Your Beckley, WV home likely has ductwork that is part of your overall HVAC system. This ductwork delivers conditioned air to the various rooms of your home so that you’re comfortable all year long. Unfortunately, some issues can exist with ductwork, causing several problems. Let’s look at the importance of ductwork, including why professional installation is a must.
The Basics of Ductwork
Your HVAC system winds through your entire home, with your thermostat, furnace, air conditioning unit, and ductwork all working together to provide comfortable and healthy air. Return air ducts are responsible for taking air in and moving it to your furnace, where it will be heated or cooled. Your home likely has just a few of these return ducts. You also have supply ducts, which are more plentiful. They allow conditioned air to enter bedrooms, bathrooms, and living spaces.
Why a Home With Central HVAC Needs Ductwork
If you don’t have enough ductwork, your ductwork is damaged, or your ductwork wasn’t properly installed, this can disrupt the normal flow of conditioned air circulating throughout your home. Not only can your home feel uncomfortably hot in the summer and incredibly cold in the winter, but you may experience unhealthy indoor air quality because of improper ductwork.
Proper ductwork can also protect the integrity of your HVAC system. Ample airflow throughout your HVAC system can reduce the need for frequent repairs that would be caused by overworking your furnace or air conditioner. This can also lengthen the lifespan of your equipment, which saves you money in the long run.
Luckily, our team can inspect your ductwork and make changes if necessary. Sometimes simple repairs are only needed. There may be instances where new sections of ductwork will need to be installed to rectify the problems that you’re experiencing.
Addressing Comfort
Many homes in Beckley experience hot or cold spots that compromise the overall comfort of living spaces. This is common when you don’t have sufficient ductwork or there is damage to your existing ductwork system. For example, if you have cracks or gaps in your ductwork near a certain room, much of your conditioned air may escape your ducts before it has a chance to exit the supply vents. Not only will this compromise comfort, but it can also cause your heating and cooling equipment to run more frequently to keep your home at a consistent temperature.
Making Changes to Your Ductwork
Fixing improper ductwork doesn’t necessarily mean you have to take on a major construction project in your home. There may be subtle changes that can take place to make a big difference in your comfort level as well as how much you’re paying on your monthly utility bills. The plenum is a portion of your ductwork that connects your furnace to your main line of ducting. This is an important part of your HVAC system. If you’ve just had a new furnace installed, this portion of your ducts will likely be replaced. If your old plenum was left in place, it may be a good idea to have us inspect it to see why that was. Replacing old sections of ductwork trunk lines can be beneficial if they are very old or damaged.
We might also recommend installing more dampers on your ductwork. These dampers allow you to control the flow of air through your ductwork, so you experience comfortable and consistent air throughout your Beckley home. For example, you can decrease airflow in certain areas and open dampers in others to redirect conditioned air.
Signs You Need Professional Ductwork Service
While scheduling an inspection of your ductwork is a great way to find out if any improvements or changes need to be made, there are also some signs that you can watch out for that indicate an issue.
Higher Utility Bills
Have you noticed a recent spike in your utility bills but don’t know the cause? You could have damage that has occurred to your ductwork that is causing your heating and cooling equipment to run more frequently. Monitor your HVAC system to see if it seems like it’s running more often than normal.
Inconsistent Temperature
Do you experience hot or cold spots in your home? This may be a new occurrence, which would indicate recent ductwork damage, but this may just be attributed to ductwork that wasn’t installed properly when your system was first put in. If you have dampers, try adjusting them to see if that makes a difference. If not, professional service may be worth considering.
Dust Buildup
Have you noticed an excessive buildup of dust in or around your registers? This could mean that you have cracks in your ductwork allowing dust to enter and circulate throughout your system until it enters your home. This is not only a mess, but it compromises your indoor air quality. If you’re susceptible to allergy symptoms, this could exacerbate those.
Poor Humidity Control
Do you find that your home feels very humid or very dry? This may change depending on the time of year and what the weather is like. Your ductwork may allow moisture to enter your HVAC system. This is a major issue for comfort, but moisture in your ductwork can also lead to mold growth. Any exposure to mold for any length of time can be devastating to your health. You may experience symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, anxiety, inflammation, pain, and trouble sleeping. Mold remediation and ductwork repair would be necessary to rectify this situation.
Visible Damage
The easiest way to spot a ductwork problem is to look at your duct lines. Look for any separation at the different joints, cracks, rust, or dents. Our team can fix these issues. Minor damage can be repaired using special tape or sealant. We can also replace small sections of ductwork if necessary.
Odd Noises
When your furnace or air conditioner is running, listen for any odd noises like whistling or hissing. This can mean that air is escaping your ductwork. These noises can be a nuisance, but you’re also losing conditioned air where you probably don’t need it, like in your attic, basement, and behind walls. This will cause an increase in your utility bills and cause your heating and cooling equipment to become overworked. Furthermore, you will likely encounter the need for more frequent HVAC repairs and experience a shortened equipment lifespan.
If you need professional ductwork assistance in the Beckley area, reach out to our team here at Childers Air Plumbing & Electric. We would be happy to inspect your ductwork and determine if any issues need to be addressed. We also provide other services, such as the installation, repair, and maintenance of all heating and cooling equipment. Our electrical services include servicing generators, electrical panels, rewiring, and much more. You can also count on us for plumbing needs, from drain cleaning to leak detection as well as repair and installation.
Contact us at Childers Air Plumbing & Electric today to schedule an appointment for your home’s ductwork.
