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Have you noticed a change in your home? Maybe your air quality isn’t what it used to be. Perhaps your energy bill is all of what it used to be and more. The cause of these issues could be smaller than you expect; it could be a nearly imperceptible leak in your air ducts.
Although a small air duct leak is not something that you’re going to spot with the naked eye, there are a few telltale signs that point to a ductwork leak.
Leaky air ducts account for a significant portion of energy loss in the home. You can lose as much as 20% of your heating and cooling energy due to leakage. If you notice an increase in your energy bills, a ductwork leak could be the culprit and air ducts need to be checked.
Some dust is normal in a home, but if you notice that your house is much dustier than usual, it could mean a ductwork leak. This is partially due to the poor air circulation caused by inefficient and leaky air ducts and partially due to damaged ducts picking up dust from the air and distributing them throughout the house.
When it comes to your heating and air, if something is going wrong you can feel it. If your space suddenly starts feeling stuffy or you find that you aren’t able to heat or cool certain rooms like you used to, it could mean that you have a ductwork leak.
Don’t fret too much if you suspect that you have a ductwork leak, as it’s not terribly difficult or expensive to fix. This project should ideally be done by a professional, however, as doing it wrong will lead to more problems.
First, you need to gauge the air pressure in the duct by covering up any air vents and attaching a specialized duct blaster fan to a section of flexible duct, then measure the pressure with a manometer.
If the pressure is significantly lower than expected, you’ve pretty much confirmed the air leak. The next step is blowing smoke into the duct and checking the duct joints to see where the major leakage is occurring.
Once you’ve located the leaks, it’s simply a matter of sealing them off. The whole process will take a few hours, maybe more, depending on the size and complexity of your heating system.
We must stress again that while the process itself isn’t overly complex, it does require specialized equipment and knowledge. Hiring a professional will ensure all leaks are found the first time and will save you time and money in the long run.
Ball Building Services works in the Tampa Bay area as well as Central Florida to provide quality, affordable ductwork modification and repair services to both commercial and residential clients. Please contact us today to get the ball rolling on repairing or replacing your ductwork.