The integrity of your Edmond, OK home’s HVAC system is incredibly important to your safety and comfort. The ductwork that’s part of this system helps to move conditioned air to the various living spaces in your house. If there are leaks in this system or closer to your furnace, they can compromise the efficiency, safety, and effectiveness of your HVAC system. Let’s look at how to detect HVAC air leaks and when to call in a professional from True Climate Heat + Air.
What Causes Air Leaks in Your HVAC System?
It’s common for air leaks to occur in a very old HVAC system because of typical wear and tear on the materials your ducts are made from. However, brand-new HVAC equipment isn’t immune to issues with leaks. Improper installation can lead to leaks as well as pest and rodent infestations. Holes, cracks, gaps, and separations can all cause leaks.
Signs That Indicate HVAC Air Leaks
Some signs of HVAC air leaks are very easy to spot, whereas others may take a little bit of investigative work.
An Increase in Energy Bills
If you look at your monthly energy bills from the past few months, you may notice that there has been a steady increase in what you’re paying compared to a year ago or longer. When conditioned air is being lost before it can make its way to your living spaces, this results in your HVAC system running more frequently. You’ll be using more energy to keep your home at a specific temperature. You can also compare your energy consumption to what you used this same time last year.
Hot or Cold Rooms
Every room in your house should have a consistent temperature. If you’re experiencing a lot of hot or cold spots, this may be caused by HVAC air leaks. There’s a lack of conditioned air in your rooms, and certain areas may be getting some of the leakage.
An Increase in Dust and Particulate Matter
Every home gets dusty and requires periodic cleanings, but have you noticed that your house seems dustier than normal lately? Any potential leaks that you have in your HVAC system are allowing particulate matter to circulate, such as dust, dust mites, pollen, pet dander, mold spores, and more. This can impact the comfort of your home as well as your indoor air quality.
An increase in particulate matter in your house and HVAC system can place additional wear and tear on your heating and cooling equipment. This can result in the need for repairs and more frequent maintenance.
Abnormal Noises During Operation
While your HVAC system is running, take a listen for anything that sounds odd or abnormal. This could be whistling, screeching, or hissing sounds that only happen when your furnace or air conditioner is running. These sounds are likely caused by air escaping through a gap or crack in your unit. The louder the noise is, the closer you’re getting to the leak.
Problems Controlling Humidity
The relative humidity level in your home should be anywhere between 35% and 50%. This promotes a comfortable indoor environment but will also protect the structure of your house. Humidity levels over 50% can set the stage for mold growth. If you’re exposed to mold spores, this can cause an increase in allergy symptoms, asthma, respiratory illness, fatigue, headaches, and much more.
Leaks in your ductwork allow moisture into your system, which should be sealed. Moisture can accumulate in your ducts or inside your furnace or air conditioner. You may experience mold growth inside the vents, too. This is a hard issue to tackle unless you seal up the leaks in your HVAC system.
If moisture issues persist, you may need a whole-house dehumidifier to bring the humidity down to a safer level. An upgraded smart thermostat with hygrometer function can help you monitor the relative humidity of your house both while you’re at home and away.
Visual Inspections
You can follow along your ductwork to see if you spot any visible signs of damage. There may be very small amounts of damage that are causing the issues, which will need to be diagnosed by our team of experienced professionals. We can use a camera scope in your ductwork to look for issues. We can also pressure test your HVAC system to see if there are leaks anywhere.
Fixing HVAC Air Leaks
There are several ways that air leaks in your HVAC system can be repaired. The extent of the damage will determine what methods we use. For example, a very small crack or gap can usually be sealed using a product like mastic tape or sealant. For very large issues or extensive damage, we may recommend that section of ductwork be replaced.
It’s very important that leaks are repaired properly. If they’re not, you can do more harm than good. You want to prevent moisture from accumulating in your ductwork. This can lead to mold growth and deterioration of your ducts. What was a small problem at first becomes a major issue that affects your indoor air quality and safety.
If you can’t fully access the damaged portion of your ductwork, it’s time to call in a professional. We can access your ductwork in a few different ways, including through the inside of your ductwork.
Routine Ductwork Inspections
It’s important to schedule a routine inspection of your ductwork periodically. This process should be done every three to five years. This gives our team the opportunity to spot any minor issues before they become major leaks that compromise your entire HVAC system. It’s easier to perform small repairs now rather than replace large sections of your ductwork later.
Considering the Age of Your Ductwork
Ductwork typically lasts around 15 to 25 years. Routine maintenance is key to extending the lifespan of your ducts. If you know that your ductwork is nearing the end of its useful life, it’s time to start paying extra attention to potential leaks. Ducts that are corroding or wearing out are much more prone to leaks. There may be some improvements that we can make to lengthen the lifespan of your ductwork, but we can also advise you if it’s time to start planning for replacement. This allows you to budget and plan accordingly for an upcoming HVAC project.
If you’d like to schedule professional service for your HVAC system, reach out to our team at True Climate Heat + Air. We’d be happy to provide you with assistance when you have HVAC air leak issues. We also install, repair, and maintain heating and cooling equipment of all kinds, including ductless mini-splits. We provide commercial services as well. Our team can even provide you with an indoor air quality assessment as well as address any IAQ issues you have by installing whole-house filtration. We also offer a variety of plumbing services. Contact True Climate Heat + Air today to find out more or to schedule an AC repair appointment in Edmond.
