{"id":1024,"date":"2024-10-21T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-10-21T18:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.picturerockscooling.com\/blog\/?p=1024"},"modified":"2024-10-21T16:22:48","modified_gmt":"2024-10-21T23:22:48","slug":"signs-of-an-hvac-duct-leak","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.picturerockscooling.com\/blog\/hvac\/signs-of-an-hvac-duct-leak\/","title":{"rendered":"Signs of an HVAC Duct Leak"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"HVAC-technician-working-on-ducts\"<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

One of the things homeowners rarely think about is their ductwork. It\u2019s out of sight and, all too often, out of mind. But it has a bigger impact than you might realize! If you haven\u2019t been paying attention to your ducts, it\u2019s always a good idea to have them professionally inspected to see what\u2019s going on in there. And sometimes, there are signs you can spot which indicate that there\u2019s definitely a problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HVAC duct leaks are all too common, caused by anything from nibbling rodents to stray home improvement nails and screws to simple deterioration with age. What happens if your ducts are leaking? And what are the signs of an HVAC duct leak? We\u2019ll explain everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Loss of Heated and Cooled Air<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It might seem wildly unreasonable, but it\u2019s estimated that in the average American home, the ducts are so leaky that 30% of heated and cooled air is lost. It simply escapes, ending up in places where you don\u2019t need climate control, like between your walls, or in your attic. This means most people are paying a great deal more than they should for their AC and heat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other Consequences of Duct Leaks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In addition to that cost, duct leaks impact your air quality. Air doesn\u2019t just flow out of the ducts; thanks to the air pressure in the system, it can suck air into the ducts through gaps and holes. And that air has been in dirty places full of sawdust, spider webs, rodent droppings, insulation fibers and more. You don\u2019t want that coming out of your vents with your heat and AC!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furthermore, it puts additional strain on your heating system and air conditioner. Problems with air pressure, particles and fibers being pulled in, and loss of heated and cooled air leading to excessive use of the systems all increase your likelihood of needing repairs. What\u2019s more, they decrease the lifespan of your systems, forcing you to replace your heater or AC unit sooner than you should have to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Signs of Leaky Ductwork<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In general, you should have your ducts checked out by an HVAC professional every few years. But there are some signs to keep watch for which would indicate that you\u2019ve got leaks that should be sealed promptly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n