If something is wrong with the air conditioner, everyone looks at the air conditioning unit first. And that’s more than fair: over-used air filters, worn moving parts, and chemicals are the usual culprits behind most HVAC malfunctions. But ignoring your ducts can lead to some problems over time. If you’re starting to get the feeling that your air conditioning system isn’t working as well as it used to, here are three warning signs you should have a professional examine the ducts.
1. You can hear localized noises coming out of the ducts.
Air conditioners make some noise even under the best of circumstances. This makes diagnosing air conditioning problems by sound alone difficult. Try to dismiss the whirring or slight clunking sound you can hear if you press your ear close to a vent, especially if it seems to be echoing from the direction of your central system. Instead, listen for closer clanks, rustling, and the sound of metal rubbing against metal. If you hear any of these sounds in one air duct but not another, ask an expert to take a look.
2. The vents are blowing air unequally.
HVAC experts try to design systems that reach every room equally. But everyone’s house has a room or two that gets either not enough air or too much. If you’re familiar with your house’s air cycles, you can pick up when the pattern changes when you’re looking for it. Even if it’s a new house or you’ve never registered any differences before, a sharp drop-off from one room to another is a strong sign that the ducts are part of the problem.
3. You have had water damage recently.
A busted pipe or a leaky roof does more than damage drywall, wood, and insulation. It just takes a bit longer for the damage to show up in the ductwork. Water can make ducts rust, especially near rivet points and the seams. If you recently had to do some water-related repairs, the after-effects of the leak may have corroded the metal enough to cause less air circulation.
If any of these points match your situation, go to Texas Air Tech for a technician who can get your ducts back into working order.