Faulty Ductwork: Know These 3 Signs

Investing in a quality furnace and having it installed by and regularly maintained by experts can really stack the odds in your favor when it comes to keeping your heating system performing well and reliably.

Unfortunately, it can’t guarantee that you won’t have heating problems.

Part of the reason this fact is sadly true is that forced-air heating systems involve a complex interaction of several components beyond the furnace itself.

Your ductwork, for instance.

If you have a furnace, you also have ductwork that distributes the air it heats throughout your living space. If that ductwork is in poor working order, your whole heating system suffers.

Know what poor ductwork looks like

Some signs of problem ductwork include:

• Uneven heating – Hot and cold spots in your home could have many causes, including having an undersized HVAC system. But if uneven heating seems to be a new problem, leaky ductwork may be to blame. Leaky ducts allow as much as 15 percent of the hot air your furnace produces heat to escape into the unconditioned spaces in your home before it reaches your living space. The result? A cold, uncomfortable room or hallway.
• A spike in your heating bills – Utility costs can and do go up, but you shouldn’t see a big jump In heating costs from one season to another if you’re using your equipment the same way you always have. If you see a spike in your heating bills, duct leaks could be to blame.
• Excessive dust and poor indoor air quality – Small holes or cracks in your ductwork can draw in allergen-carrying dust from your building envelope; once that dust collects in your ducts, it can easily find itself into your home. If you’ve noticed an uptick in dust in your home, or more allergy symptoms when you spend time indoors, your ductwork could be to blame.

Noticing any of these problems in your home? It could be time to call in a heating pro to see if faulty ductwork or some other cause is to blame. Contact us today to learn more about our expert heating system repairs and Home Comfort plans from Hocon that will keep your heating system – and your family – healthy all winter long.