Caring for Your Ductwork

One of the more common things people ignore in their homes is their ductwork.  You see the ducts, but really aren’t sure what is going on inside.  There are a few ways these systems can cause problems.

Dirty or clogged

If your ductwork is dirty or clogged, the following can happen:

• Your heating and cooling system will have to work harder, causing wear and tear on the units, and shortening their life spans
  
• The fact that they have to work harder means higher utility bills
  
• Dust and particles will enter your home, producing unhealthy air quality, especially impacting people with asthma and related illnesses, the elderly and young children
  

You can identify whether your ductwork needs cleaning by doing the following:

• Remove a vent cover and check inside for dirt, debris or matted dust
  
• Examine the returns for dust buildup
  
• Check to see if the air filter is clogged with dust
  
• Examine the furnace blower fan and motor for dust
  
• Check to see if the air conditioning coil is dusty or has dust clinging to the housing walls
  

If your ductwork does need to be cleaned, make sure it includes:

• Cleaning the system from each register and return down the duct lines all the way to the main line, frequently located in the basement
  
• Cleaning the air handling side of the furnace to remove loose dirt and debris around the air conditioner coils, heat exchanger and blower compartment (note this may be done as part of your routine furnace and AC maintenance)
  
• Ideally applying an herbal disinfectant to kill bacteria, mold and fungus.  You can also install UV lights that use ultraviolet radiation to more permanently sterilize the air by destroying bacteria, mold and fungus
  

Leaks

The other thing that can happen with ducts is they can leak if they are not properly sealed or insulated, resulting in a 10% to 30% heating or cooling loss.  This also makes your unit work harder and results in higher utility bills.  Leaks can be due to the following:

• Supply leaks
  
• Fallen duct insulation
  
• Return leaks
  
• Leaks at the furnace and filter slot
  
• Duct tape failure
  
• Poorly sealed connections
  

Here is how to fix leaks:

• Turn on the HVAC fan and feel along the ducts for escaping air.
  
• Turn off the fan and apply metallic foil tape made specifically for repairing ducts (not regular duct tape) over the leak.
  
• Use a brush to apply duct mastic over the tape and joints.
  

If you are uncertain of what to do, call an HVAC contractor.

Obstructions

One final point not having to do with the ductwork itself is to make sure the vents and returns are not obstructed by furniture or other items.