According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the jury is still out on whether dirty (not moldy) ductwork contributes to serious respiratory problems such as asthma, allergies, and sinus infections in humans. There’s no debate, though, that blocked, dirty, and leaky ductwork can affect your home’s comfort level, increase energy bills, and damage the ducts themselves.

The EPA recommends you seriously consider having your home’s ductwork inspected, repaired, and/or cleaned if the following circumstances exist.

• There’s substantial, visible mold growth inside your ductwork or other components of your HVAC system. If mold is found, it’s important to get to the bottom of why the mold appeared in the first place. If those conditions aren’t corrected, mold growth can and will likely recur.
• The ducts are infested with vermin like insects or rodents.
• Ductwork is clogged with large amounts of dust, debris, and/or particles that make their way into your home through the supply registers.

Each of these conditions can be caused by a variety of underlying causes, which a professional heating and air professional can help you discover. A typical inspection will look at your coiling, fans, and heat exchangers to make sure all are in good working order and free of dirt and debris.

Other Ductwork Issues

If your home’s ductwork was in place when you bought the house, it’s possible you have a poorly designed duct system with improperly sized air ducts. This problem can cause the HVAC unit to overwork and decrease the efficiency of the system.

A professional might also discover your home has an insufficient or imbalanced number of supply and return vents. There should be enough vents to allow proper airflow throughout your home. If you have too few of either type vent, you’ll experience a comfort imbalance throughout the house.

Have a Professional Inspect Your Ductwork

While there are some smaller repairs and adjustments you can make yourself, ductwork inspections and repairs are generally best left to skilled and licensed professionals. As part of your scheduled regular preventative maintenance, ductwork inspection can help expose problems that can be difficult for a non-professional to identify and repair.

A well-maintained HVAC system can make a huge difference in your Jacksonville, FL home’s comfort level, so it’s always worth making the investment to ensure it’s running as efficiently as possible. To learn more about HVAC duct problems and how to keep your home’s system running at maximum efficiency, get in touch with David Gray Heating & Air today.