A problem with the home’s heating and cooling can fill any homeowner with dread. Repairs can be costly, and replacing an entire heating and cooling system is even more expensive. The problem, however, might not be with your system at all. Your air ducts can cause a host of issues you may not even have realized were duct-related.
- If something doesn’t smell right, it could be the ducts. Sometimes, insects or rodents get into your air ducts. When that happens, they leave deposits or, worse, die, and that can lead to extremely unpleasant odors. Another odor-causer is moisture because when it builds up in your ducts, it can lead to mold or mildew growth.
- If your heating and cooling are uneven, look to the ducts. If some parts of your home feel cold and others feel hot and stuffy, you may have leaky ducts. Leaking ducts allow air to escape rather than being properly circulated. They can also cause poor airflow which will mean that the temperature won’t feel right.
- Leaky ducts can suck dirt and debris into your air filters. If your air filters are clogging more frequently than they usually do, it may be a problem with the ducts. When debris or pollutants are clogging your ducts, your air filters will clog no matter rigidly you adhere to the proper schedule for changing them.
- Strange noises in your heating and cooling system sometimes mean a duct problem. While certain noises indicate a mechanical problem, whistling and popping may mean that your ducts have cracks or leaks.