Your ducts are the unsung heroes of your home’s heating and air conditioning systems. They are what make it possible for the system to circulate air throughout the house, maintaining a comfortable temperature and keeping your air fresh. Despite the crucial nature of ductwork in forced air systems, however, they are often neglected by homeowners. Their unobtrusive, and often silent, natures foster notions that they don’t need maintenance. This is a terrible shame and one that we’d like to remedy. Let’s examine why you should make sure the ductwork in your home is in good condition.
Contaminants
All ductwork is vulnerable to certain airborne contaminants. Dust, for example, has a tendency to build up in ducts and on your forced air system itself over time. There isn’t really a way to wholly prevent this, but the real issue is all the other pollutants that can infest the ductwork if left unchecked. Bacteria, viruses, pollen, insect dander, and even mold can all make their homes in your ducts if you don’t look after them. These contaminants can cause allergy attacks, illness, and generally decrease the air quality in your home. Having your ducts cleaned every one or two years can drastically decrease the population of these contaminants.
Energy Efficiency
The US Department of Energy estimates that forced air systems lose as much as 30% of their heat on average to leaks in the home’s ductwork. That’s almost a third of your heater’s heat that is being wasted before it gets to its destination. This translates to a great deal of money spent each month on heating that you aren’t benefitting from. Leaks in the ducts are often quite small, but when there’s enough of them the damage can add up quickly. Due to the nature of the ductwork, you likely won’t be able to identify the leaks yourself through visual inspection. The best thing to do is have a professional conduct duct sealing on your ductwork. This takes care of any leaks that may be costing you money.
If you haven’t thought about duct cleaning or sealing in a while, call Intelligent Air Services. We provide heating repair services in Manor, TX and throughout the Austin metro area.