Your ductwork is the circulatory system of your Frisco area home. Homes with defective, old ductwork are susceptible to a myriad of undesirable consequences, including poor HVAC system efficiency, increased energy bills, unhealthy indoor air quality and inconsistent indoor heating and cooling temperatures.

Unfortunately, because much of your major segmented ducts are often hidden within wall and attic spaces, old ductwork may go unnoticed for too long. Here are some easy ways to determine whether your home’s ductwork is costing you:

• Determine the age of air ducts – Home ductwork that was installed during original construction was often constructed and designed by building contractors, not HVAC-specific professionals. This means that much of your home’s original ductwork may be poorly constructed out of the cheapest materials and with inefficient ductwork design. Even when properly installed, the seals, joints and seams in your original ductwork may begin deteriorating a few years after construction.
• Inspect exposed ductwork – Visually check the duct segments where they’re visible in your home’s attic and crawl spaces. Streaks of dust radiating from any duct seams is an easy indicator of air leaks and should be properly sealed. If old ductwork is showing signs of rust or corrosion, it may be time to replace these worn out segments.
• Check for airflow – Go throughout your home and determine how well the airflow is in each room. Areas that have a lower volume of regular airflow may be attached to old ductwork that has collapsed or become disconnected from the main segment or air handler. Other causes of temperature variations through your home may be caused by ductwork leaks or thermal losses due to inadequate or deteriorated insulation.
• The blower door test – This is considered the definitive test for determining the location and amount of air leaks occurring within your home’s aging ductwork and thermal envelope. Contact a your local HVAC technician to schedule this test as part of a home energy audit.

For further help determining whether your aging ductwork needs replacing, contact Bill Joplin’s Air Conditioning & Heating. We proudly serve homeowners in and around the McKinney area.