by Cooper Climate Control
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If your HVAC equipment is fairly new, but your utility bills haven’t decreased at the rate you were hoping for, your ductwork might be the problem. Ductwork is often neglected because it isn’t visible on a daily basis. However, aging ductwork, or a duct system that has been poorly designed or maintained, can drain a noticeable amount of energy.
Here are tips to determine whether aging ductwork is diminishing the energy efficiency of your Valley-Metro home.
You know the ducts are old. If you have lived in the same home for many years, or have recently moved into an older home, it’s worth it to have an HVAC technician inspect the ductwork. In addition to maintenance issues which will be discussed later, duct systems used to be designed for cost efficiency rather than energy efficiency. It is often worth the investment to have your HVAC contractor redesign your duct system and install new ducts. The cost will be repaid in terms of energy efficiency within a matter of years.
There are obvious signs of aging. Over time, duct materials, mastic tape and caulk will begin to corrode. This can cause leaks, joint separations and other issues that will compromise duct efficiency. Take a peek in your attic and crawl spaces to see if there are any obvious signs of corrosion, leaks or collapsed duct sections. If you see streaks of dust emanating from the joints, this is a sure sign of leakage. Any of these symptoms mean your ducts should be repaired or replaced immediately.
Inconsistent airflow. Does it seem like the air is flowing at different rates from room to room? This can be a sign of collapsed ducts, leaks, or airflow obstructions that need to be addressed.
They fail the duct blower test. If you suspect aging ductwork is an issue, you can schedule a duct blower test. An HVAC technician will perform the test to determine the amount of air that is leaking out of the system.
Contact Cooper Climate Control. We’ll let you know if aging ductwork is compromising the energy efficiency of your Valley-Metro area home.
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