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When Should You Replace Your Air Ducts?

How To Tell When Your Home Needs Air Duct Replacement

The home is meant to be a place of comfort and safety, so when the HVAC system or other systems in the house start to malfunction, this jeopardizes the home and the comfort of those living there. 

Air ducts are a component of the HVAC system that need regular maintenance and eventually will need to be replaced. But how do homeowners know when it’s the right time for air duct replacement? This article can help answer that question. 

How Old Is the Ductwork?

aging duct tape

Unfortunately, things break down as they age. It’s just a fact of life. Cars break down more frequently when they get older and the color of the living room couch will fade over time. HVAC system components will experience some breakdowns as they age too. 

On average, air ducts last between 10-15 years. For that amount of time, they should not experience problems in delivering clean air throughout the home. However, once they start to grow closer to that benchmark, they can start to deteriorate. That’s a major sign it’s time to replace the air ducts.

Are Utility Bills High?

coins close to the house

One of the telltale signs of malfunctioning air ducts is high utility bills. If the air ducts are leaking or deteriorating, they become less efficient. Less efficient ductwork leads to wasted energy from trying to push air through leaking or malfunctioning ducts. In the end, this results in high utility bills. 

However, some may just glance at the amount to see how much they need to pay. Some may not even see the amount at all if it’s withdrawn automatically. Therefore, homeowners are encouraged to take a deeper look at their utilities and start to plot out how much they cost each month. Doing so helps homeowners spot trends in their bills. 

Is There Poor Indoor Air Quality?

man crossing his arms

Sometimes, the best way to tell if the air ducts need to be replaced is to pay attention to the air quality in the home. And that means breathing with intention, looking for anything that seems strange. 

Here are a few common signs of poor indoor air quality:

  • Headache
  • Fatigue or dizziness
  • Allergic reactions, including coughing or sneezing
  • Dryness and irritation of the nose or throat
  • Unpleasant odors
  • High amounts of dust
  • Growing mold and mildew

If homeowners notice any of these signs, it’s time to seek professional help. It could be the air ducts or another component of the HVAC system that isn’t working properly and needs to be repaired. In order to keep everyone in the house comfortable, safe, and happy, it’s critical that homeowners pay attention to these signs and take action when they occur.

About Albritton Service Co

Albritton Service Company was founded in 1982 and has continually grown by offering excellent services and dedication to its customers at a price local homeowners can agree on. Their team always provides truly hassle-free heating, cooling, and electrical services across Ruston, LA