If you are like most homeowners, you might not give your home’s air ducts much thought until there is a problem. Issues with ductwork can increase the wear and tear on your HVAC equipment. The good thing is that your ducts will usually give you advance warning of a problem. The trick is knowing what those symptoms are. Here are three signs that could warn you when it’s time to have your ducts repaired or possibly replaced.
1. Noises Coming From Your Ducts
You might hear strange noises like whistling, banging or low humming when your heater or air conditioner turns on. These noises could be caused by excess air flow or uneven pressure within your ducts. Your ducts might even be carrying the sound of your HVAC system’s fan. Any strange noises from your ducts are a sign that a duct repair or cleaning may be needed.
2. Uneven Cooling or Heating Throughout Your Home
Have you ever noticed that the temperature throughout your home seems to vary from room to room? Uneven cooling or heating throughout your home could be caused by a closed or blocked vent. However, it could also indicate a different sort of problem. Your ductwork may have air leaks from holes, tears, cracks or loose joints. You might not have enough return vents, or they could be undersized. It’s also possible that debris collected in your ducts is blocking the flow of air.
3. An Unexplained Musty or Moldy Odor in Your Home
If you have a persistent musty or moldy smell in your home and you can see no obvious reason for it, the problem could be in your air ducts. The issue may intensify on hot days when you use your air conditioner. When cooled air passes through your ducts, it can cause condensation that helps feed the growth of any mold or mildew that could be living there. You might also see more dust than usual around your house. These are signs that it is time to have your ducts cleaned because the contaminants could spread throughout your HVAC system.
If you see any of these signs, the best way to deal with the problem is to contact Cooper Heating & Cooling for an inspection of your ducts. We provide a full range of duct repair and replacement services for residents in Denver, Fort Collins, and Colorado Springs. We also offer other heating and cooling services, including installation, maintenance, and repair.
Luke Cooper is the General Manager of the Cooper Green team and son of Gary Cooper, owner and CEO of Cooper HVAC. After years in the field, Luke took his talents to management and has helped thousands of Colorado homeowners during hot summers and frigid winters. His decade of experience in the field and guiding the company makes him one of the most knowledgeable individuals in Colorado on HVAC, plumbing, electrical and other home services.
