Air Ducts and Your Home's HVAC System

Do you have a forced air heater or central AC? These HVAC systems require a labyrinth of ductwork that snakes through the walls and ceilings of your home. Even though you can't always see the ducts, they still need your attention. Whether this is your first home or you just want to learn more about your HVAC system, take a look at everything you need to know about air ducts.

What Are HVAC Air Ducts?

Before you learn more about ducts, understand how forced air heat and central air conditioning work. These HVAC systems have a central unit (an air conditioner also has an exterior condenser that is outside of your home), ducts, and vents. 

Think of air ducts as tubes that carry heat and cold around your home and into the interior spaces. Without air ducts, your central HVAC system couldn't keep your home warm or cool. Ducts are either flexible or rigid. Flexible ducts are tubes that can bend easily. These ducts are ideal for homes that have small wall spaces or setups that require the ducts to bend and curve.

As the name implies, rigid ducts are made from a rigid or hard material. The rectangle or circle-shaped ducts are commonly sheet metal.

Do All HVAC Systems Require Air Ducts?

No. Again, if your home has forced air heating or a central air conditioning system, you will need ducts to carry the warm or cool air around your home. But if you have a mini-split heat pump or air conditioner, you won't. This type of system uses indoor air handlers and an outdoor condenser. These systems are also known as ductless heaters and air conditioners. 

Who Can Repair, Replace, or Care for Air Ducts?

Duct repairs and maintenance aren't do-it-yourself jobs. Failure to correctly install, fix, or clean ducts can result in air leaks, damage to the system, or other issues that impact the interior comfort level and energy efficiency. 

A licensed HVAC contractor can inspect, service, repair, or replace air ducts. Before you select a company to work on your home's air ducts, ask for references or find referrals from friends and family members who you trust. The contractor should have extensive knowledge and experience working on duct systems. If the technicians primarily service mini-split systems, continue your search until you find a professional who understands air ducts.

What Type of Maintenance Do Air Ducts Need? 

Your home has forced air and central heating and cooling. Can you leave your ducts as is or do you need to care for this HVAC component? 

Air ducts don't require a high degree of maintenance. But you do need to periodically make sure they're clean and damage-free. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), air ducts that don't have visible mold growth or large dust deposits won't require special cleaning or care. If the ducts are noticeably clogged with debris, are moldy, aggravate your allergies, or cause respiratory issues, you need to contact an HVAC professional.

Along with cleaning, you also need to make sure that your ducts don't leak. Damage or wear and tear can cause breaks, holes, or gaps in the ductwork. This allows heated or cooled air to slowly leak out of the ducts. This can cause heating and cooling losses that reduce your system's energy efficiency. The more air that doesn't get from the central unit to the interior spaces of your home, the greater the force the system needs to maintain a consistent temperature.

If your ducts are old or damaged or have loose joints, call an HVAC contractor to inspect the system. They may need to replace sections of the air ducts, seal leaks, or insulate the ductwork. 

Do you need a professional air duct heating or cooling service? Contact Haining Home Services for more information.