Is Your Home’s Ductwork Costing You Extra Money?

Most homes in Davidson, NC use a ductwork system to distribute heated and cooled air from the HVAC system to each room in the house. Leaky ductwork could be wasting up to 30% of the energy used by your HVAC system, notes Energy Star. Here’s how to tell whether or not your home’s ducts are costing you extra money and how ductwork services can help.

Insufficient Insulation

Poorly insulated air ducts allow heated or cooled air to leak into unused parts of your home, such as the attic, crawlspace, or space between walls. Your HVAC system will have to work harder to reach the temperature setting on your thermostat, so it will use more energy and cost you more money.

Gaps and Cracks

Even a tiny gap or crack in your home’s ductwork allows the warmed or cooled air to seep out before it reaches your living space. This wasted energy interferes with your comfort and causes your air conditioner or heater to perform extra cycles in order to reach your desired indoor temperature.

Blockages

Over years of regular use, dust and dirt can build up in your ductwork. This buildup reduces airflow, which ultimately costs you money. Vermin can also get into your home’s ductwork. If they build a nest, this blockage interferes with airflow and makes your HVAC system work harder to heat or cool your home.

Poor Design

Older homes may have unusual ductwork configurations. Extra corners, turns, and splits reduce airflow and make your heater or air conditioner run more cycles to reach your preferred indoor temperature. The more splits, twists, and turns in your ductwork’s design, the less efficient it is. A simpler ductwork design, such as a radial setup made with round, flexible ducts, is the most energy-efficient solution.

To find out if your home’s ductwork is costing you extra money, check out Lakeside Heating & Air Conditioning’s ductwork services, or contact our professional HVAC company today.