If you are a homeowner in the Hanover, MD area and are thinking of installing a new HVAC system, please do not neglect the importance of your air ducts. Air ducts are an integral part of a typical HVAC system, and their proper installation is too often an afterthought.
You need your air ducts installed correctly in order for your system to work properly, maintain the desired temperature, and have the rooms in your house heated or cooled evenly. For these reasons, and a number of others, having a local, trusted professional at Beltway Air Conditioning, Heating, & Plumbing to handle both your HVAC system and air duct installation is the smart move.
Let’s go through all the reasons why proper air duct installation is so important in greater detail.
Energy Efficiency
Your ductwork plays an important role in the optimization of your system’s energy consumption. If air ducts are not installed correctly or if a non-professional overlooks a design flaw, a notable amount of air can escape before it gets to where it should go. This winds up costing you more energy than it should and also reduces how effectively and efficiently your heating and cooling system is performing.
Compromised Indoor Air Quality
If there are holes or gaps in your air ducts due to poor installation, outside air can work its way into your home through these openings. This is problematic because this outside air can carry pollutants, allergens, dust, bacteria, and a wide range of other contaminants. When properly sealed, these particles are kept outside, preserving your indoor air quality. Not having your air ducts installed correctly so that they are well-sealed can affect your system performance and be detrimental to your health and that of your loved ones.
Comfort Consistency
Ductwork that has not been correctly installed can lead to the rooms of your home not being heated or cooled evenly. It can be blazingly warm in the kitchen, while it stays cold in a bedroom. That is because air ducts that are not expertly installed can lead to hot and cold spots throughout your home. This is due to an inability of your system to distribute the conditioned air properly. Expertly installed ductwork ensures that the airflow is balanced, keeping you and your family comfortable in every area of your home.
System Lifespan
An HVAC system is a major investment. When you spend money on a new system, you want to make sure that it is going to last you as long as possible. One of the problems with air ducts that are not installed the right way is that it forces your system to work harder. There is a strain on the system from having to compensate for any loss of conditioned air. Having to put in a greater effort than necessary to maintain a temperature can wind up shortening the lifespan of your system. This means more repairs and the need to replace your system sooner than you should have to.
Noise
Have you ever been in a home with air ducts that are noisy when the HVAC system is first engaged? A small amount of noise in ductwork is normal at the beginning of a cycle, but imagine your air ducts regularly making a racket at any time during your HVAC system operating. This could become highly disruptive and irritating.
Poorly installed air ducts can make a variety of sounds. These can include whistling, rattling, and even banging. They can be prominent and regular enough to even make it difficult to sleep. Correctly installing air ducts ensures that they are properly sized, sealed, and secure. This allows for optimal airflow and a minimum of restrictions, preventing strange sounds from occurring and allowing for a quieter and more peaceful home experience.
Signs of Poor Air Duct Installation
If you already have air ducts installed and are thinking they might be problematic, there are some clear signs to look out for to confirm your suspicion. Should you be experiencing one or more of the following symptoms of a poor air duct installation job, give our team a call and we can help remedy the situation.
High Energy Bills
If you have noticed excessive energy bills that appear to be unexplainable, it is worth having your air ducts looked at. It has been found that up to 20% of conditioned air can escape through leaks in improperly installed air ducts. This can translate to your HVAC system having to work harder and you winding up with higher energy bills.
Excessive Noise
If you are experiencing a large amount of the noises described earlier—ratting, banging, whistling, or other noises from your air ducts—this can be attributable to improper installation. These noises can result from poor connections and can end up causing a great deal of vibration that can accelerate wear on different components of your system.
Weakened Airflow
Improper air duct installation can cause a significant reduction in airflow. You can actually do simple and non-obtrusive tests for this at home on your own. Take a sheet of paper and place it over one of your vents. This will give an indication of how strong the air is that is blowing from or into the vent. When there is barely any movement or appears weak, this shows that there is an imbalance in your system. The root cause of this can be gaps in air ducts or bends that restrict airflow. You can repeat this test in all of the vents throughout your home.
Temperature That Is Uneven
Another way you can test the possibility of improperly installed air ducts is to engage your HVAC system, wait a couple of hours to give a chance for the whole home to get up to temperature, and see if there are hot or cold spots throughout. If this is the case, check to make sure all the vents are open, windows are closed, the shades are shut, and so on. There is also the possibility of this being an insulation issue. If it turns out that none of these other factors are contributing to the uneven temperature, your air ducts could be the reason.
Regular Breakdowns
As mentioned earlier, poorly installed air ducts can put major strain on your HVAC system. Not only does this cause a spike in your energy bill, but it can also cause enough damage to your system to necessitate constant repairs. If you have had to get repairs more often to your system and the reason appears to be unexplainable, it is worth having your air ducts inspected for an installation issue.
Your Hanover Air Duct Installation Experts
At Beltway Air Conditioning, Heating, & Plumbing, we want to make sure that your home is as comfortable as possible. That is why we have dedicated ourselves to ensuring that each home that we install air ducts for has the job done right. This commitment to quality customer service has made us the go-to for heating and cooling services in the area.
In fact, our experienced technicians have serviced thousands of homes in the community over the years. If you are not in Hanover and want to experience our exceptional services, do not fret. We bring our expertise in the areas of repairs, installations, and maintenance to the good people from Annapolis to Towson. We also provide duct cleaning services! We would love to hear from you, so give us a call today to find out if we serve your neighborhood.
