Take Action if You Suspect Your Home’s Ductwork Is Defective

It’s time to begin considering your options if dirty ducts are contributing to dusty, unhealthy conditions in your home, or are so poorly designed or in such bad condition that a significant portion of the conditioned air is escaping before getting to the rooms in your house. Available options include doing nothing, contracting repairs from a respected Cincinnati HVAC contractor or doing them yourself, paying for duct cleaning, and/or having the ducts replaced. The latter alternative is an expensive but (fortunately) relatively rare last resort.

How Can You Detect Duct Problems?

If your cooling and heating bills are higher than what your neighbors are paying for a comparable home (your electric company may periodically provide this data), or have been rising in recent years, leaky and/or uninsulated ducts could be the culprit. You might be surprised to learn how much energy can escape through poorly connected or otherwise defective ductwork. Duct sections that pass through unconditioned areas also can waste energy, especially if it’s not insulated.

As is the case with leaky ducts, dirty ductwork also can contribute to your heating and cooling bills. Ducts that harbor excessive dust and other contaminants also may endanger the health of vulnerable members of your household when contaminants attach themselves to air as it circulates through the ductwork. When there’s negative pressure in ductwork, dirty air also may infiltrate leaky ducts that run through unconditioned areas such as the garage, attic, wall voids or crawlspace. Allergens and other irritants will then circulate throughout the home, threatening the health of family members, especially those with allergies or respiratory issues.

How can you tell ducts are dirty without a professional inspection? While a trained technician’s inspection is the best way, you also can look out for red flags that suggest your ducts have accumulated dust and dirt. They include visible mold on or near registers or ducts, dust bunnies near supply registers, and evidence of insects, mice and other vermin in ducts (nests, noise, scat, etc.). Allergies that appear to be worsening also may indicate dirty ducts.

What Should You Do About Dirty Ductwork?

Consider scheduling an inspection with a trusted, certified HVAC professional if you suspect the ducts are having issues, either because of damage, deterioration, poor design or installation, and/or accumulated dust and debris. An HVAC professional, using his/her own expertise and high-tech diagnostic tools, can determine whether a professional duct cleaning is necessary, and/or what repairs may be warranted, such as duct sealing and repair. You also might learn that your ductwork is in such bad shape, or has been so poorly designed, that it should be replaced. As with any expensive investment in your home, consider asking for a second opinion if you’re told duct replacement is necessary.

Also beware that some unscrupulous contractors recommend duct cleaning or replacement when it’s really not necessary. This is why it’s essential to only work with HVAC contractors whom you know you can trust. A local outfit with a long-standing record of positive service in the community is generally your best bet.