One of the most overlooked components of an HVAC system is its ducts. These sheet metal passageways are the system’s “veins,” distributing cool, comfortable air throughout your home. When AC ducts are damaged, they may not function correctly; this can cause a drop in your system’s efficiency, or worse, damage to your compressor. Below we’ll outline some potential clues that may indicate you have damage that needs repair.

• You see visible damage: While most ductwork resides in ceilings and walls, there are many places in your home where the ducts are accessible for visual inspection. If you happen to notice large dents or holes in the AC ducts, you should call a licensed HVAC contractor to assess the damage accurately.
• Uneven cooling power: If one register is providing good airflow, but another in the same zone seems weak and ineffective, you may have a clogged or leaking duct. Clogged ducts are rare, but so it’s most likely a leak that needs repair. Professionals have tools available to pinpoint and repair duct leaks efficiently with as little damage to your home as possible.
• Poof airflow: Similar to the clue above, but it means that every register in the zone is providing poor airflow to your home. This could be a sign of extensive damage or a disconnected duct.
• Higher energy bills: If you notice that your energy bills have suddenly increased and you haven’t changed your cooling habits, and the price of electricity hasn’t gone up, you may have a duct leak somewhere.

Fortunately, most AC duct damage can be repaired without having to replace the entire network. A qualified, professional HVAC technician has the tools available to accurately diagnose and repair any duct damage you may have.

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