You don’t get to see the air ducts operate all the time since they are concealed behind the walls and ceilings. However, this doesn’t mean that they do not require your attention, at least from time to time. These ducts do deserve timely cleaning and maintenance to keep stubborn clogs at bay. And this is because damaged or malfunctioning ductwork in your AC can disrupt the indoor climate and influence your wellbeing. This makes it imperative to know the elements that might damage the air ducts.
So in the first place, you have to make sure to carry out timely air duct cleaning in Miami to keep the system properly functional. Most households prefer reaching out to one of the established HVAC experts like Direct Air Conditioning for routine maintenance services.
What is the function of air ducts in your AC?
The duct system in your AC encompasses a network of tubes through which the warm and cool air circulates. Also, the conditioned air reaches every corner of your interiors through a properly functional duct system.
The ducts carry two types of air: supply air and return air. While the system draws the supply air inside, the return air is expelled into the environment. The function of the duct system is to prevent the contamination of air. It filters out the dirty air outside, removing pollen, dirt, and dust. This ensures that the indoor air remains clean and healthy.
In case you have leakages in your duct system, these external contaminants find their way to the indoor air. As a result, your family members might experience asthmatic or allergic symptoms. This explains why reputed HVAC experts like Direct Air Conditioning recommend timely duct inspection and cleaning.
How do your air ducts sustain damage?
Damage to the air ducts in your AC can happen due to several factors. Let’s explore some of the most common aspects that damage air ducts.
1. Natural aging
Air ducts contain a soft flex material and sometimes plastic or a harder metal. All these materials are susceptible to natural wear and tear. Upon continual use, it is natural for the ducts to give way. As the hot and cold air runs through these ducts, they undergo routine expansion and contraction. Over time, the material turns brittle, eventually causing gaps, holes, and cracks.
With regular cleaning and maintenance, a sound duct system should serve you at least ten to twelve years. Professional HVAC contractors inspect the health of your air ducts during their routine services.
2. Dirt accumulation
The air ducts in your AC continually remain under pressure, circulating conditioned air indoors. So, it’s natural for air ducts to accumulate dirt, dust, and pollen. These contaminants, along with germs and grime, clog the narrow pathway. This obstructs the cooled or heated air from reaching their respective destination. Moreover, clogged air vents cause the contaminants to circulate indoors, leading to allergies. At the same time, clogged vents make the compressor work harder.
There’s no preventive mechanism to stop dirt from accumulating in the vents. All you need to do is to follow up on the routine maintenance schedule and get them cleaned.
3. Pest or rodent attacks
The damp and musty ductwork might be home to rodents and pests. These perils often munch the soft walls of the ducts, leading to leaks. Even if they don’t make holes, a pest or rodent infestation can structurally weaken the ducts. So, if you come across squeaky noises from the walls or your AC, hire an HVAC technician to get the system inspected at the earliest.
Remember, rats in the ducts can find their way into the central cooling unit and damage its parts. The sooner you inspect and repair the ductwork, the lower your expense will be.
4. Accidental damage
Accidental damage can lead to leaks in your AC ducts. Storms and thundershowers often inflict such damage, eventually smashing the ducts. So, if you notice a malfunctioning AC or notice any visible damage, contact established HVAC contractors.
In case the damage is isolated, the professionals can replace a specific chunk of the ductwork. Then they would seal this part along with the existing system.
5. Wrong designing
A faulty design or installation of your AC can inflict damage to the AC ducts. Remember, the air in the ductwork should be travelling through the shortest distance from one point to another. The airflow can get restricted if there are too many sharp bends or obstacles. This would also exert unnecessary pressure on your AC.
Sometimes, the problem lies in the improper size of the ducts, leading to higher energy consumption. Both these issues come under the category of design problems in your ductwork. Working with reliable HVAC professionals, you can find a viable solution to these issues when working with reliable HVAC professionals.
6. Poor sealing
The grills and registers in your AC need proper sealing to prevent leakages. In case the registers do not have proper sealing, the conditioned air would reach places where you don’t need it. As a result, your AC would be working overtime, causing high energy bills to bite your wallet. Moreover, your AC would undergo unnecessary pressure, which can rob the system of its lifeline significantly.
Unless you have your AC ducts adequately sealed, pests and rodents can find their way. This leads to further complications like internal damage to your AC.
Endnote
The secret to prolonging the durability of your air ducts is to service the network regularly. Whether you hire HVAC professionals for a pre-summer tune-up or regular maintenance services, make sure that they inspect the vents and ducts. A dysfunctional air duct in your AC can lead to a plethora of health complications.
The very purpose of installing an AC at your home or workplace is to ensure the flow of pure indoor air. Leaking or damaged vents contaminate the air, rendering the reason for installing your AC useless. This justifies why experienced HVAC professionals like Direct Air Conditioning prioritize cleaning your vents regularly. With professional assistance on your side, maintaining properly functional vents shouldn’t be an issue.
