lot of thought when it comes to installation. If you notice that your ductwork is attached at some point outside of your home, then there may be an issue with leaks in the ductwork system. The heat will cause warm air to escape out the leaky parts, and this can affect your indoor comfort.
The Coils on Your Furnace Are Dirty or Rusty
The coil is an important part of your HVAC system because it’s responsible for cooling down or heating up the air coming into your house before sending it through the ducts and out the vents. If you notice that the coils are rusty or full of dust, it may be time to schedule an appointment for HVAC ductwork replacement because the filter isn’t doing its job correctly.
There’s a Strong Smell in One Particular Area of Your Home
If you haven’t noticed any changes in your indoor comfort and suddenly there’s a strong smell when you walk into one part of your home, then there might be something wrong with the ducts. Ductwork is responsible for carrying air throughout your entire home, and it’s easy for things to get clogged up or broken down in certain areas over time. This will lead to odors because the air isn’t able to flow freely through your home, and the smell may begin to stick around and get worse over time.
You Can See Dirt in Your Vents or Near Your Furnace
If you look closely in the vents where your HVAC system is installed, there’s probably some dust and dirt collecting in there. This is normal for most people, but when the dust begins to build up, it means that you need to schedule an appointment for ductwork replacement services because they’re not doing their job anymore. When you take a closer look at the area near your furnace where your ducts are attached, there might be areas of rusting or chipping paint on the exterior walls. If this happens, then it likely means that problems have started to develop inside the ducts themselves.
There’s Too Much Dust on Your Furnace Filter
The filter in your HVAC system is important because it helps with the airflow throughout your entire house. If you notice that there’s too much dust on this filter, then it means that it’s not able to keep up with its job, and you’re going to need ductwork replacement services soon.
You Have Unusual (and Unexplained) Temperature Changes at Different Parts of Your Home
If you’ve noticed that there are changes in temperature around your home when your HVAC system is running, then you might have a problem with the ductwork. When there are problems with the ductwork itself, hot air will escape out of some parts of your home and it will cause the temperature to drop where the system isn’t working properly.
Ducts are Rusty or Full of Dirt Around Your HVAC System
When you take a look at where your HVAC system is installed, pay close attention to the areas around the exterior walls because that’s typically where there are issues with rusting or chipping paint. If there are signs of dirt building up in ductwork near your furnace, then this is also a sign that you need to schedule an appointment for duct replacement services soon.
An HVAC works by using a refrigerant that absorbs heat into itself as it passes through evaporator coils inside your home. These coils are cold enough to make warm air condenses and turn into water. The water is carried throughout the HVAC system, and it collects in a pan at the bottom of your furnace, where it re-enters the refrigeration cycle. This is how hot air that’s inside your home gets cooled down on its way back outside through condenser coils, and this is how your entire HVAC system works to regulate indoor comfort levels in your home.
If you suspect there may be problems with your ductwork, then replacing all of them or getting them cleaned by an expert can make sure that everything starts working properly again. If you ever notice any of these signs of trouble with your ducts, make sure to get in touch with a professional like Austin AC for help right away because something small might turn into a much bigger problem if it’s not fixed.
To help with airflow throughout your home, make sure you schedule regular maintenance appointments to get your HVAC system cleaned and repaired if necessary. In order for your ducts to work properly, they need to be well-maintained, and this will keep indoor air quality high in every room of the house. For more information about what you can do to maintain a clean HVAC system, contact our team of experts for help.