Unless the ductwork in your home is newly installed by a trusted HVAC company or has been inspected recently, you might be losing energy through your duct system. Ductwork is one of those quiet and largely unseen aspects of our homes that we tend to pay little attention to until the problems they’re causing get big enough to affect our comfort, health and energy bills.
What Can Go Wrong with Ductwork?
You can think of your ductwork as the lungs of your house―as vitally important to your home’s overall energy performance as lungs are to the overall health of a body. As long as the air passing through them is healthy, all is well. But like lungs, if ducts become clogged, filled with moisture and contaminants or develop leaks, you’ve got yourself a problem.
- Poor Design or Installation
Some ductwork is poorly designed and installed from the start, and can cause issues with discomfort and high energy bills right away. - Undesirable Location
Ductwork that is uninsulated or unsealed and is located in an uncondtioned space, such as a basement, crawl space or attic can gather moisture and create opportunities for condensation. Build up of moisture can causes mold and mildew, which are hazardous to your health, to be carried throughout your ductwork to every part of your home. - Duct Leaks
When ductwork leaks, it wastes the conditioned air, heated or cooled, that your HVAC system is working to create. This makes your HVAC system work harder (with little success), use more fuel and run constantly, while you still have rooms that won’t heat or cool down the way you want them to. - Buildup in Ductwork
Over time, dust, dirt, and other contaminants can find their way into your ductwork. Not only does this interfere with your ductwork’s efficiency, but everything that collects in your ducts has the potential to be circulated throughout your home.
How to Make It Right
- Schedule an energy audit
At Greiner Heating, Air, and Electric, we take a whole-house approach to comfort. Rather than starting directly on your ductwork, we recommend an energy audit to ensure you’re aware of every instance, including ductwork, where your home is losing energy and costing you money. - Air Seal Cracks and Holes
To prevent condensation and contaminants from adversely affecting your ventilation and to allow your insulation to do its job, we’ll properly air seal the cracks and leaks throughout your home. - Repair or Replace Inefficient Ductwork
Last, Greiner Heating, Air, and Electric‘s experienced technicians will clean, repair or replace and fully insulate your ductwork.
When your home is breathing easy, you’ll breathe easier, too, with healthier indoor air quality, lower utility bills and improved home comfort all year long.
Improve your ductwork for improved home energy performance. Contact us to schedule your appointment today.
