Impact of Duct Leaks On Your Heating System

One of the ways that your air conditioning system can be crippled is through duct leakage. Leaks in forced air duct systems are a major source of energy waste. In fact, they can cause air loss of up to 20% if not addressed. This forces your HVAC system to work harder and consume more power every minute it is activated.

Ducts are an important aspect of HVAC maintenance and function, as they are meant to transport air that is heated or cooled throughout a home. It is a branching network of tubes in walls, floors, and ceilings that are made of sheet metal, fiberglass, and other materials. 

The bigger the home, the more extensive its network of ducts will be. This increases the chances of improperly connected ducts, holes, and other causes of leaks. However, it is in attics, garages, basements, and crawl spaces where leaks most commonly occur. 

The many problems it can cause

As we have mentioned before, your HVAC system would have to work harder and more intensely if ducts occur. If heated or cooled air escapes from your ducts, it is harder for your HVAC system to maintain comfortable temperatures no matter the season. Though the added costs may seem small at first, they can stack up to hundreds of dollars every year depending on the size of your home. 

Not only that, but the added strain on your air conditioning system might increase the need to call HVAC companies to repair your A/C, no matter how new it might be. 

Problems with air quality

When a duct network has holes and leaks, the ducts tend to suck up dust, dirt, and other contaminants. If the leak is in a crawl space or an attic, this means a lot of dust getting sucked up and redistributed throughout your home. This can cause serious health concerns, as well as putting severe stress on your filters. 

In time, this build-up could facilitate the growth of mold and bacteria in your house, which is an expensive problem nobody wants to have. Molds are especially difficult to remove from a duct system, as they often grow deep within the walls of a home. Not only that, but spores spread throughout the system quickly and are hard to remove, necessitating processional repairs and cleaning.

Backdrafts

Vented appliances like gas furnaces and water heaters are designed with their own vents to ensure that any fumes are released outdoors instead of in your home, but leaky ducts might send these dangerous gases right back into your home. It isn’t just smoke that can be reabsorbed into the household, but carbon monoxide and other deadly fumes. 

Final thoughts

The problem with duct leakage is that it is often very difficult to detect until it is too late. You might suddenly find that your energy bills have spiked, mold has begun to grow in various parts of your home, and that you and your family are experiencing respiratory problems at an increased rate. 

As such, it is important to enlist in the services of an HVAC maintenance company such as Comfort Specialist Services in Toronto. We offer same-day services and can bring comfort back into your home.