When was the last time you thought about your ductwork? Homeowners usually try to keep their vents open and listen for any weird noises coming from the HVAC system, but ductwork is important to! These passageways channel warmed or cooled air throughout your house, and give air a passage back to your units for temperature adjustment. That makes them one of the busiest components in your HVAC system!

While ductwork can last for many years while doing its job just fine, it does require maintenance to stay efficient and avoid problems. When ductwork is ignored, some serious problems can develop: Here are some of the things we've seen when ductwork isn't properly maintained over a period of time.

Dust Creates Problems

Dust and particular don't just pass through your ductwork – they can also settle on the walls of your ducts and stay there. That can create a number of different problems: Dirty ductwork can interfere with airflow, and keep spreading allergens throughout your home even with a working filter in place. Not only is this worse for your health, but it may mean that your HVAC system has to work harder to clean and move air, which leads to problems with efficiency. 

Leaks Can Create Long-Term Costs

Leaks develop when ductwork cracks or when gaps are left during the installation process. This allows air to escape – which is not good! That air is supposed to be circulating around your home. If it's getting lost through a duct leak instead, then your HVAC will have to work much harder to heat and cool your home, which decreases efficiency and leads to more repairs need...plus, you have to wait a lot longer for your HVAC system to reach the right temperature.

Mold Can Develop

Moisture can also be a problem in ductwork, especially in the case of leaks or particularly humid air. You really don't want moisture in your ducts: In addition to other problems, it can help create mold and mildew hidden in your ductwork, where it can easily spread to other areas in your home and cause widespread problems. Ductwork can be cleaned, sealed, and sprayed with antifungal agents to help prevent this.

Pests Can Get Inside

Pests can also find ductwork an attractive spot to stay – if they can find a way in. If rodents or other pests build nests in the ducts, this interferes with airflow and causes plenty of other problems. Duct maintenance ensures that there's no sign of pests and that there's no easy way for them to get inside ducts, either.

So, what can you do about duct issues like these? Call Guaranteed Heating & Cooling and arrange for an inspection! We can go over your ducts, how they function, and if there are any issues that are preventing them from working correctly or creating long-term issues for your homes. You don't need to constantly watch your ducts, but it does pay to pay attention. If you already suspect you have a duct issue, be sure to let us know what problems you've noticed to help with our inspection and creating an estimate for cleaning or repairs!