Don’t let Leaky Ductwork Contaminate Indoor Air

The most common issue that arises from defective ductwork is energy loss, but another problem that arises from bad ducts, one that most people aren’t aware of – is an erosion in indoor air quality. There are four distinct ways that defective ducts can impair air quality:

1. Dirty air can infiltrate into loose or leaky ductwork. In many homes, some ductwork runs through areas that aren’t receiving conditioned air. This might include crawl spaces, the attic or basement or wall cavities.

Often these spaces collect dirty or contaminated air, and. If there’s a pressure difference between the interior of ducts and the air in those spaces (higher pressure outside than in), dirty air can get sucked into the ducts, then circulate through the home. Think about the threat to air quality if air that’s been exposed to a dead rodent, animal feces or mold finds its way into your home.

2. Negative air pressure can suck in dirty air. For a number of reasons, it’s important for the supply and return halves of your air circulation system to be balanced. One of them involves indoor air quality. If supply air is leaking from the system in unconditioned areas because of leaky or loose ductwork, that can create negative air pressure.

The pressure often will equalize by drawing dirty or unfiltered air inside from the exterior of the house, through gaps and cracks in the home’s outer envelope.

3. Backdrafting can happen. Backdrafting is the term used for situations when exhaust from a combustion furnace or water heater, for example, gets drawn into ductwork as a consequence of negative air pressure. That exhaust may contains hazardous gases such as carbon monoxide.

4. Defective ducts can compromise humidity control. Leaky ducts can suck in humid air from a damp crawlspace, garage or basement. During the cooling season, this just makes your air conditioner’s job more difficult. If it’s especially muggy outside, your AC is likely already struggling. Excessively humid indoor air is uncomfortable and can worsen indoor air quality.

What can You do About Leaky Air Ducts?

First you have to know that they’re leaking. That’s not especially difficult to determine when you can see the ductwork, especially if the problems are severe (a duct section that’s dropped away from the duct network). However, in most homes most of the ductwork is hidden.

That’s why hiring a professional duct specialist working with your trusted Cincinnati HVAC contractor to assess your home’s ducts, and then make any needed repairs or cleaning, is the best bet in a residential setting.

The professional will have the tools, gauges and know-how to determine how badly your ductwork is leaking, and then perform durable repairs that will last a long time. If the duct assessment reveals an accumulation of dirt and other debris inside the ducts, your professional probably can perform (or set you up with) a professional duct cleaning.

Clean ducts, which allow for a smooth flow of air, also improve energy efficiency and performance, as well as indoor air quality.

The technician, during duct maintenance, also can determine where ducts should be insulated, and do the work, ensuring that the right type of insulation is correctly installed.

Beware of the Potential Rip-Off

It’s important to be wary of unscrupulous contractors who will try to sell you an expensive duct cleaning when it’s not necessary, or even claim that ducts should be cleaned annually.

This is almost never the case. This just pounds home the lesson that above all else, make sure you can trust the HVAC company that’s working in your home.