Many homeowners do not think much of their ducts, hidden away in crawl spaces and channeling air. However, old or broken vents can present serious HVAC problems. Here’s how ducts can create heating and cooling difficulties – along with what to watch for and how to deal with duct repair in the High Desert.
Ducts and Dust
Even though you may not have thought about it before, the connection between ductwork and dust is fairly obvious. All the air in your house eventually passes through your ducts as it is heated or cooled, and that means that it drags along a lot of the dust that can linger in your carpets or furniture – or simply float through the air. That dust is made of dead skin cells, pet dander, High Desert pollen, and much more. Over time, all those particles can stick to the sides of your ductwork, eventually turning into thicker and thicker deposits over time.
These deposits are dangerous for a couple different reasons. First, they can impede airflow and make your system work harder. Second, they can increase the number of allergens and other unpleasant particles in your home. Third, they can encourage the growth of mildew and mold, and help spread spores every time you use your system, which can lead to major clean up costs down the road. You can do a cursory check of dust levels by shining a flashlight into your ducts and taking a look around.
Cleaning Options
Another issue with air ducts is that, no matter their shape and size, they are usually very difficult to clean. Even the longest handles cannot do much good, especially with the twists and turns that ductwork tends to take. The best solution, although it requires some investment, is a professional duct cleaning company that has equipment designed to fully clean out your ducts. These companies also use chemicals that can help prevent mildew problems.
Duct Repair and Patching
While you are looking over your ducts with a flashlight, you may want to have someone else take a peek into the crawlspace and look for any cracks of light – those cracks in your ductwork cost you money as air escapes. However, most leaks can be easily patched by the professional technicians at Elite Climate Control to create a sealed passageway once again.
